Singapore Salutes Lincoln Strike Group

Sea Power, Apr 2005 by Atkinson, Peter E

Council, Local Americans Thank Crews Following Tsunami Relief Effort

After what was described as "spectacular humanitarian service" in response to the Indian Ocean tsunamis, members of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ALCSG) were recognized for their efforts during a port visit to Singapore, thanks, in part, to the Navy League's Singapore Council.

The Singapore Council, the American Association of Singapore, the American Club and several other American community organizations coordinated a reception and barbecue to welcome back the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and some of its escorts, according to Singapore Council President Jack Miller. The strike group contingent stopped in Singapore as it made its way back to the United States following the conclusion of its deployment.

Commanding officers from the Abraham Lincoln and support ships USS Shiloh and USS Shoup, both guided-missile cruisers, joined 150 sailors and 150 civilian hosts at the barbecue. U.S. Ambassador to Singapore Frank Lavin attended, and spoke of the amazing relief efforts of the U.S. Navy at many locations in the Indian Ocean, Miller said. The ALCSG also includes the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold, and the supply vessel USNS Rainier.

In addition, American community members hosted 80 sailors, in small groups, for in-home and inrestaurant meals as part of the American Association's Home Hospitality Program, Miller said.

The sailors were clearly emotionally affected by their round-the-clock operation, Miller said, and the impact it had on victims whose lives were most definitely saved because of the efforts. It was an experience in their Navy careers that most sailors will never have, and that these sailors will never forget.

Following the Dec. 26 tsunamis that devastated the coastlines of Indonesia, India, Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Thailand and many other nations in the region, the ships of ALCSG were ordered south as they left a holiday port visit in Hong Kong. On New Year's Day, sailors from the ALCSG began to deliver vital food, water and medicine to help stabilize life-threatening situations, as well as provide helicopter transportation for displaced persons.

Helicopters from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 2, Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 47 and Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 carried out missions into Banda Aceh, Indonesia, and along the Sumatran coastline, which had been rendered inaccessible by the waves. From Jan. 1 - Feb. 4, ALCSG aircraft flew 1,747 missions in support of Operation Unified Assistance, carried 5.7 million pounds of supplies, including 16,308 gallons of water, and transported 3,043 passengers, according to statistics provided by the Navy. Of the supply total, about 3 million pounds were purchased and/or processed by Navy commands in Singapore. Medical personnel from Abraham Lincoln also treated 259 people and more than 200 patients were medically evacuated for further treatment.

Following the Singapore visit, Abraham Lincoln was scheduled to make brief stops in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and San Diego before returning to its homeport at Naval Station Everett, Wash., on March 4.

Oak Harbor Council Gets X-Craft Preview

Thanks to its new community affiliate, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, the Oak Harbor, Wash., Council got a preview of the Navy's newest class of warship, the FSF-I (Fast Sea Frame-1), formerly known as the X-Craft, prior to its christening.

Fifty-three council members were given a tour of the ship Feb. 1 at the Nichols Brothers' shipyard on Whidbey Island. The threehour outing was arranged by outgoing Council President Beth Munns, and hosted by Nichols Brothers President Matt Nichols.

The 262-foot, high-speed catamaran features a large mission bay that can hold up to a dozen 20-foot mission modules. The vessel's flight deck can accommodate two H-60 helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles.

"I was impressed with all the new technology that leads to safety for the crew, and that this (ship) was built in our own backyard by one of the community affiliates," said Munns, who is being succeeded as council president by Joseph Mosolino.

On Feb. 5, many Oak Harbor Council members returned to the Nichols Brothers' shipyard to see the FSF-I christened Sea Fighter. In attendance was Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England; U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee; his wife Lynne, the ship's sponsor; the precommissioning crew of 26 Navy and Coast Guardsmen; and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brandon S. Bryan, the Sea Fighter's prospective commanding officer.

An onboard reception and postchristening tour of the ship followed the event. At a brief ceremony during the reception, Munns presented Lynne Hunter with an engraved silver bowl from the Oak Harbor Council.

Following its launch at the end of February, Sea Fighter was scheduled to go to Everett Naval Station to be fitted with its armament, and then undergo two months of sea trials. The ship will be homeported in San Diego.

Mayport Council Cruises With the John F. Kennedy