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Benfold Underway After Port Visit to Hong Kong

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081013-04
Release Date: 10/13/2008 12:24:00 AM

By Ensign Jordan Adler, USS Benfold Public Affairs

USS BENFOLD, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) departed Hong Kong Oct. 9 following a scheduled four-day port visit.

Cmdr. Thomas Disy, Benfold's commanding officer, explained Hong Kong is a top Navy port visit and is important in strengthening the relationship between the United States and China.

"You can't quite call yourself a Pacific Fleet Sailor until you have anchored in Hong Kong Harbor," said Disy. "I am very pleased our crew had this opportunity."

During the visit, Sailors met local citizens, experienced Chinese customs and traditions and enjoyed recreational activities. Many tours were offered through local Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) services that included coverage of the city, historic sites and viewpoints, such as Hong Kong's famous Victoria's Peak. Shopping, dining and relaxing were top priorities for some of the crew.

A number of Sailors also volunteered for a community relations project. Benfold Sailors assisted the Nesbitt Center and played sports with approximately 30 students. The crew also provided hygiene and toiletry supplies provided by Project Handclasp.

"We went to have fun with the students, but at the end of the day we gained a lot of satisfaction knowing that we had made a difference in their lives," said Benfold Command Master Chief (SW) Mark Swab.

In another community relations project, Sailors were hosted by ex-patriots living in Hong Kong as part of a home hospitality program.

"The hospitality was incredible, and it was cool to see how they [ex-patriots] live their lives in a foreign place and kept their American ties," said Ensign Francis Sweeney who organized the home hospitality program for Benfold Sailors.

Benfold is part of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group which is currently conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

The U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with approximately 60-70 ships, 200-300 aircraft and 40,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time.

For more news from USS Peleliu (LHA 5) - Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/lha5/.