USS Stethem Makes Okinawa Port Visit For White Beach Festival
By USS Stethem Public Affairs


The guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) is assisted pier side by local tugboats while Navy security department personnel observe as the ship pulls into White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan Nov. 11.
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Roadell Hickman

The guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrived in Okinawa, Japan to participate in the 2010 White Beach Festival Nov. 12. Her arrival in White Beach marks the first U.S. Navy ship to visit during the festival in a decade.

As part of the festival, Stethem provided open ship tours to community service projects, as well as an opportunity for the crew to explore Okinawa.

“This weekend’s visit is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment and support to Japan,” said Cmdr. Henry Adams, Stethem commanding officer. “By providing opportunities for the local community and our crew to interact directly, through ship tours, local service projects, and friendly sports competitions, we are also facilitating important cultural exchange between our Sailors and the Japanese people.”

Stethem Sailors conducted open ship tours on both days of the White Beach Festival. In addition to a beach clean-up community relations project, Stethem strengthened bonds with local Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors through several sports competitions.

Stethem Command Master Chief Kelvin Coleman said this is a return visit to a well-loved duty station.

“I met my wife here,” said Coleman. “So this visit is of personal importance to me. I am honored to have the opportunity to reinforce the friendship that is shared between our two nations, and am looking forward to returning to a port that will always remain very special to me.”