An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | March 30, 2016

Harpers Ferry Sailors Bid Farewell to Hong Kong

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Eshleman

HONG KONG (NNS) -- Dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) departed Hong Kong following a successful port visit, March 25.

The visit allowed Sailors and Marines the opportunity to experience culture, cuisine, people and landscape of the city, while exploring in their own groups and during Morale, Welfare and Recreation tours organized by the ship's MWR committee.

"It was so cool to be able to experience the incredible diversity in culture, one second you're walking in a modern city and the next you're in a local market or coming across a temple or monument," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Matthew Gentile.

In addition to MWR tours, the crew had the opportunity to participate in cultural exchanges coordinated by the ship's chaplain and to interact with local youth and children at the G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College, Cheerland Nursery School Kindergarten, and CMA Choi Cheung Kok Secondary School.

"It was incredible to see how much simply playing and reading with these children improved their day," said Information Technician 3rd Class Megan Ellison, who participated in the cultural exchange. "That experience was the highlight of my Hong Kong port visit."

The crew also did a subject-matter expert exchange with the Hong Kong Marine Police Harbor division to practice visit, board, search and seizure tactics.

According to the ship's Chief Master-at-Arms Jose Cruzalvarez, the Sailors and Marines conducted themselves professionally, and successfully upheld the image of good order and discipline that the ship promotes while in port.

"The crew of Harpers Ferry continued its record of successful operations by viewing liberty as a mission and enjoying Hong Kong without any liberty incidents," said Cruzalvarez.

Since leaving San Diego Feb. 12, Harpers Ferry has conducted operations in the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations to include participation in Exercise Ssang Yong 16. v

Harpers Ferry is part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The Boxer ARG, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit team is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security efforts in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,201
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

AUKUS Trilateral Statement
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - The Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia; the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom; and Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense,...

U.S., India launch Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024
Courtesy Photo
March 21, 2024 - Indian and U.S. combined armed forces began Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024 with the arrival of amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), March 18 and an opening ceremony March 19.This is the third time U.S. and...

USACE: Ensuring Safety Every Step of the Way
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work in Japan for all military services and agencies. With over 60 years of experience in designing and constructing facilities in Japan, JED possesses the experience in Japanese standards and specifications, regulations, construction practices, maintenance requirements, and culture needed to ensure facilities are built with the utmost safety and professionalism. Photo by Charles Maib.
March 21, 2024 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work...

THAAD Battery in Guam Successfully Completes Table VIII Evaluation
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense launcher used by E-3 Air Defense Artillery THAAD Battery as part of their Table VIII certification in Dededo, Guam, March 13, 2024. The THAAD battery, equipped with a state-of-the-art missile defense system, is tasked with defending Guam against ballistic missile threats. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Trevor Wild)
March 21, 2024 - In a testament to readiness and operational excellence, Task Force Talon's E-3 ADA THAAD Battery conducted a Table VIII evaluation for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system stationed in Guam, March 11-15,...