Video: USS Barry to stay until January 9

The crew of the USS Barry are enjoying their stay in Malta and had a great time in Paceville last night, the ship’s captain, Commander Douglas L. Edson, told media personnel during a press tour this afternoon.

The ship arrived yesterday afternoon and will be staying here until January 9. Its visit marks the 100th anniversary of the “Great White Fleet,” a historic US Navy goodwill voyage around the world that included a stop in Malta.

The voyage reached the Mediterranean in December 1908 and offered invaluable assistance during the devastating earthquake which hit Messina at that time. It then spent between January 14 and 19, 1909 in Malta.

The ship in Malta now is the second in the Arleigh Burke class of Aegis guided missile destroyers. Its mission is to conduct sustained combat operations at sea, providing primary protection for carrier, amphibious and surface strike groups.

It conducts air defence, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and strike operations in support of peacetime presence and crisis management as well as sea control and power projection.

The ship, built 17 years ago, has been conducting operations in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea for the past five months.

In keeping with the US Navy tradition, members of the crew will be doing voluntary work with local charitable institutions during their stay. The ship will not be open to the public.