What The WestPac Boats Are Up To

A reader in Japan sent some photos and stories about what a couple of our boats our on WestPac have been doing lately:

The USS GREENEVILLE (SSN 772) is currently deployed to the Western Pacific in support of the War on Terror. As part of her mission, the GREENEVILLE made a port visit to Chinhae, South Korea, in early April. Following a large multi-nation exercise, the GREENEVILLE enjoyed the tremendous hospitality of the South Korean community.
The South Koreans greeted the GREENEVILLE in tremendous style, with an entourage of several high ranking officers, members of the community, and a band.
The South Korean submarine, LEE JONG MOO, hosted the GREENEVILLE in a number of events. Both the LEE JONG MOO and GREENEVILLE crew members took part in a project at a home for the physically disabled in the Chinhae community.
The South Koreans continue to show unrivaled hospitality – a great reward for a crew hard at work in the Western Pacific Theatre.

Here are the pictures of a wreath presentation to the CO and the boat arriving (this isn't the easiest landing to conn into, btw):




USS Key West is also making friends out on the pointy end of the spear:

The KEY WEST (SSN 722) is currently deployed to the Western Pacific in support of the War on Terror. CDR Tom Ishee and his crew aboard the KEY WEST made a port visit to the relaxing venue of Sasebo, Japan, in early April. This port visit gave the crew and opportunity to enjoy some well earned rest and relaxation – while also participating in community projects.
The wardroom and crew of the KEY WEST manned shovels as they helped to clean-up the grounds of Tenshin Ryo Children’s home. The event allowed for the crew to play with children at the home, which will be remembered for a lifetime for not only the children but the crew themselves.
The KEY WEST also hosted a lunch to community members in which high ranking Japanese Navy Officers and the Vice President of the Sasebo Chamber of Commerce were able to man the scope of the KEY WEST.

Here's a photo of one of the crew with one of the children from the Children's Home: