USS Reuben James Hosts Reception in Brunei

By Ensign Damon Goodrish-Houska, Rueben James Public Affairs

MUARA, Brunei (NNS) -- USS Reuben James (FFG 57) held a reception for 62 government officials and distinguished guests aboard the ship during its port visit to Muara, Brunei, March 5.

Guests who attended the gathering included U.S. Embassy's Charge d'Affaires Alexander L. Barrasso; Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force Maj. Gen. Aminuddin Ihsan; Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy Col. Abdul Halim; and representatives from embassies of the United Kingdom, Russia, India, Vietnam, Germany, Laos, Kuwait, the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.

During the reception, Cmdr. David E. Miller, USS Reuben James commanding officer, welcomed the guests and thanked them for their hospitality shown to the ship throughout the port visit.

"Hosting receptions and giving people tours of our ship is just one way for us to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Brunei armed forces," said Lt. Anthony Pangjogie, USS Reuben James operations officer. "We are looking forward to continuing to work together to complete our common goals in the region."

The visit to Brunei was filled with public engagement events including 10 group tours and two community service (COMSERV) projects. Local students, government personnel and members of the Royal Brunei military received guided tours of the ship's spaces.

For one of the COMSERV projects, Reuben James Sailors teamed up with Green Frog Humanitarian and Management Services, a local non-governmental organization, to refurbish an elderly man's house and landscape his yard.

Reuben James is currently deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace and stability in the region, strengthen interoperability with allied countries that share common interests of maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian and disaster assistance cooperation.