U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Malaysian Navy host Women's Leadership Symposium during MTA Malaysia 2019

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Tristin Barth | 190815-N-NI298-0219 LUMUT, Malaysia (Aug 15, 2019) Women serving in the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Royal Malaysian Navy take a group picture at the conclusion of the Women’s leadership symposium held at Lumut Naval Base as part of Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Malaysia 2019. MTA Malaysia 2019 is a continuation of 25 years of maritime engagements between the U.S. Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy serving to enhance mutual capabilities in ensuring maritime security and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tristin Barth)  

MALAYSIA

08.15.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tristin Barth 

Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific

LUMUT, Malaysia – The U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Malaysian Navy hosted a women’s leadership symposium at Lumut Naval Base Aug. 15 as part of Maritime Training Activity Malaysia 2019.

More than fifty women from The U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Malaysian Navy attended the symposium, including a guest appearance by the Pacific Area commander for the U.S. Coast Guard, Vice Adm. Linda Fagan.

Chief Yeoman Megan Street, assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, said Vice Adm. Fagan’s keynote speech provided a unique and thought provoking perspective on the importance of fostering a strong work atmosphere in the military, regardless of gender.

“Her comments about promoting an environment we would want for our family - because our fellow Sailors are essentially our brothers and sisters, really spoke to me,” said Street.

The group activities and discussions addressed topics such as career and family balance, gender and culture in the workplace, mentorship and empowering women.

“What I learned here today gave me valuable knowledge that would have taken years to experience,” said Royal Malaysian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Farah Alhabshi, a participant in the symposium. “The large group provided such a unique way to discuss topics we never get to usually.”

Maritime Training Activity Malaysia builds upon 25 years of maritime engagement between the U.S. and Malaysia as well as other exercises in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands including Pacific Partnership, the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission, Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama with the Philippines, Pacific Griffin with Singapore and Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT), which involves nearly a dozen partner nations. These engagements bring like-minded naval forces together routinely based on shares values and maritime security interests.

As U.S. 7th Fleet's executive agent for theater security cooperation in South and Southeast Asia, Commander, Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 conduct advanced planning, organize resources, and directly support the execution of CARAT and other engagements in the region.

• Date Taken: 08.15.2019
• Date Posted: 08.15.2019 22:40
• Story ID: 336127
• Location: MY