Thirty-five students and 15 teachers from the Lochmaben Roman Catholic School in Cedros toured the Arleigh Burke-class USS Gravely (DDG-107) on October 27th at Port of Spain, following the completion of recent infrastructure upgrades and donations to their school by United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). The students and their teachers got an exclusive tour of the ship hosted by the Gravely’s sailors and leadership.
USS Gravely is moored in Port of Spain as part of the United States’ longstanding partnership with Trinidad and Tobago, and in support of side-by-side training between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF) to strengthen regional security cooperation.
USSOUTHCOM has built a relationship of goodwill with the Lochmaben Roman Catholic School. U.S. Naval Construction Battalion Sailors, or Navy Seabees as they are commonly called, completed critical infrastructure upgrades in August 2025 at the school during Operation Continuing Promise and the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) visit to Trinidad and Tobago. The Seabees’ work on the school included structural repairs to the school building, and water, sewage system, and electrical system improvements.
In September, USSOUTHCOM through the U.S. Embassy donated educational materials and equipment to the school, including 13 computers, one printer, office furniture, and educational resources to enhance learning opportunities for students.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz said, “The opportunity for these children and their teachers to get a personal guided tour of the USS Gravely exemplifies the deep ties between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. It was an absolute pleasure to meet the kids and their teachers on board—they asked great questions and their presence on board was a delight for our sailors. The visit was another example of how our U.S. military partners with Trinidad and Tobago military and civilian institutions alike to strengthen communities and build resilience.”
Beverley Findley, Principal 1 Primary of Lochmaben Roman Catholic School, said she and the school’s staff and students were grateful to the U.S. Embassy for the “remarkable educational opportunities, vital assistance, learning materials, equipment, and technological resources.” She called the Gravely tour a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” that broadened the horizons of the students and provided them with lasting memories.
Gravely’s visit comes on the heels of other USSOUTHCOM engagements in Trinidad and Tobago in 2025, including the USNS Comfort’s medical and humanitarian mission in August, and the Tradewinds exercise co-hosted with the TTDF in April and May.
