By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lex T. Wenberg
John C. Stennis Strike Group Public Affairs
KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia – The John C. Stennis Strike Group concluded a four-day port visit to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, Oct. 4.
“This port visit was successful in every way,” said Capt. Ron Reis, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), flag ship of the strike group. “Not only did sailors enjoy some hard-earned time off, but they participated in several events and activities and really embraced the people and culture here.”
"While in Kota Kinabalu, the JCSSG, along with the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia, hosted an evening reception in the Stennis’ hangar bay. More than 300 guests, including U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, Paul W. Jones, the Kota Kinabalu Mayor and other local government, military and business leaders were in attendance."
“It was great to see everyone at the reception have such a great time,” said Stennis’ Command Master Chief Stan Jewett. “The Sabah tourism bureau treated us to beautiful cultural dance performance, and all the guests seemed just as happy to see us as we were to see them.”
Crewmembers also spent some of their off time participating in a number of community relations projects, including the volunteering at the Bukit Harapan Orphanage, landscaping at St. Joseph’s Church, and doing handy work at the Seri Mengasi Centre, a charitable institution serving those with developmental disabilities.
“I have only one handyman, who has been doing everything,” said Junainah Sarikol, a staff member at the Seri Mengasi Center. “We have problems with manpower, so we need somebody to help us every now and then.”
The sailors were also appreciative of the experience.
“Working with the disabled really touched home for me,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Marie English, a sailor aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) who spent time working for a group home for the disabled before she joined the Navy.
“Participating in a COMREL is a great way to make a difference in the lives of the local people,” said Stennis crewmember Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Miguel Lopez. “We got to do some work for an orphanage, cleaning a drainage path and we even got to play with some of the kids.”
Sailors also had the opportunity to experience Malaysia through Morale, Welfare and Recreation-sponsored events such as golf, white water rafting and climbing Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia’s highest peak at 13, 425 feet high.
“We got to ride a train, have lunch and hit some really great spots out the on the water,” said Stennis Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Anna Brown, who attended the water rafting tour. “The tour was a great opportunity to see the Malaysian countryside and have an adventure as well.”
Stennis will conduct another scheduled port visit in the 7th Fleet area of operations before entering the U.S. 5th Fleet in order to maintain combatant commander requirements for Navy assets in the region.
The strike group consists of Stennis, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Mobile Bay and Destroyer Squadron 21.
For more information on the JCSSG, please visit www.stennis.navy.mil or www.facebook.com/stennis74.