By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Troy
Milburn, USS Exxex Public Affairs
MANADO, Indonesia (NNS) -- The Whidbey Island-class
amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) departed Manado, Indonesia,
after a four-day port visit, June 9.
During the visit, Sailors and Marines were welcomed to a
variety of activities through Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tours,
including whitewater rafting, scuba diving, dancing and playing games with
children at a local orphanage and exploring the city's shops, restaurants and
scenery.
"The port visit in Manado certainly assisted in
strengthening the connection and communication between the United States and
Indonesian navies and people," said Cmdr. Thomas Stephens, Rushmore's
commanding officer. "Manado allowed us to view another country's way of
life through the lens of being Americans."
"It was cool coming to a port like this knowing it's
been three years since one of our ships visited here," said Cryptologic
Technician Technical 2nd Class Ivan Pedraza. "With how much this place has
probably changed during that much time, our experiences might have been totally
different from those who were here previously."
The excitement of the crew arriving to their first port call
was rivaled only by that of the welcome they received from the people of
Manado.
"Everywhere we went, it was all smiles, 'hellos ,
thumbs up, and I love you'," said Cpl. Stephen Hill of 3rd Battalion, 1st
Marine Division. "I think we all had people ask to get their picture taken
with us probably a thousand times. It kind of felt like we were rock
stars."
Rushmore is currently on a regularly-scheduled deployment
with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which consists of Rushmore, USS
Essex (LHD 2), USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
(MEU).
The Essex ARG/MEU is deployed in support of maritime security
operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 7th Fleet area
of operations.
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