Viet naval ship visits Cambodia ... its colony

Vietnamese naval ship visits Cambodia

Sunday, 05/09/2010
Vietnam Net (Hanoi)

The two Vietnamese naval ships HQ375 and HQ376 docked at a port in Sihanouk city, Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia to begin an official friendship visit on September 3-6.

This first visit by the Vietnam People’s Navy aims to strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Vietnam’s delegation met with leaders of Preah Sihanouk province and the two sides agreed that the event marked a new phase in the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship.

Later, the ships reached Phnom Penh to meet with the Cambodian Minister of National Defense and visited Ream navy base to take part in friendship sports events.

US Navy destroyer takes port call - in Cambodia

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Sihanoukville, Cambodia (dpa) - A US destroyer arrived in the southern Cambodia deepwater port of Sihanoukville on Saturday for a five-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

The 155-metre USS Mustin (DDG-89), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, arrived with its crew of nearly 300 to embark on a goodwill mission, which will include free dental clinics, repairs of local schools and hospitals and other humanitarian work.

The crew will also conduct training programs with the Cambodian naval personnel. There will also be demonstration operations, including one on disaster rescue.

Sihanoukville is about 240 kilometres from the capital, Phnom Penh.

"This is an example of the commitment of the US and Cambodian navies to good relations in the region, and is a commitment by the US towards strengthening regional security," Captain Charles William said at a welcoming ceremony.

This is the third visit of a US naval vessel to Cambodia in recent years after visits were suspended from the 1970s when the Khmer Rouge took power.

Officials said the free dental clinic will operate out of a local Buddhist pagoda from Sunday. The visit is scheduled to end Wednesday.

Aussies to make a port of call in Sihanoukville port

HMAS Anzac (Photo: Wikipedia)

10 Sept 2008
By Alain Ney
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from Khmer by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the original article in French

Starting from Wednesday 10 September, and until Saturday 13 September, the Australian warship HMAS Anzac will make a visit in Sihanoukville.

The visit marks the strengthening of the bonds between Cambodia and Australia which are united in a defense cooperation program. During the four-day-visit, the Aussie ship Captain plans to call on several local officials, including Sbong Sarath, the new CPP governor of Sihanoukville.

Besides a visit to the Cambodian naval base in Ream, Australian navy personnel will also face a busy sport competition program, including volleyball pitting them against Cambodian teams.

During their free time, the Aussies will also be sightseeing the region, and maybe some of them will even succumb to the nocturnal charms of the resort area.

Cambodians Get Medical Aid, English Lessons from U.S. Military

USS Essex, Marine unit work with Sihanoukville-area communities

05 December 2007
By Peggy B. Hu
USINFO Staff Writer

Washington -- Providing medical and dental care, teaching English, fixing buildings and strengthening military ties between the United States and Cambodia were among the projects the USS Essex and a Marine expeditionary unit attached to the ship undertook during a recent port visit to Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

"Essex sailors are honored to have the opportunity to visit the Kingdom of Cambodia as part of the broadening and deepening relations between our navies and our two governments," Captain Brian T. Donegan, the Essex's commanding officer, said in a U.S. Navy press release.

During their weeklong visit November 26-December 1, U.S. military personnel worked with Cambodian teams to provide medical services -- including cataract surgery -- and dental care to communities in Cambodia's Kampong Cham and Preah Vihear provinces and to construct two bridges and a culvert to connect the villages of Sre Sa and Oloy in Kampong Chhnang province.

The Essex and the Marine unit also conducted military-to-military training; participated in a three-day cultural exchange program at the National Defense University in Phnom Penh; and performed community relations projects such as making basic repairs to buildings, providing basic English classes and distributing donated materials such as books and clothing through the U.S. Navy's Project Handclasp program.

On the lighter side, sailors and Marines played duck-duck-goose, hopscotch, marbles and soccer (football) games with children at local primary schools; participated in a soccer tournament and barbecue with Cambodian army cadets at Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville; and attended the second annual Christmas lighting ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. The U.S. 7th Fleet band also performed with local musicians at an orphanage.

"Having Essex come here allowed us to give something to the Cambodian people," Lieutenant Commander Ronnie Mangsat of Amphibious Squadron 11 said in a release from the Essex's public affairs office. "Coming here shows them what we are capable of and that we are willing to take the time to help our new friends."

The Essex's visit was the second by a U.S. Navy ship to Cambodia in 2007; the USS Gary visited in February. The Sihanoukville port visit was part of the Essex's annual fall patrol to East and Southeast Asia, during which the crew and its Marine unit will conduct training events focusing on sea- and land-based capabilities and interact with local communities.

(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

US Ship Docks in Sihanoukville

By VOA Khmer, Reporters
Original report from Washington & Phnom Penh
26 November 2007

The USS Essex, a 2,000-crew, 250-meter ship, docked in Sihanoukville Monday, the largest US ship to land at the port city in 30 years.

The ship will deploy its crew for "community relations events, medical and dental events and professional military exchanges," the US Embassy in Phnom Penh said in a statement.

Crew "will also have the chance to meet local citizens and experience local customs and traditions," the embassy said.

The ship's visit is the second US naval appearance this year, following decades of cooler relations between Cambodia and the US. Relations have improved, including the resumption of direct foreign aid and military aid to Cambodia this year.

USS Essex port visit in Sihanoukville

The USS Essex ports at the Gulf of Thailand near Cambodia's port town of Sihanoukville, 20 kilometers (137 miles) southwest of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007. The USS Essex arrived in Cambodia for medical, military and civic engineering missions. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

A helicopter prepares to land on USS Essex during its visit to Sihanouk ville town, 230 km (143 miles) west of Phnom Penh, November 26, 2007. The USS Essex and its crew of sailors and marines will be deployed to sites across Cambodia to provide medical and dental treatment, engineering and community relations projects, as well as conduct military-to-military exchanges and training. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

USS Essex Commanding Officer John L. Mayer, third from left, speaks during a press conference upon its arrival in Sihanoukville, 220 kilometers (137 miles) southwest of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007 for medical, military and civic engineering missions. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

A U.S. sailor offers money to street children as he rides in a motor cart Sihanoukville town, 230 km (143 miles) west of Phnom Penh November 26, 2007. The USS Essex and hundreds of U.S. sailors and marines will be deployed to sites across Cambodia to provide medical and dental treatment, complete engineering and community relations projects and conduct military exchanges and training. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

U.S. ship in Cambodia on medical, military mission

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The United States'　amphibious assault ship USS Essex arrived here on Monday morning to carry out medical, military and civic engineering missions in several provinces of Cambodia.

The staff members will carry out medical and dental operations for the civilians in Kampong Cham and Preah Vihear, civic engineering operation in Kampong Chhnang, military training with Cambodia's National Counter Terrorism Task Force and military exchange with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in Phnom Penh, as well as community relation construction programs in Sihanoukville,　said a press release from the U.S. Embassy.

The six-day stay comes out of the interests of both sides and the U.S. hopes for stronger relations with Cambodia in the future, said Captain Brian T. Donegan.

On the ship, Sihanoukville Governor Say Hak told reporters that　the arrival of the ship shows that the friendly relationship and cooperation between the two countries are deepened.

Piper Campell, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy, said that both sides will carry out more cooperation in the navy field and U.S. ship visits will continue in the coming times.

The 844-foot long, 44,000-ton vessel will stay in Cambodia until Nov. 2.

It is originally based in Japan, capable of transporting, deploying, commanding and supporting all elements of marine landing force of over 2,000 troops during an assault by air and amphibious craft.

Essex has been the second U.S. military ship that visited Cambodia this year. In February, the USS Gary guided missile frigate visited the kingdom and carried out civic mission in the country.

31st MEU, USS Essex Marines, Sailors arrive in Cambodia to foster relations

By: 31st MEU
Story by: Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani

SIHANOUKVILLE, Kingdom of Cambodia(Nov. 26, 2007) -- Marines and Sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Command Amphibious Squadron 11 and the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived here, Nov. 26 for a scheduled port visit.

More than 2,500 servicemembers are scheduled to provide medical and dental treatment to rural Cambodians, participate in engineering civic action projects, professional military exchanges, youth activities, and distribute hundreds of donated items, such as books, toys, clothes and medicals supplies across Cambodia to foster goodwill.

“Over the course of the next week, Marines and Sailors coming from the Essex will conduct two medical and dental clinics, build two bridges and participate in six community relations projects,” said Col. John Mayer, the 31st MEU commanding officer. “We will also (teach at) the National Defense University to help students with English and to understand our military forces.”

The MEU, Essex and CPR-11 have been granted a budget of more than 26,000 dollars for construction materials, 10,000 dollars for medical supplies and 2,000 dollars for community relation event donations, such as books, sporting equipment and school supplies, according to Maj. Eric Malinowki, the MEU logistics officer, and a native of Portsmouth, N.H.

During a visit to the Essex, Royal Government of Cambodia distinguished guests and U.S. military leaders spoke of the new beginnings this visit makes possible.

Piper Campbell, the Kingdom of Cambodia U.S. Embassy deputy chief of mission, explained this visit represents the continued friendship between the two nations and military services.

“I am honored to welcome the USS Essex and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to Sihanoukville,” said Campbell. “As you may know, this visit represents only the second time a U.S. Naval vessel has visit. These visits are a dramatic representation of the strengthening and broadening of the relationship between the United States and Cambodia. The visit of the USS Essex will build on these partnerships and help to deepen our ties.

“An important aspect of this visit is that thousands of Cambodians will have the opportunity to personally interact with some of America’s finest ambassadors,” added Campbell. "I can think of no finer symbol of the friendship between Americans and Cambodians than these people-to-people projects.

“I would like to thank his Excellency, the governor of Sihanoukville, and the entire Royal Government of Cambodia for all of their support in making this historic visit successful," Campbell continued.

Mayer expressed his gratitude for this opportunity to visit the Kingdom of Cambodia.

“On behalf of all the Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, I would like to thank each and every one of you for having our Marines and Sailors visit the Kingdom of Cambodia,” said Mayer, to members of the Royal Government of Cambodia, during a visit to the Essex. “All the Marines and Sailors from the MEU are excited and absolutely see this as an opportunity to meet the people of Cambodia and see this historical land.”

The visit is part of the Cambodia Theater Security Cooperation, which is intended to build on the relationship between the U.S. and Cambodian governments and develop interoperability between U.S. forces and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.