LIMA 2012

The second day of operations in Langkawi represented the sum of all the Supply Department's efforts for the last couple of weeks.  It was the USS CURTIS WILBUR's turn to host all the dignitaries from the several dozen nations whose ships were still anchored in the harbor.  First we had to moor at the dock so the leaders would have an easier time boarding our ship.  Unfortunately this event did not go as smooth as it could have with the original brow not settling well on the quarterdeck.  After a couple of adjustments with the rollers at the bottom of the brow on the pier, it was deemed safe.  My Supply Officer was waiting on the pier when the ship arrived with the agent, people and additional material required to start transforming our flight deck into a reception area fit for ambassadors and royalty.

Preparations first centered around setting up a tent to cover the entire surface area of the flight deck.  Once this was completed all the foldable tables and chairs were moved under the tent, assembled and placed.  Table cloths and decorations were placed on top of the tables.  The event was designed to be a buffet style with guests walking through a service line to obtain their food from many different dishes so other setup was not necessary.  A special area for drinks was set up and well stocked and a table for covers was reserved near the brow.  A large decorated cake had been preordered and was placed near the center of the flight deck centered between two large ice sculptures.  The final step was to make sure the portable air conditioners were working.

As the food was being prepared and the crew was changing into their dress whites, titles and formalities were practiced to weed out mistakes.  The schedule was rehearsed for the last time and the crew was given their last chance for questions.  Uniforms were inspected, the food was placed, all positions were covered by well instructed sailors and all that remained was to await the arrival of the first guest.

Among the first to arrive was the US Ambassador to Malaysia, to whom I gave a quick tour of the ship, followed by the Seventh Fleet Admiral.  The guests started arriving shortly after with introductions as they crossed the brow and presented their covers to waiting attendants.  From that point all the usual accompaniments of a formal ceremony were followed.  I had trouble remembering names and even identifying uniforms became rough.  There were civilians from American and foreign companies talking with various Chiefs and Officers and many Officers having pleasant conversations among themselves.

The reception ended as the sun set so we take down most of the tent and remove the tables and chairs.  The event was praised by all.  We were able to represent the United States well and felt proud of this accomplishment.  I looked forward to seeing Langkawi and perhaps a few of the other ships during the next few days.           

Langkawi, Malaysia

So Langkawi was a city I had heard of a few times prior to reporting to Japan. I could not remember what I had heard about it but it is a name that seems to stick. The obvious facts were that this would be a tropical beach port, perhaps the best port I would have the fortune to visit over my entire tour in Asia. Some sailors might prefer a livelier port like Manila or Hong Kong but I prefer the laid back ones with a little more culture. Upon arriving we joined a multinational fleet of ships numbering somewhere around two dozen, each one representing their particular country. They ranged from larger industrialized countries like Singapore, India, Pakistan South Korea and Australia to smaller ones like the Philippines and Indonesia. I thought it was interesting that even Saudi Arabia was represented. Most ships were anchored out with the exception of two ships at any one time. Those ships would host a large reception for ambassadors from all other countries represented and then leave to be replaced by a new host the next day. As it was not our turn to host a reception on the first day of arrival, we anchored out. That was probably for the best since we arrived later in the day and were actually going to spend most of the afternoon prepping for our reception the next morning. Any food that could be prepared and left overnight was made, our agent pierside was contacted and final numbers and guests were set. The Supply Officer had arrived in Langkawi ahead of the ship to make arrangements beforehand.

Singapore Again

With the ship in port for the next two weeks, I had an interesting question. What was it I wanted to do with my liberty in Singapore? I knew my way around moderately well since the last port visit. I started the first night with laying around the pool at a club just outside of base relaxing. After all it was the middle of winter back in Japan. Singapore sits just north of the equator. I spent most of my time sight seeing and shopping although, I would discourage all that much shopping. Everything in Singapore is extremely expensive although they do sometimes offer discounts for foreigners. The movies are shown in English so I saw a movie with a group of friends while spending a few nights off the ship. The American Club was a nice retreat. Officers and Chiefs are welcome guests at all American Clubs worldwide, that was something I was not aware of prior to this visit. Considering how classy a club it is, that really is a very nice gesture. I was able to workout at the base gym and went back to the club just outside of base several times to hang out with sailors. MWR organized a party on the last day prior to leaving. The time off in a new port was nice but after two weeks, I was honestly ready for sea again.

INSERV Preps

The main point of this visit to Singapore was ship maintenance. Most of the work involved lagging and deck work. This work requires special technical assistance that is easiest to obtain in Singapore. Aside from those projects, the ships deck needed to be stripped, ground and repainted and the sides needed new paint for a conference coming in a few weeks. That event coming up would absorb much of the Supply Department's time while the maintenance projects were ongoing for the rest of the departments.

Every division contributed manpower to maintenance on the deck, while that was going on, I lead several stores onloads for everything from girl scout cookies to socks. All my stores had been depleted by the unexpected deployment so that was my main priority. I still had plenty of soda and Gatorade from Hong Kong so at least I was able to provide some basic items for the crew. This time my stores did not have to be trucked all the way across the island.

With stores on-loads completed and projects progressing, I was left to settle into an in-port routine again for the next two weeks. This would be our longest port visit by far, a length almost unheard of for ships visiting Singapore. I needed to start making plans for what I wanted to do in Singapore.

Simbawa

After negotiating the strait we moored at Simbawa. This base actually has an interesting history. Its origins date back to WWII when the Japanese crossed the strait to avoid the main coastal defenses. The British warships defending their territory left from the base to face off against a Japanese fleet. They were sunk by enemy aircraft and never played any part in the defense of Singapore. Ever since Singapore was liberated by allied forces, a strong British and American presence has remained here. The base itself is a British possession basically being leased by American forces. The bulk of personnel are American but while my ship was in port, we saw an Australian ship moor.

Simbawa is the largest Supply Base in Southeast Asia. I did not realize the extent of what that meant until I started running into Senior Supply Officers. I made it a point to meet with the Officers that I had not run into yet and got some great advice. Aside from official duties, I went shopping at the NEX for both ship and personal supplies and worked out at the gym. The main hangout point was a club at the entrance of the base. The crew was enjoying hanging out at the pool.

Simbawa is a nice base, although quite a bit smaller than Yokosuka and Changi where we moored previously. It was more laid back than either of the previously mentioned bases. It was nice to network with the Supply Corps Community, I do not have as many opportunities to meet and greet other Supply Officers on a forward deployed ship.

Johor Strait Transit

The last time the USS CURTIS WILBUR visited Singapore, we had a berth in the Singapore Navy Base. This time our repairs needed to be done at a different base, Sembawang. To reach Sembawang we entered a narrow strait. It was a little weird for me to be up on the bridge watching a warship navigate waters no wider than a large river. On one side of the strait was Singapore and on the other was Malaysia. As both countries are strong allies I do not think territorial waters came into play. Malaysia would have a role to play in a few weeks.

The strait was interesting, on one side was an industrialized nation with modern buildings, yacht clubs, resorts...etc. One the other, small shacks dotted a coastline dominated by undeveloped forest. The ship steamed past oil refineries and factories farther in and that, along with the smell, brought me back to reality. Now I know why we were told not to swim in the water. People in small boats waved to us as we passed by, they were careful to keep out of our way.

As we neared the base, I could see quite a few merchant ships but no warships. I thought that was interesting for being a naval base. I reflected on what a Chief had told me a few minutes before about why Britain and the U.S. share a base so far inside of Singapore. Apparently during WWII, the Japanese invaded Singapore by crossing the Johor Strait from Malaysia and avoided the main batteries and defenses on the coast. After WWII ended a small base was established to defend Singapore from another similar attack. This base was never intended to permanently support warships. It is an excellent place to resupply and repair ships though, thus it currently serves as a hub for the Supply Corps.

Carrier Escort

After leaving Hong Kong our mission was to escort the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON out of the South China Sea before turning back for maintenance in Singapore. This should only have taken a couple of days. The Chinese had other plans though. As we escorted the carrier back out to sea, elements of the seventh fleet and the JSDF were trying to track a Chinese submarine. They had lost it sometime after it pulled out of port and after plotting the general area it could have been in, the carrier was too close. It was decided that the CURTIS WILBUR would need to provide extra security until the carrier reached the safety of Japanese waters.

Upon reaching Japanese territorial waters, we turned around and headed for Singapore, we were a few days behind schedule for our maintenance period. What was on most of the sailors minds though was the impending port visit. Some of them had scheduled their leave period to coincide with the visit. More details to follow on the jobs done in port.

We steamed back through the South China Sea alone this time. This was the perfect opportunity to cover the port brief. We had just finished our visit to Hong Kong and that was still where some minds were. Singapore was an entirely different port, friendlier yes, but much more strict. In the meantime I was inventorying the stores I had on board and trying to plan for what I needed ahead of time. I still had vivid memories of all the problems last time the ship was in Singapore. I wanted to avoid making the same mistakes.