HACHINOHE, JAPAN – USS Curtis
Wilbur (DDG 54) pulled into Hachinohe, Japan Jan. 25 for a four day
port visit. The Aegis-class destroyer’s Sailors got a chance to
enjoy some rest and relaxation while helping strengthen ties between
Japanese and U.S. forces.
“The men and women of Curtis Wilbur look forward to experiencing
Hachinohe and the beauty of Northern Japan,” said Cmdr. Brian
O’Donnell, ship’s commanding officer, during a welcome ceremony by
the city of Hachinohe.
The Sailors from Curtis Wilbur received a warm welcome from the
people of Hachinohe. The welcome ceremony included remarks from
O’Donnell and Shoichi Hachimoto, chairman of the Hachinohe chamber
of commerce. The city presented the crew with two bouquets of
flowers and Yawata Uma, the traditional local toy horse of Hachinohe.
After the welcoming ceremony O’Donnell visited many local Japanese
officials. His meetings included the Mayor of Hachinohe Makoto
Kobayashi and Rear Adm. Yasuhiro Shigeoka of the Japanese Maritime
Self-Defense Force, commander of Hachinohe Air Base. On Jan. 25, the
ship hosted a reception and tours guests from the city of Hachinohe
and the JMSDF air base.
O’Donnell was not the only person with the chance to meet the local
Japanese people.
“While in port, approximately 300 crewmembers will have a chance to
participate in friendship-building activities with the local
community, as well as enjoy the local attractions like skiing and
onsens,” said Public Affairs Officer Ens. Stephanie Krueger.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation provided several ski and snowboarding
trips. Crewmembers also partook in a tour of Amori and visited the
hot spring resorts in the area. Sailors will also be spending time
sightseeing and enjoying some local Japanese cuisine. The ship
hosted Boy Scouts from Misawa Air Base on Jan. 27 and was open for
tours throughout their time in Hachinohe.
“My crew always enjoys opportunities to visit cities throughout
Japan and experience the different aspects of this fascinating
country and its people,” said O’Donnell. “By visiting this wonderful
city, I hope to see the relationship between our two countries and
the Sailors of the two maritime forces grow stronger,” he added.
Curtis Wilbur operates from Yokosuka, Japan as part of Destroyer
Squadron 15’s forward deployed naval forces.
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