USS Santa Barbara Makes First Visit to Colombo

US Navy Ship USS Santa Barbara Makes First Colombo Visit

by Dithmini De Silva 16-08-2025 | 7:48 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st):

USS Santa Barbara, an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship and part of the U.S. 7th Fleet, docked at the Port of Colombo this morning for its first-ever port call.

The 7th Fleet commands the world’s largest forward-deployed fleet, tasked with operational control and planning in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, while promoting regional stability and maritime security through engagements with allies and partners.

Christened on October 16, 2021, the visit of USS Santa Barbara to Sri Lanka, marks its first ever port call to Colombo.

The ship’s brief stop in Colombo is intended for refueling and resupplying before continuing its mission.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, together with Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, and Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, visited the Port of Colombo this morning, to tour the USS Santa Barbara.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, said the arrival of USS Santa Barbara reflects the strong and growing partnership between the two nations. Highlighting Sri Lanka’s strategic role in the Indian Ocean, she praised joint efforts to combat threats like drug trafficking and human smuggling, and noted that the US will provide a fourth cutter later this year to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s maritime security, underscoring their shared commitment to a free and secure region.

With a length of 127.5 meters, USS Santa Barbara is currently operating as part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 and conducts regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities.