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Tarawa ARG Makes Singapore Port Visit

Story Number: NNS030224-02
Release Date: 2/24/2003 6:43:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman David Senn and Journalist 2nd Class Crystal King, USS Tarawa Public Affairs

ABOARD USS TARAWA, At Sea (NNS) -- The towering skyscrapers of Singapore's world famous skyline greeted the Sailors and Marines from the USS Tarawa (LHA 1) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), as the trio of San Diego-based amphibious warships made a two-day port visit there recently. It was the first port call for the Tarawa ARG since the six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean began Jan. 6.

"This was definitely a break everyone needed, especially after a long time out to sea," said Tarawa crew member Operations Specialist 2nd Class Aimee Sowell.

The Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) joined Sailors from Tarawa, USS Duluth (LPD 6) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47) for the port call to this major commercial center located on the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula.

"What I enjoyed most was seeing all the different architecture. There are a lot of beautiful buildings in Singapore, and they are very different from what we see in the States," said Tarawa crew member Personnelman 2nd Class Theresa Bender.

A wide variety of tours gave Sailors and Marines a chance to see such sites as the Parliament House, the National Orchid Garden and the Mariamman Temple, Singapore's oldest Hindu temple.

"I went on a seven-hour tour of the entire city and learned a lot about their culture and industry," said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Lou Hovis.

The sights and sounds of Singapore, though distinctly different from the United States, all had a very American feel for Electronics Technician 3rd Class Brandon McGee. "The city is clean and most citizens speak English," said McGee. "The people were nice and the city was worth visiting. I had fun."

Despite the fact that it rained heavily during the two-day port visit, Sailors and Marines didn't hesitate to get off their ships for some recreation time.

"I've never been there before, and to me, Singapore is a great place to visit," said Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Lauren Scott. "This port visit gave us some time to wind down. Considering the work that we have ahead of us, that really helped."