USS Abraham Lincoln Hosts Reception During Port Visit in Malaysia

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Murphy, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
Posted: October 12, 2010

PORT KLANG, Malaysia – USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) welcomed aboard more than 300 distinguished visitors and dignitaries from Malaysia and the surrounding region during a reception Oct. 9.
 

PORT KLANG, Malaysia - Capt. John D. Alexander, commanding officer of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), and Rear Adm. Mark D. Guadagnini, commander, Carrier Strike Group 9, greet guests to an arrival reception in Lincoln's hangar bay. The reception is a demonstration of the continuing relationship between the United States and Malaysia. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Eric S. Powell) | Download

Guests included commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk; U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, Paul W. Jones; Commander of Naval Education and Training of the Royal Malaysian Navy, Rear Adm. Musa Bin Omar, and other distinguished guests.

Omar expressed his gratitude for Lincoln's visit to Malaysia and said he hopes this trip will continue as a long-lasting partnership between the two countries.

The reception, which was hosted in the ship's hangar bay, featured a buffet dinner and a live musical performance by Lincoln Sailors. Guests had the opportunity to mingle with many of the crew during the reception and ask questions about life aboard an aircraft carrier.

"It amazes me how many (Sailors) are on this ship," said Bonita Saarela, wife of Tapio Saarela, the Finnish Ambassador to Malaysia. "I have been on many of the American ships that pull in here, and I never imagined how self sufficient this one is."

While in Kuala Lumpur Lincoln Sailors are participating in several community service projects as well as experiencing the Malaysian culture through Morale Welfare and Recreation tours.

"I'm glad the Sailors are given the opportunity to get out and enjoy the great warmth and hospitality of what Malaysia has to offer," said Jones. "We have a tremendous relationship and growing partnership with Malaysia that has a lot of opportunity before us; I am very optimistic and pleased to be a part of it."

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is currently in the U.S. 7th Fleet's area of responsibility as part of a routine deployment to promote peace, cooperation and stability in the region.

Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group consists of flagship USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, San Diego-based guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), and the embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9.

Ships assigned to DESRON 9 include the Everett-based destroyers Momsen (DDG 92) and Shoup (DDG 86), as well as USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).