USS Port Royal Public Affairs Indonesian naval officers stood in formation on the pier and a military band played patriotic songs Dec. 20 as USS Port Royal (CG 73) pushed away from her berth at Tanjung-Priok Port in Jakarta, after a four-day port visit to Indonesia's capital province.
The farewell show as Port Royal pulled away from Jakarta was only a small demonstration compared to the festivities during the first hours of her arrival Dec. 17. As local dignitaries welcomed Adler with flowers and fruit, while traditional dancers, fire-breathers and other performers entertained the crew on the pier.
Indonesia's hospitality did not stop at the pier. Local citizens embraced Port Royal Sailors as they ventured off the ship to explore the city and participate in athletic games and community relations events. On Dec. 19, a small group of Sailors loaded boxes of toys and hygiene items into a truck for delivery to the U.S. Embassy warehouse, where representatives from three non-governmental organizations received them for distribution to the city and in Indonesia's rural interior. The boxes were donations from Project Handclasp, which is a program that allows private organizations to donate toys and other items for forward-deployed military units to distribute overseas
U.S. Navy port visits such as Port Royal's visit to Indonesia represent an important opportunity to promote peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific region of the world, demonstrate commitment to regional partners and foster growing relationships. U.S. 7th Fleet forces are tangible proof of the U.S. commitment to peace and stability in the Oceana region, and they directly support U.S. national goals of strengthening alliances, defeating global threats, and preserving the free flow of trade.
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