“Behave.”
This was the instruction given by Capt. Will Pennington, the USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) commanding officer, to crew members of the United States 7th Fleet command ship while they are in Manila for a four-day routine port visit.
The USS Blue Ridge dropped anchor at the South Harbor in Manila Thursday morning. The ship is scheduled to depart Monday, March 11.
Asked during a press briefing aboard the Blue Ridge if he had any special instruction to his crew during their four-day furlough in the country, Pennington said he told his crew to “just behave themselves and look after each other.”
The visiting sailors were also reminded to be “respectful of their host nation” as they should be good ambassadors of the US, he said.
Pennington said this port visit gives embarked Marines, 7th Fleet staff and Blue Ridge sailors the opportunity to experience Manila’s unique culture, at the same time, provide sailors with several community service events.
“Port calls in Manila are a demonstration of the continuing friendship between our two nations, and are a tremendous opportunity for the crew to experience the warm and friendly Filipino culture,” said Pennington.
“Our partnership and alliance is long standing and mutually beneficial. We are looking forward to community service events, sporting games, and subject matter expert exchanges with our Philippine Navy counterparts,” he said.
He said a large percentage of the crew of the 7th Fleet flagship is composed of Filipino sailors who are getting the chance to reconnect with family and friends for the first time in many years.
The USS Blue Ridge has 969 crew members, including 167 officers and 802 enlisted personnel.
One of the Filipinos on board, Culinary Specialist 1st Class Sukarno Ikbala, said this is the first time he is returning to the Philippines in more than five years.
“I’m very excited to take part in the events planned with the community and spending some quality time with my family that lives here.”
Another Filipino sailor, Chief Petty Officer Archie Amante, 34, asked journalists about traffic in Manila.
“Is it still the same way to go to Tondo?” said Amante, a native of Gagalangin, Tondo, and a 15-year veteran of the US Navy.