USS Avenger Strengthens Partnership With Royal Malaysian Navy

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian A. Stone, USS Avenger Public Affairs

LUMUT, Malaysia (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Avenger (MCM 1) sponsored a series of community outreach activities designed to build upon the growing relationship between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy May, 17-18.

The outreach efforts began with a visit to the Rumah Wawasan orphanage in Lumut, where Sailors delivered food supplies and played sports with local children.

The owner of the orphanage, who requested not to be named, but is referred to by the children as "Papa," expressed his gratitude to Avenger Sailors for their help.

"I hope that we can start an ongoing relationship and I will get to see you all again," said Papa. "I thank god I've got friends like you Navy boys. This is truly a miracle."

Avenger Sailors also hosted a series of ship tours May 18 for Malaysian navy personnel, displaying the Navy's mine-sweeping technology. During the last two years, the U.S. 7th Fleet has doubled its mine-sweeping capabilities, which can aid the secure passage of merchant vessels through narrow sea lanes.

Mineman Seaman Jonathan Cedeno, an Avenger tour guide, said that the Malaysian officers were impressed with the capabilities of the mine countermeasure ship platform.

"Many of them have never seen the kind of advanced robotics and equipment that we use to locate and detonate mines," said Cedeno. "I think we really piqued their interest. They said they were interested in working with us in the future, to see if we could coordinate mine sweeping operations as a team."

Later that same day, Avenger Sailors hosted a dinner party for Royal Malaysian Navy personnel. During the dinner, Royal Malaysian Navy Cmdr. Mohd Roslim Bin Hilmi spoke about the strength of the U.S.-Malaysian relationship.

"Although our operating procedures may be different, at the end of the day, the U.S. and Malaysian navies are working for the same goal," said Roslim Bin Hilmi.

Following Roslim Bin Hilmi's remarks, Avenger's commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Patrick L. German, gave a token of appreciation to the Royal Malaysian Navy personnel for their hospitality during Avenger's stay in Malaysia and spoke on the importance of the partnership between the two navies.

"I am so proud to be standing here with these fine Malaysian officers," said German. "Our two countries share so much in common and together we have achieved so much. Just look at how piracy is almost non-existent in the Strait of Malacca these days! That is because of this partnership. I am so happy to think that as our navies rise together, this is only the beginning."