Pinckney Represents USN at ASEAN 50th Anniversary in Thailand

Photo By Craig Rodarte | 171119-N-YR245-481 PATTAYA CITY, Thailand (Nov. 19, 2017) Sailors from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) walk in a parade during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Pattaya City, Thailand. Pinckney is part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group on a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Craig Z. Rodarte/Released)  

PATTAYA, THAILAND

11.20.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Craig Rodarte 

Carrier Strike Group 11

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) participated in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Pattaya Bay, Thailand, Nov. 17-20.

More than 40 ships from 19 different countries anchored in Pattaya Bay for the event, which included an International Fleet Review (IFR), the 11th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting, and a parade.

“The International Fleet Review fostered strong partnerships that will help ensure peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Cmdr. Frank Walter, commanding officer of Pinckney. “We are proud to have represented the United States.”

ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization comprised of 10 Southeast Asian states that promotes Pan-Asianism and intergovernmental cooperation, facilitating economic, political, military, educational, and cultural integration amongst its members and Asian states.

The IFR included a Sea Review, during which Pinckney Sailors manned the rails in their white uniforms, rendering honors as a presidential review ship passed from bow to stern. Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chanocha and Minister of Defense Prawit Wongsuwon led the review before returning ashore.

Thousands of locals lined the streets for the parade, which featured Sailors from each nation. Participants waved flags from their respective countries as the crowd cheered beneath a multitude of lights and street decorations.

Pinckney Sailors joined international crews on bleachers for a front-row experience as local performers passed on floats along the parade route.

“Thai people are an exceptional group of people and I think the crew really enjoyed the experience of Thai hospitality,” said Walter. “As a crew we are part of a much larger partnership and friendship in Southeast Asia.”

The visit also gave Pinckney’s crew a chance to experience the rich culture of Thailand through visits to temples, restaurants, and other popular sites.

“My time in Thailand was well spent, the locals were helpful and friendly,” said Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Chris Capalbo, from Portage, Mich. “It was interesting to see all the different cultures and nations represented in the parade, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be part of representing Pinckney and the U.S. Navy.”

Pinckney is part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group on a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

For more information about Pinckney, visit
http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg91/Pages/default.aspx

For more information about Carrier Strike Group 11, visit http://www.nimitz.navy.mil/csg_11.html or www.facebook.com/carrierstrikegroupeleven

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/csg11/.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2017
• Date Posted: 11.24.2017 05:11
• Story ID: 256418
• Location: PATTAYA, TH