The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), along with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Singapore Jan. 16 for a scheduled port visit.

During the visit, Sailors and Marines will have an opportunity to experience the Singapore culture and take part in a variety of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sponsored events. Dozens of Sailors and Marines will also be participating in community service projects in the area.

"The crew is looking forward to a return visit to Singapore," said Capt. Jon P. Rodgers, Makin Island's commanding officer. "The captivating cultures, the welcoming hospitality and the safe variety of tours and community relation events echo throughout the passageways of the ship."

While in Singapore, many Makin Island Sailors and Marines are also expected to take advantage of MWR sponsored tours, attractions and sporting events.

"I'm really looking forward to experiencing all the culture Singapore has to offer," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Thao Pham, a native of Marietta, Georgia. "I've heard nothing but great things about this country and I'm excited to see it for myself."

Makin Island and the 11th MEU departed San Diego July 25, 2014 and are currently deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations (AOO), supporting the nation's maritime strategy.

During this deployment, the second for Makin Island, the ship operated forward in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO conducting air operations in support of the Operation Inherent Resolve coalition air campaign; non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flights over Iraq and Syria; provided on-call support to diplomatic facilities; worked with British and Kuwaiti forces in exercise Cougar Voyage, conducted exercise Red Reef 15 with Saudi Arabian forces and performed marine sustainment exercises in Kuwait and Djibouti.

The U.S. 7th Fleet AOO includes more than 48 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, stretching from the international date line to the east coast of Africa, and from the Kuril Islands in the north to the Antarctic in the south.

More than half of the world's population lives within the U.S. 7th Fleet AOO. In addition, more than 80 percent of that population lives within 500 miles of the oceans, which means this is an inherently maritime region.