USS Reuben James Hosts Reception during Port Visit to Muara
By Ensign Damon Goodrish-Houska
Rueben James Public Affairs
MUARA, Brunei - The guided-missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) held a reception on March 5, inviting 62 government officials and distinguished guests to the ship during its port visit in Muara, Brunei.
Guests who attended the gathering included U.S. Embassy's Chargé d'Affaires Mr. Alexander L. Barrasso; Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force Maj. Gen. Aminuddin Ihsan; Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy Col. Abdul Halim; and representatives from embassies of the United Kingdom, Russia, India, Vietnam, Germany, Laos, Kuwait, the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.
At the reception Reuben James’ Commanding Officer Cmdr. David E. Miller, welcomed Aminuddin and the other guests thanking them for their hospitality shown to the ship throughout the port visit.
"Hosting receptions and giving people tours of our ship is just one way for us to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces," said Lt. Anthony Pangjogie, Reuben James’ operations officer. "We are looking forward to continuing to work together to complete our common goals in the region."
Reuben James’ visit to Brunei was filled with public engagement events including 10 group tours and two community service (COMSERV) projects. Local students, government personnel and members of the Royal Brunei military received guided tours of the ship’s spaces.
For one of the COMSERV projects, Sailors from the Reuben James teamed up with a local non-governmental organization called Green Frog Humanitarian and Management Services to refurbish an elderly man’s house and landscaped his yard.
Reuben James is currently in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility on deployment to promote peace, stability in the region, strengthen interoperability with allied countries sharing common interests of maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian and disaster assistance cooperation.
This article was originally published at: http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2011/03-march/014.htm
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