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Patriot Makes Pit Stop in Brunei

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060511-03
Release Date: 5/11/2006 8:44:00 AM

By Chief Electrician’s Mate (SW) Noel Corneja, USS Patriot Public Affairs

MAURA PORT, Brunei (NNS) -- Sasebo-based minesweeper USS Patriot (MCM 7) stopped in Maura Port, Brunei, May 3 for a scheduled port visit, refueling and stores onload as the ship reached its first port and pushed on through its third week at sea of what is a multimonth Southeast Asia deployment.

The port visit symbolized what is and what will be a continual theme for Patriot Sailors: seeing sights - many of them exotic - for the first time.

Patriot Sailors manned the rails with pride as the ship entered port while others snapped photographs from the bridge. Finally getting to experience Southeast Asia firsthand, there is a general level of excitement, say Patriot Sailors.

“This place is awesome,” exclaimed Damage Controlman 3rd Class Chris Ibanez.

Maura is a “pit stop” and a hub for most Sasebo-based amphibious ships under Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 as it is a geostrategic port for fuel and food supplies. Brunei is located on the island of Borneo in Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia.

The climate and diversity in people was appreciated by Patriot Sailors. Crew members noted the niceties of the new environment, especially the wealth of commercial goods for sale at the markets and shops.

“It's a great place for shopping, delicious Asian delicacies and very friendly people. Everyone wants to say hello,” said Chief Damage Controlman (SW) Rich Carlon, the ship's Maintenance and Material Management (3M) coordinator.

For others, it was just a good chance to talk to loved ones on the phone.

“There is some kind of magical feeling talking to my family on the phone,” said Chief Mineman (SW) Maurice Perine. "I feel refreshed, especially hearing my children arguing who’s going to talk to Daddy first and the first child to talk has the right to whimper."

Patriot's Commanding Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Richard Brawley, said he could sense an historical importance to the stop.

“We are making history for USS Patriot and her crew. The same bay where we are right now is the same bay where 'Old Ironsides,' USS Constitution, lowered her anchor in Brunei Bay in 1845, five years before the United States and Brunei signed a treaty of peace, friendship and commerce in 1850. That is history; that’s what our Navy did 161 years ago, and that’s what we are still doing.”

For Patriot Senior Enlisted Leader, Senior Chief Mineman (SW/SS) Kurt Stauff, who along with Brawley watches carefully over the 80-man crew, he has been pleased with the professionalism at sea and conduct ashore of Patriot Sailors. A dress code was implemented by the ship to ensure best possible representation while in Brunei.

“Great start of deployment,” said Stauff. “The crew has behaved well and looked neat in appearance. Though it was a short visit, most of the crew got an idea of Brunei and what to look for next time we drop by.”

Patriot is a Mine Countermeasures ship forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Patriot and USS Guardian (MCM 5) serve under Task Force 76, which serves as the U.S. 7th Fleet’s Mine Countermeasures arm in forward-deployed operations. Patriot is currently deployed in Southeast Asia to support the U.S. 7th Fleet’s interoperability and training commitments in mine neutralization warfare and maritime operations.