Carl Vinson Departs Singapore

USS Carl Vinson
Courtesy Story

Date: 04.08.2017
Posted: 04.08.2017 04:17
News ID: 229687

USS CARL VINSON, SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 8, 2017) – The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 departed Singapore after a scheduled four-day port visit, April 8.

While in port, Carl Vinson Sailors hosted distinguished visitors, held a reception aboard the ship and experienced Singapore’s diverse and rich culture.

Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, said she is proud of the relationship between the United States and Singapore, and noted the Singapore navy’s 50th anniversary.

“I think it is important that we pause to recognize the significance of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Singapore Navy,” said Tyson to more than 400 people gathered in the ship’s hangar bay. “We in the U.S. Navy are proud to call you partners and friends.”

During the reception, Rear Adm. Jim Kilby, commander, Carrier Strike Group 1, and Capt. Douglas Verissimo, commanding officer of USS Carl Vinson, welcomed Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, U.S. Embassy Singapore Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath and Fleet Commander, Singapore Fleet, Col. Cheong Kwok Chien, as well as other guests to highlight the strong partnership between the U.S. and Singapore.

Carl Vinson and CVW 2 Sailors further highlighted the partnership through community service. Sailors participated in three community relations, or COMREL, events around Singapore.

The projects included volunteering at Willing Hearts, a soup kitchen, serving or preparing food. Sailors stationed aboard Lake Champlain volunteered with Child @ Street 11, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income and dysfunctional families provide quality early years education for their children.

Additionally, members of Carl Vinson’s Junior Enlisted Association and Second Class Petty Officer Association volunteered at a food bank. According to Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Adam Blackmon, the leading petty officer for the command religious ministry department of Carl Vinson, the events were fulfilling.

“COMRELs were a great opportunity for the ship to show a friendlier, nicer side of the Navy,” said Blackmon. “Some people may think that the Navy is just military. They don’t realize how much humanitarian work the Navy does. With COMRELs, Sailors have a good opportunity to give back to the communities directly.”

The Carl Vinson Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) office gave Sailors the opportunity to experience many aspects of Singapore’s culture through trips to locations including Gardens by the Bay and the Buddah Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.

“The shopping in Chinatown was full of neat stuff to take home for the kids, wife and family,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class David Hernandez. “They’ll appreciate it. I liked looking around, eating the local cuisine and exploring. It’s about getting to know new things.”

Hernandez was one of many Sailors who took a guided tour of Singapore that included visiting Kampong Glam, Little India and Chinatown.

“Especially for a first visit, it’s good to try an MWR tour. There’s lots of stuff you won’t know unless you follow along with a tour guide. They’ll tell you the history of different areas and cultures such as the Muslim, Indian and Chinese districts we visited today.”

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group departed San Diego for a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment Jan. 5.

For more than 70 years, the U.S. Navy has maintained a persistent naval presence in the Indo-Asia Pacific. The U.S. Navy is committed to continuing this forward presence, which is focused on stability, regional cooperation and economic prosperity for all nations. Carl Vinson has deployed to the region several times, starting with a deployment to the Western Pacific in 1983 a year after commissioning. Most recently in 2015, Carl Vinson conducted port visits and exercises with regional navies in the South China Sea.