John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Visits Hong Kong

HONG KONG (NNS) -- The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) arrived in Hong Kong Feb. 17, for a scheduled port visit during its western Pacific Ocean deployment.

The strike group supports maritime security in the region, regional partnerships through joint operations and by conducting community service projects during port visits with host nations.

"We've got enduring partnerships around the world," said Carrier Strike Group Commander Rear Adm. Mark Vance. "We want to continue these relationships in the Pacific region and provide safety and security for our nation."

The United States Maritime Strategy focuses on joint and international partnerships across a range of operations through forward presence, deterrence, freedom of the world's sea lanes, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.

JCSCSG includes Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Carrier Air Wing 9: Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, VFA 154, VFA 146, Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 323, Electronic Warfare Squadron 138, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112 and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30. JCSCSG also includes Destroyer Squadron 21: Arleigh-Burke class destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Preble (DDG 88) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54).

Carrier Strike Group 7 Departs Hong Kong After Port Visit

By Lt. Ron Flanders, Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs


The guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), left, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) are moored at the foot of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG (NNS) -- The six ships and more than 7,000 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 departed Hong Kong, June 22, after four days in port.

CSG 7 includes the flagship, Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14; and the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7; the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43).

While in port, Sailors enjoyed sightseeing, shopping and tours of Hong Kong provided by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR). Additionally, more than 300 Sailors participated in 15 community relations (COMREL) projects in the local community.

"For the American Sailor, service to others, especially those in need, is job number one," said Cmdr. Greg Gombert, commanding officer of USS Gridley. "This is America at its best."

Many of the COMREL projects CSG 7 Sailors volunteered for directly benefited children and the elderly. USS Decatur and USS Ronald Reagan Sailors -- 45 in all -- visited the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children's Wai Yin Nursery School, where they sang songs and played games with the children.

"It was a great experience," said Yeoman Seaman Erika Cash of Decatur. "It was culturally enlightening to be able to interact with the children in Hong Kong, and we all had a great time doing it."

In addition, 30 Ronald Reagan Sailors visited the Fu Hong Society, a home for the mentally and physically disabled, where they spent time with the residents.

"They really brightened up when they saw us," said Chief Storekeeper Ron Taylor. "I had a great time."

According to USS Ronald Reagan's chaplain, Cmdr. Lee Axtell, the number of volunteers for Hong Kong COMRELs, exceeded available opportunities.

"The crews really stepped up with their time and talent," Axtell said. "Each COMREL list was filled to capacity very quickly."

China Has Done It Again!

Hong Kong Harbor (Photo courtesy of http://www.ussschenectadylst1185.org/)

China, which denied the USS Kitty Hawk and her Carrier Strike Group permission to dock in Hong Kong for Thanksgiving (see that story on this blog at:
http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2007/11/china-denies-kitty-hawk-csg-access-to.html), also recently refused access to two minesweeping ships seeking refuge from a storm, the commander of U.S. Forces Pacific said yesterday in a Pentagon video conference.

The USS Patriot and USS Guardian were forced to refuel at sea and return to their homeport of Sasebo in Japan when China refused their request for shelter in Hong Kong, Admiral Timothy Keating told reporters in Washington yesterday.

The incidents came about two weeks after Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited China seeking greater cooperation between the two countries and more transparency from the government in Beijing about its military buildup.

China's denial violated an "unwritten law among seamen that if someone is in need" you give them safe harbor, Keating said in a video conference from his headquarters at Camp Smith, Hawaii, according to a DoD transcript. Keating said that while the decision to refuse the Kitty Hawk access was "perplexing" and "troublesome," the minesweeper incident was "more disturbing."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement today that all dockings by U.S. naval ships in Hong Kong must be "applied for in advance" and in accordance with the territory's laws. "In this case, the applications were not made in advance and in a timely fashion."