Welcoming Friends: GW Hosts Diplomatic Reception

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob I. Allison, USS George Washington Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted a diplomatic reception for local guests during its scheduled port visit to the Republic of Singapore, June 29.

The guests of honor at the reception were the U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, the Honorable Kirk Wagar, and Rear Adm. Timothy Lo, fleet commander, Republic of Singapore (ROS) navy.

"The U.S. carrier strike group is proof of the United States' commitment to this region," said Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, commander, Battle Force 7th Fleet. "We represent a guarantee of transparency, adherence to rule of law and freedom of the maritime province around this region."

The ship's supply department catered the event, providing several U.S. and Asian specialties as well as a large cake in the shape of CVN 73.

Guests at the reception were treated to a performance by the ship's color guard, where Sailors from George Washington displayed the United States and ROS flags from an aircraft elevator in front of an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the 'Royal Maces' of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27.

After the performance, Capt. Greg Fenton, commanding officer of George Washington, led the guests of honor in a series of remarks celebrating the extensive partnership between the U.S. and ROS navies.

"These [visits] give us a great opportunity to work together," said Lo. "The exercises we did 20 years ago were a lot simpler. Today, we exercise quite regularly with carrier strike groups when they transit this region."

Lo also praised the cooperation between the U.S. and Singapore navies in search and rescue and counter-piracy operations, as well as the first rotational deployment of the Littoral Combat Ship USS Freedom (LCS 1).

At the conclusion of the remarks, Fenton led the guests and Sailors attending the reception in a series of toasts celebrating the extensive bilateral partnership between the United States and Singapore.

"I propose a toast to the ever-strengthening bonds between the Republic of Singapore navy and the U.S. Navy," said Fenton.

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.