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JAKARTA, Indonesia – Sailors from 7th Fleet flagship USS
Blue Ridge (LCC 19), embarked 7th Fleet staff and Marines assigned
to Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific arrived in Jakarta for
a port visit, strengthening bonds between the American and
Indonesian navies and governments, May 11.
Blue Ridge was last in Jakarta April 2010, establishing goodwill and
maintaining relationships throughout the region. During this port
visit, Blue Ridge intends to do the same through community service,
sporting events with host country nationals and interacting with the
community.
"Visits like this allow us to continue to strengthen our
relationship and share similar interest through our professionalism
and personal interactions," said Blue Ridge Executive Officer, Lt.
Cmdr. Kevin Ralston. "This development is critical because Blue
Ridge and the Indonesian navy have collaborated on major
humanitarian assistance operations, including the December 2004
tsunami and the September 2009 earthquake.
Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet staff Sailors will join locals during
community outreach projects in Jakarta. Events include visiting a
children's home and and participating in various sporting events.
The 7th Fleet band will also perform and some of the crew will spend
their spare time experiencing Jakarta's culture, shopping and food.
"I've never been to this port before so I'm not sure what to
expect," said Engineman Fireman Jonnary Pagan. "That's what makes it
so intriguing for me. I just keep an open mind about every new place
I go so I'm always learning from the cultures I experience." |
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