USS Shoups’ Congressional Visit

by Petty Officer 2nd Class Riley Black

14 September 2023
YOKOSUKA, Japan – Members of the U.S. House of Representatives from various districts toured the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) and met with the crew in Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 6.

The representatives included: Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss., Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., and Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Tex., of the House Armed Services Committee; Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., of the House Appropriations Committee; Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Tex., of the House Financial Services Committee; and Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The visit provided an opportunity for the congressional members and Sailors to discuss a variety of topics ranging from national security to the food served onboard.

“It was exciting to meet with representatives from a variety of districts throughout the United States,” said Lt. Matthew Heimer, weapons officer aboard Shoup. “We enjoyed interacting with our nation’s leaders and were proud to show them the capabilities of a patrol-ready destroyer.”

During the visit, the congressional members toured the ship and saw the pilot house, combat information center, and engineering spaces.

“The Shoup crew had an excellent opportunity to highlight their efforts as part of 7th Fleet to our elected representatives,” said Command Master Chief Sean Baney. “Hosting the visit gave our shipmates the chance to share their experiences with the decision makers from the highest level of government, and I couldn’t be more proud of the way our crew represented their professionalism and the fighting spirit of the Navy.”

Shoup is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71. CTF 71 exercises tactical control of assigned surface ships to plan, direct, and monitor presence operations, standing theater security missions and multilateral exercises with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. CTF 71 harnesses the surface force's full spectrum of operational capabilities to execute 7th Fleet missions and defend national interests.