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USS Mustin Makes Historic Visit to Remote Cambodian Region

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101210-04
12/10/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Devon Dow, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Det. Japan

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (NNS) -- Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) and 7th Fleet Orient Express Band traveled to the northwestern area of Cambodia, on Dec. 5 to participate in an overnight community service (COMSERV) project with the Maddox Jolie-Pitt foundation (MJP).

The visit to the isolated region of Cambodia was a first for any U.S. service member since 1998, following the conflict that once plagued the region.

The foundation where the engagement took place at was created by actress Angelina Jolie in 2003. Named in part on behalf of her son Maddox, who she adopted from Cambodia, MJP provides a wide range of services to communities in northwestern Cambodia ranging from education, to agriculture and healthcare.

"What these Sailors did is amazing. Areas in northwestern Cambodia do not get a lot of support," said Col. Mark Gillette, senior defense official-defense attaché for the U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, Cambodia. "The area is very remote, so with the Sailors going out there, they are shining a light on a part of Cambodia a lot of people do not know about. It also shows U.S. Armed Forces support not only in the more frequented parts of Cambodia, but the places that are hard to get to."

Escorted by MJP staff during their transit, Sailors were given the opportunity to visit ancient Cambodia temples including Angkor Wat, which is regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Upon their arrival to the MJP site, they were greeted by the entire staff. MJP and the Sailors exchanged tokens of appreciation, which was followed by a reception that hosted local officials who interacted with Mustin's Sailors while the 7th Fleet Orient Express Band performed for the crowd.

The night Sailors spent the night in tents on the MJP site under the Cambodian sky. In the morning, Sailors had the opportunity to go for a light jog on the camp site or an early swim in the waters behind the MJP main office.

Their second day in the remote region, Sailors participated in projects at two local school houses supported by MJP. They donated clothes, toys and spent time interacting with the school children playing games, in the process making new friends.

For MJP's community development manager Samel Von, said the interaction he saw between the Sailors and school children was a first.

"This interaction is something I would like to see more of. I think it's a good way for different people to come together," he said. "This is great. We have had individuals come before and interact with the children but never a group like this. This was very good for the children."

MJP's Chief Executive Officer Stephan Bognar said, he and his staff were pleased to have U.S. service members come volunteer and that their community service was greatly appreciated.

"This event exceeded expectations," Bognar said. "It is a great thing for the MJP foundation to have Sailors from the USS Mustin and the 7th Fleet Band visit here and give their personal time to help those in need, no matter the journey. It is something the people here will never forget. We are honored and very grateful for this opportunity and do hope this is the start of a long friendship."

Mustin's Command Master Chief Rachel Costello took part in the two day trip and praised the efforts by the MJP and appreciated the opportunity for her and Mustin's crew to take part in what she called a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"The Sailors really enjoyed themselves and we all had a great time working the MJP who do extraordinary charity work with the people in Cambodia," Costello said. "Their staff was generous providing us with tours of their educational and healthcare facilities, and giving us background information on the region, we learned a lot from them. A lot of goodwill work was performed by the Sailors and the fact that we were able to team up with an organization like MJP really is a push in the right direction for COMSERV projects."

According to Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Tiffany Walker from Queens, N.Y. she is going to have a hard time explaining to family and friends back home about her experience in Cambodia.

"Not a lot of people are going to believe me, so I took a whole lot of pictures," Walker said. "The past two days have been phenomenal. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to be apart of something like this, I still cannot believe it. From working with the MJP, to seeing Angkor Wat, waking up in a tent, learning a little of the Cambodian language the children taught me when we were playing games, it has just been incredible."