USS Germantown (LSD 42)
3/4/2011 
USS Germantown (LSD 42) Sailors and Marines assigned to 31st MEU shake hands with the Sailors from the Indonesia Navy 

SURABAYA, Indonesia (Mar. 4, 2011) - USS Germantown (LSD 42) Sailors and Marines assigned to 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit shake hands with the Sailors from the Indonesian Navy, during a port visit sports day event. The port visit represents an opportunity for the Germantown crew to serve as goodwill ambassador to the U.S. promoting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and demonstrates commitment to regional partnerships and foster growing relationships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo C. Aquino)
USS Germantown Promotes Goodwill in Indonesia 
By  Mass Communication Specialist Geronimo C. Aquino 
SURABAYA, Indonesia – USS Germantown (LSD 42) Sailors and Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted multiple activities to promote goodwill in Suribaya, Indonesia.
The service members took advantage of the opportunity to bond and serve with Surabaya’s citizens and host nation military through a sports day and community service projects organized and coordinated by the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

A group of 50 Sailors and Marines met their host nation’s military counter-part at different locations inside the Komando Armada Ri Military Base, for goodwill games of volleyball, basketball and soccer.

“We are very happy to see the Americans,” said Lt. Josep Dani from the Indonesian Navy. “We waited, since we heard they are coming and we are very excited to play with them.”

The TNI team won soccer, one of the favorite sports in Indonesia, with the score of 4 and 2 for the U.S. team, after the game both teams praised the outcome of the play disregarding who was the winner.

“We have a lot of fun and I think, we did really well for the first time playing together,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Greg Ball. “It is a friendly match and the Indonesians are really hospitable.”

Other activities of the day included two community service projects at the Kadijah High School in Suribaya province and an English learning center at the Center for Civic Education (CCE) in Madura, island of East Java.

“I am proud and happy to see the U.S. Navy and Marines,” said Mustajab Bin Sumin, principal of the CCE. “They bring a lot of inspiration to our students who are eager to learn English by talking to them (Americans) personally.”

Both of the projects were designed to bring interaction and engagement though culture and language between the U.S. military and the students of both facilities.

“I love children and I looked and treated these kids just as my own children,” said Sgt. Tara Hudson from the 31st MEU. “They are natural and I was just being natural with them, they laugh, talk and do all these wonderful things kids do.”

Germantown is currently assigned to the forward deployed Essex Amphibious Group and is conducting an independent Western Pacific patrol of the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
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