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Patriot, CARAT Participants Participate in Singapore Service Project

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060606-02
Release Date: 6/6/2006 9:30:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Sailors from the Sasebo, Japan, based mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) joined ships participating in exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) for a beach clean up at East Coast Park here June 1.

Patriot crew members worked side by side with Sailors of fellow Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), which is operating as the command and control ship for the U.S. CARAT task group under Task Force 73, as well as Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) and rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52), also part of the CARAT task group.

The Sailors, nearly 50 in all, gave a clean sweep of the beach that borders the multi-use recreational park, as they collectively picked up plastic, styrofoam, debris and glass.

“It was a successful project and very much worth it to be out here,” said Chief Electrician’s Mate (SW) Noel Corneja, who organized the project for Patriot. “We were able to enjoy this beautiful beach and not only give back to the Singapore community, but also interact with them as well.”

Corneja and other Patriot Sailors mentioned how a little girl tried to help out with the project by giving them a few pieces of trash. The mom of that girl thanked the Sailors for their efforts.

“That right there made it worth it,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF) Robert Skibsted. “Appreciation like that shows that we are making a difference.”

Corneja and others also expressed that the smiles of gratitude were enough thanks for their efforts.

Those members of the community who verbally expressed their appreciation were very pleased with the efforts and exchanged a few words with the Sailors as they cleaned.

“This is very positive. It is a pleasant surprise to see U.S. Navy Sailors work on a project such as this and make the beach cleaner,” said Milly Ho, a local resident, who was taking a casual stroll while Sailors were picking up trash.

Patriot arrived here on May 30 for a scheduled port visit focused on upkeep and maintenance of the ship as it prepares for upcoming operations. The ship has been at sea for more than a month now conducting mine countermeasures operations and making goodwill port visits.

Sailors from the other ships had arrived here for the start of CARAT, which officially began May 30 at Changi Naval Base. Besides training, service projects are a cornerstone of the exercise.

Upon completion of the beach clean-up project, all Sailors involved felt they had made a difference.

“The beach looks very much improved,” said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class (SW) Mark D. Phillips, of Tortuga. “You get a feeling of satisfaction when you are able to do something like this, which does have a positive impact on the community.”

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. The ship and embarked Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, Detachment 51 are currently deployed in Southeast Asia to support the U.S. 7th Fleet’s interoperability and training commitments in mine neutralization warfare and maritime operations.