The crew of Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) sailed alongside other navies during Sail Raja Ampat Aug. 22-23.
Sail Raja Ampat is part of a series of international maritime events hosted by the government of Indonesia in West Papua, Indonesia.
Crew members welcomed Indonesian Navy Ensign Michael Kasake, a Liaison Officer, onboard to help coordinate the ship’s participation in Sail Raja Ampat.
Rodney M. Davis Sailors manned the rails as the ship joined a formation of over 50 ships from Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia. The ships sailed past a crowd ashore at Torang Cinta Beach, Waisei on the island of Waigeo and rendered honors to distinguished visitors , which included the President of Indonesia, Susilo Yudhoyono, and U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Deputy Commander, Rear Adm. Robert Girrier.
Participation in events like Sail Raja help advance regional partnerships and alliances with navies throughout the region.
“Sail Raja Ampat was another great chance for us to work with our Pacific allies” said Cmdr. Todd Whalen, Rodney M. Davis’s commanding officer. “We also sailed with ships from Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia during Rim of the Pacific 2014 last month, so our participation in Sail Raja helps sustain those relationships.”
Rodney M. Davis, based out of Everett, Washington, is on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.