U.S. and Hong Kong (2007)

Navy NewsStand

Ship Support Office Helps Reagan Strike Group With Hong Kong COMREL

Story Number: NNS070309-12
Release Date: 3/9/2007 2:07:00 PM

By Bill Doughty, U.S. Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Yokosuka Public Affairs

HONG KONG (NNS) -- The Ship Support Office Hong Kong, part of U.S. Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Yokosuka, coordinated 10 community relations events for the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on March 8 and 9.

Sailors refurbished and painted facilities and spent time with residents at the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, the Cham Shan Monastery, the St. Barnabas Society and Home, and the Yi Lok Adult Training Centre, among others.

"It took one month to plan all the Strike Group's COMREL events. After the dates and duration of the events were set up, requirements for each project were then conveyed to the ship," said Julie Ong, administrative assistant and community relations coordinator at Ship Support Office (SSO) Hong Kong.

In addition to the service projects, FISC's SSO also facilitates the "Meals in the Home" program with local families, sponsored by the American Women's Association (AWA). Sailors get a chance to enjoy a home-cooked meal away from their ship, and families learn what it's like to be in the Navy.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Ed Cavins, officer in charge of the FISC Hong Kong Detachment and Ship Support Office, "The experiences are so positive that many of the Sailors sign up the next time they visit Hong Kong and the families sign up to host Sailors multiple times. It is not uncommon for Sailors and families to communicate even after the ship leaves."

Cavins added, "SSO is very proud of the role our office has in developing and promoting a positive image of the U.S. Navy in Hong Kong through COMREL projects and the Meals in the Home program sponsored by our partners in the AWA. I consistently receive positive feedback from the Sailors and community."

The SSO worked closely with the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong to arrange many of the community relations events.

According to Lt. Christine Wong, assistant officer in charge of SSO Hong Kong, the team provides an array of logistics and fleet support.

"Our logistics support includes coordination with the contractor, scheduling of port entry and exit times, planning with local government agencies, organizing community relations projects, and ensuring the force protection and security requirements are met," said Wong.