Three US navy vessels in Phuket

The USS Cleveland. File photo courtesy of the US Navy.

USS Rushmore underway. File photo courtesy of the US Navy.

PHUKET: -- Another three United States Navy vessels with over 500 crew members are in Phuket for five nights of rest and relaxation.

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore docked at the Phuket Deep Sea Port at Cape Panwa on Tuesday, followed by the smaller USS Patriot the following day.

All three vessels will stay in Phuket for five days and four nights.

The USS Patriot is the eighth US Navy vessel to R&R in Phuket since the beginning of 2010.

USS Curts and USS Benfold visited in February, while the mammoth USS Nimitz and her support vessels USS Pinckney and USS Rentz were in Phuket in January.

In addition to enjoying the nightlife, the sailors and marines are also taking part in five community relations projects in Phuket organized by the Rotary Club of Patong Beach and the Phuket chapter of the US Navy League.

Officers and crew of all three vessels enjoyed a welcoming party organized by the Navy League at the BBQ Hut Smokehouse in Patong last night.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-03-05

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It should be noted that, according to CDR Matthew B. Ashley, Defense Attaché US Embassy Bangkok, Phukets new U.S. Navy League is responsible for the change from Pattaya to Phuket as the location chosen by the US Navy on R&R in Thailand. Every time you hear about Phuket's economy getting in infusion of cash from the sailors of visiting warships, it's thanks to a few volunteers that recently formed the Southern Seaboard Council U.S. Navy League, who also volunteer alongside the sailors at the various community relations functions. (Painting schools and such)

http://navyleaguephuket.org/

It should be noted that, according to CDR Matthew B. Ashley, Defense Attaché US Embassy Bangkok, Phukets new U.S. Navy League is responsible for the change from Pattaya to Phuket as the location chosen by the US Navy on R&R in Thailand. Every time you hear about Phuket's economy getting in infusion of cash from the sailors of visiting warships, it's thanks to a few volunteers that recently formed the Southern Seaboard Council U.S. Navy League, who also volunteer alongside the sailors at the various community relations functions. (Painting schools and such)

http://navyleaguephuket.org/

Great, You guys are doing good work, keep it up.

Thanks