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USS Curtis Wilbur Visits Hachinohe, Japan

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070206-23
Release Date: 2/6/2007 2:58:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jacqueline Russell, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

HACHINOHE, Japan (NNS) -- USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) pulled into Hachinohe, Japan, on Jan. 25 for a four-day port visit.

The Aegis-class destroyer’s Sailors got a chance to enjoy some rest and relaxation while helping strengthen ties between Japanese and U.S. forces.

“The men and women of Curtis Wilbur look forward to experiencing Hachinohe and the beauty of Northern Japan,” said Cmdr. Brian O’Donnell, ship’s commanding officer, during a welcome ceremony by the city of Hachinohe.

The welcome ceremony included remarks from O’Donnell and Shoichi Hachimoto, chairman of the Hachinohe chamber of commerce. The city presented the crew with two bouquets of flowers and Yawata Uma, the traditional local toy horse.

After the welcoming ceremony O’Donnell visited many local Japanese officials. His meetings included the Mayor of Hachinohe Makoto Kobayashi and Rear Adm. Yasuhiro Shigeoka of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), commander of Hachinohe Air Base. The ship hosted a reception and tours for guests from the city of Hachinohe and the JMSDF air base.

O’Donnell was not the only person with the chance to meet the local Japanese people.

“While in port, approximately 300 crew members will have a chance to participate in friendship-building activities with the local community, as well as enjoy the local attractions like skiing and onsens,” said Ensign Stephanie Krueger.

Morale, Welfare and Recreation provided several ski and snowboarding trips. Crew members also partook in a tour of Amori and visited the hot spring resorts in the area. Sailors spent time sightseeing and enjoying some local Japanese cuisine. The ship hosted Boy Scouts from Misawa Air Base on Jan. 27 and was open for tours throughout their time in Hachinohe.

“My crew always enjoys opportunities to visit cities throughout Japan and experience the different aspects of this fascinating country and its people,” said O’Donnell. “By visiting this wonderful city, I hope to see the relationship between our two countries and the Sailors of the two maritime forces grow stronger.”

Curtis Wilbur operates from Yokosuka as part of Destroyer Squadron 15’s forward-deployed Naval forces.