Patriot, EODMU 5 Det 51 Depart Hong Kong
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060720-16
Release Date: 7/20/2006 5:20:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs
HONG KONG (NNS) -- Sailors of Sasebo, Japan-based USS Patriot (MCM 7) felt refreshed as they left Hong Kong July 15, greatly enjoying the world-class dining, lodging and shopping of the island while a handful were also able to take advantage of a special home-cooked meal.
The port visit, which began July 11, featured ample morale and welfare opportunities for the crew while the Hong Kong American Women’s Association (AWA) hosted several Patriot Sailors for dinner in their Hong Kong homes. Crew members also participated in a service project at the Fu Hong Society, Leung King Adult Training Center, a living and learning center for mentally disabled, July 12.
“The visit overall was very welcoming and it was even more welcoming to be invited into someone’s home,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Michael I. Berlingeri of the “Meals in the Home” program offered by Hong Kong AWA. “When you’re away from friends and family so long, it’s nice to have someone take you in and make you feel like family for a little bit. The food was exquisite and the whole experience was great.”
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, Detachment (Det) 51, embarked aboard Patriot, conducted a field training exercise with Hong Kong Police Department’s (HKPD) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau for three days prior to the ship coming into port, which focused on combating improvised explosive devices (IED).
Both HKPD officials and EODMU 5 Det 51 personnel agreed that the exchange had some very positive elements to it.
“The willingness to share techniques from both sides presents a great opportunity for cross-training and serves to increase our abilities to fight terrorism,” said D.J. Brittain, senior bomb disposal officer for the HKPD EOD. “These exchanges give both of us increased knowledge to mitigate the problem and enhance our techniques in handling terrorist scenarios.”
IED exchanges like this are common, said Brittain, whose unit worked with EODMU 11 Det 15 from the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group, in early June. The HKPD EOD will continue to work with other dets as they pass through.
EODMU 5 Det 51 members were glad to have the training.
“They have very developed tools and deal with IEDs more often, so we had a lot to gain from them, as far as learning new techniques, new methods,” said Explosive Ordnance Disposalman 2nd Class (DV/SW/PJ) Daniel K. Ryan. “I was impressed with their capabilities and glad to be able to work with them.”
After the field training exercise, the EODMU det rejoined the ship and the crew to experience liberty in Hong Kong.
Following a string of port visits to cities in countries such as Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam, Hong Kong was the most metropolitan of all the visits, which the crew took notice of on arrival with the skyline of high-rise buildings.
The skyline was one of things Quartermaster 1st Class (SW) Brandt Thionnet, of Patriot, admired most about the island.
“It’s amazing to see...especially as night falls and the various buildings light up and lasers shoot across the channel between the mainland and Kowloon,” said Thionnet, who has visited the island on five other occasions. “This is a perfect place to relax. And one whose international nature allows you to get just about any type of food; I got some Mexican, my favorite.”
At the Leung King Adult Training Center, Patriot Sailors gave a quality cleaning to the center and met with center residents, who were very happy to see the Sailors. The interaction between the Sailors and center residents was what made the most impact on both residents and Sailors.
“Looks of joy on their faces when we walked in the room showed me how much our visit meant to them,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF) Robert C. Skibsted, one of the service project participants.
One of the participants was so exited that he gave Skibsted a tour of his room.
“That moment really touched me, especially in the way he said ‘my place’ and showed me his bed,” said Skibsted. “At least for that day, it felt like we made a difference in their lives.”
While Hong Kong offered so much in terms of morale and recreation, Patriot Sailors were glad to have been able to offer a little bit back with their service.
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 EODMU 5 Det 51 are currently deployed in Southeast Asia to support the 7th Fleet’s interoperability and training commitments in mine neutralization warfare and maritime operations.
For related news, visit the Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.
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