Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) concluded a port go to in Sattahip, Thailand, October 11. The port go to demonstrated the U.S. dedication to regional partnerships, and helped foster rising relationships, in addition to supplied Sailors the chance to loosen up and revel in Thailand’s tradition, delicacies and unique points of interest. Whereas in port, crew members had the chance to take part in excursions sponsored by Higgins’ Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division, together with a tiger park, elephant using and snorkeling. Sailors had been capable of spend time laughing and enjoying with youngsters from The Drop-In Heart, one of many tasks of the Human Assist Basis in Pattaya which hosts about 85 youngsters a day from neighboring nations whose dad and mom are day laborers in Thailand; the Little one Safety and Growth Heart and the Father Ray Basis.
“Everybody on Higgins was enthusiastic about visiting Thailand and our cease in Sattahip exceeded all expectations,” mentioned Cmdr. Joseph McGettigan, commanding officer of USS Higgins. “The Royal Thai Fleet Commander was a gracious host and took implausible care of Higgins and our Canadian and Australian counterparts. It was an honor to spend time with representatives from the Thai Royal Fleet and deepen our relationship with one in every of our oldest allies within the area. The crew was additionally capable of take pleasure in some relaxation for a number of days and discover the superb meals and tradition of Thailand.”
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“We wished to ensure the crew had a number of choices to select from so they’d have the chance to see as a lot of Thailand as attainable for the quick time we had been there,” mentioned Higgins’ MWR President Navy Counselor 1st Class Daniela Kobayashi. “All of us have a busy workload whereas we’re out at sea which makes it troublesome to plan how we’re going to spend our time whereas in port. Being able to only join a pre-planned tour or journey made it straightforward for Sailors to do and see all of the thrilling issues Thailand has to supply. We acquired nice suggestions from everybody who participated.”
“COMRELs present a possibility for our Sailors to look after and serve the individuals of our host nation in addition to the prospect to be launched to this lovely nation and see it and her individuals by means of new eyes,” mentioned Command Chaplain Lt. Matthew Moynihan. “Occasions like these permit us to place a face to these we stand to guard. This weekend, these faces had been the fantastic youngsters we had been supporting. We performed outside video games and led them in a ‘Junior Sailor’ qualifying occasion. On the finish we offered every little one a certificates granting them the honorary rank of Junior Sailor. Our crew now depart right here with a higher consciousness for these their labors affect and a brand new appreciation of the individuals and nation of Thailand.”
USS Higgins (DDG-76) is a United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer (flight II). Higgins is the twenty sixth ship of her class, and the fifteenth of the category to be constructed by Tub Iron Works of Tub, Maine. She was commissioned at a ceremony in Port Everglades, Florida on 24 April 1999. Development started on 14 November 1996 and he or she was launched and christened on 4 October 1997. Higgins is assigned to Commander, Job Drive 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. seventh fleet’s principal floor pressure. U.S. seventh Fleet is the most important forward-deployed fleet on this planet, and with the assistance of a community of alliances and companions from 35 different maritime-nations, the U.S. Navy has operated within the Indo-Pacific area for greater than 70 years, offering credible, prepared forces to assist protect peace and stop battle.
