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DILI, Timor-Leste –
The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82)
departed Dili, Timor-Leste Jan. 29 after a scheduled port visit that
brought Sailors into contact with the local culture through various
community relations (COMREL) projects Jan. 26-29.
The crew of Lassen hit the ground running with a COMREL within hours
of dropping anchor off the coast of the island country. The first
COMREL was at the Missionary Dominican Sisters of the Rosary
orphanage, where Sailors delivered toys and sweets to the children.
“Everybody was running around and having a good time,” said
Storekeeper 2nd Class (SW) Nakeia Golden, from Savannah, Ga. “Being
out there having fun and supporting [the citizens] made it a great
experience.”
“The interactions also helped overcome the language barrier,” she
added.
The crew of Lassen was also invited to celebrate Australia Day, the
Australian equivalent to American Independence Day. The highlight
was a tug-of-war competition among members and contractors of the
Australian Army, Lassen Sailors, and members of various regional
forces of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) and United
Nations Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). American service members
interacted with their counterparts from the defense forces of both
Australia and Timor-Leste throughout the port visit, conducting
training on damage control and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)
techniques.
“It was an honor to be invited to attend Australia Day,” said
Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class (NAC) Hadley Dykes, from
Denver. “It was a great opportunity to meet and greet some of the
people from the other services and countries we work with.”
The major COMREL was at the Comoro Intermediate School, where Lassen
Sailors spent three days repairing equipment and beautifying
classrooms. The Sailors painted the interior and exterior of the
classroom buildings and cleaned windows, desks, and other areas of
the school grounds.
Damage Controlman Fireman Gabriel Alcaine, from San Jose, Calif.,
made a particularly lasting impact on the school, fixing a water
pump that had been broken for more than a year, providing running
water to the students. Alcaine was originally born and raised in El
Salvador and said he understands what it’s like to live in poor
conditions.
“I know what it’s like to grow up in the conditions that these kids
have to live with everyday,” said Alcaine. “So, if providing running
water to the school will bring even a little bit of happiness, then
that makes me feel like I’m making a difference.”
The crew also distributed Project Handclasp pallets of medical
supplies, infant care supplies, and sports equipment to a local
charity. The supplies will be used to help the citizens of Dili.
During the last evening, Lassen hosted José Manuel Ramos-Horta, the
President of Timor-Leste, for an onboard reception.
“I feel proud that Lassen is representing the United States to the
people of Timor-Leste,” said Lt. j.g. Thomas Brewer, of Aiken, S.C.
“It’s not everyday that you host a head of state aboard a U.S.
warship. I was honored.”
“The crew has left a huge and lasting footprint, accomplishing great
feats throughout the city, and I take pride in being able to say
that. They worked hard to make the city a better place for the
citizens of Timor-Leste,” said Cmdr. Anthony Simmons, commanding
officer of Lassen.
“In America, we know that a good education is critical to realizing
your dreams. Success starts at the schoolhouse door, so we feel that
we’ve directly contributed to a prosperous future for the kids in
Timor-Leste,” he said.
Lassen is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and is forward-deployed
to Yokosuka, Japan. Operating in the Western Pacific and the Indian
Ocean, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed
U.S. fleets covering 48 million square miles, with approximately
60-70 ships, 200-300 aircraft, and 40,000 Sailors and Marines
assigned at any given time. |
