Press Release

USS CHUNG HOON CREW ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY WORK
May 21, 2007

1. Monday, May 21st (9am onwards) - Assisting to build a playground in Pusat Bahagia
2. Tuesday, May 22nd (9am onwards) - Assisting in fixing/repair work of a home* in Kg. Menengah, Tutong.

Community relations projects such as the one being conducted at Pusat Bahagia (May 21) and repair work for a house* in Kg. Menengah provide a great opportunity for U.S Navy crew members to engage with the local community.

Backgrounder:
Hawaii-based USS Chung Hoon commanded by CMDR James Aiken, arrived in Brunei, Muara Port for a  scheduled port visit on May 19th. USS Chung Hoon is home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and has been conducting routine operations in the Western Pacific as part of the U.S.Seventh Fleet.

During their visit to Brunei sailors will have a chance to met local citizens, experience local customs and traditions and enjoy the many recreational activities offered in Brunei.  The crew will also conduct two community relations projects while in Brunei.

Ship’s Characteristics:
CHUNG-HOON (DDG 93) is the 43rd ship in the ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51) Class of Aegis guided missile destroyers - the U.S. Navy's most powerful destroyer fleet. DDG 93 is also the 20th Aegis destroyer to be launched and christened from Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, Mississippi.  Construction of CHUNG-HOON (DDG 93) began on January 17, 2001, and DDG 93's keel was laid on January 14, 2002.

Origin of Name:
The ship is named after Rear Admiral Chung-Hoon - a recipient of the Navy Cross and Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroism as commanding officer of USS Sigsbee (DD 502) from May 1944 to October 1945.  After retiring from the Navy in 1959, Rear Admiral Chung-Hoon was appointed by William Quinn, Hawaii's first elected governor since statehood, to serve as director of the state Department of Agriculture. Rear Admiral Chung-Hoon died in July 1979.