KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The U.S. Navy is bringing a ship to Kodiak’s city dock tomorrow morning, according to Senior Chief Petty Officer Brandon Raile from Alaskan Command Public Affairs. Raile declined to state the name of the ship, because, he said, the Navy doesn’t want to disclose specific ship movements. However, the city dock, or Pier 2, is meant for larger boats and cruise ships, giving some indication of the size of the vessel.
Raile did confirm it would be in port for “a couple of days,” to give sailors a chance to experience a bit of Alaska and work on some community service projects in Kodiak.
The ship is a part of an ongoing naval exercise this month known as the Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise, involving some 3,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel across Southcentral Alaska and the Aleutians. According to a September 2 press release, the exercise is to prepare joint forces to respond to crises in the Indo-Pacific region, and to practice logistical capabilities in the Arctic environment.
City mayor Pat Branson is expected to meet with the ship’s captain tomorrow afternoon. The Navy will welcome the public for tours of the ship on Wednesday.
KMXT will have updates on Tuesday with photographs of the ship and more information about the public event.
