USS Curtis Wilbur DDG-54 recently made a port visit to Qingdao China. I love this type of co-operation between the US and PRC. 
Maybe one day a CVN will be allowed to make a port visit somewhere else in the PRC besides Hong Kong. Nice story. Check it out.
Steel Hammer†Enjoys Historic Visit to Qingdao, China
Story Number: NNS050923-20
Release Date: 9/23/2005 8:00:00 PM
By Lt. j.g. Jessica L. Gandy, USS Curtis Wilbur Public Affairs
ABOARD USS CURTIS WILBUR, At Sea (NNS) -- The crew of USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), affectionally known as the “Steel Hammer,†enjoyed a three-day port visit to Qingdao, People’s Republic of China, Sept. 13-16.
As the crew manned the rails, Curtis Wilbur was escorted into port by her host ship, People’s Liberation Army (Navy) Qingdao (DDG 113).
Cmdr. John T. Lauer III, Curtis Wilbur’s commanding officer, and Command Master Chief CMDCM (SW/SS) Buck Bailey were greeted by Senior Capt. Wu Geng, director of the North Sea Fleet Headquarters General Office. Also attending the arrival ceremony were representatives from the Foreign Affairs Office of Qingdao, Qingdao Municipal Government representatives, Qingdao Garrison Command representatives and Beijing Naval Attaché, Capt. Kevin Ketchmark.
“This visit is important for promoting friendship and cooperation between the two navies and two countries, and most importantly to combat the threats of the world today,†said Geng during his welcoming remarks.
“The crew is very pleased to be in Qingdao and is looking forward to meeting the people of Qingdao. It is a great example of the growing cooperation between the United States and China,†Lauer said.
Curtis Wilbur’s visit marks the eighth visit by a U.S. Navy warship in Qingdao.
Once official ceremonies were complete, Sailors began experiencing all of the many liberty opportunities the city offered. Many Curtis Wilbur Sailors took advantage of the rare opportunity to visit a Chinese warship when their host ship Qingdao invited them on a tour.
“The food was good, and it was a chance to engage in conversation with people we won’t likely ever meet again,†said Bailey.
Sailors could be found at one of Qingdao’s renowned beaches, enjoying a mooncake during the mid-autumn festival and sightseeing in one of the biggest cities in eastern Asia. Sailors also frequented tourist attractions in and around the city, including the May 4th Square, the May 4th Monument and Zhanqiao Pier.
Embarked Destroyer Squadron 15 Chaplain Lt. Carla Barry and Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Eddy visited the Catholic Church, Christian Church and other significant landmarks of Qingdao.
“We were very surprised by the churches,†said Eddy. “They were beautiful. It had the impression of being in one of the great Cathedrals in Europe. We were able to enter the bell tower and saw a beautiful view of the city,†he said.
Ninety-five Sailors, including seven Curtis Wilbur chief petty officer selectees, enjoyed two MWR-sponsored overnight trips to nearby Beijing to visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Ming Tomb.
Shopping in Qingdao was the best part according to many Sailors. They frequented barter markets and souvenir shops throughout the city where they were able to purchase items made from silk, jade, jasmine and green tea.
Lt. Thomas Strenge, Curtis Wilbur’s weapons officer, who lived in Germany until he was 13 years old, enjoyed experiencing Qingdao’s German history and influence.
“Growing up in Germany, I learned a lot about German history. Qingdao was like one of those footnotes that you read at the bottom of a textbook. It was very interesting to see the architecture and German influence. Seeing a German church next to an East Asian pagoda made for an interesting contrast,†he said.
After the port visit and as Curtis Wilbur was departing, the ship and its escort conducted a communications and maneuvering exercise. The goal was to further enhance experience in navigational safety in the western Pacific, communication procedures and formation maneuvering.
“Exercises like this - military exercises between the United States and China - help to chart a peaceful course into the 21st century,†said Strenge, who was the coordinator for the exercise.
Lauer was delighted with the port visit to Qingdao, as well as the impression his Sailors made on the city.
“Overall, this was a phenomenal port visit," said Lauer. "Many of our Sailors had the opportunity to learn the rich culture and heritage of Qingdao throughout the visit, and I could not be any prouder of the crew than I am right now. They all exemplify what it means to be ambassadors and Sailors,†he said.
Curtis Wilbur is assigned to the Forward Deployed Naval Forces of Destroyer Squadron 15, the Kitty Hawk Strike Group and U.S. 7th Fleet. To learn more, please visit the Web site at
Maybe one day a CVN will be allowed to make a port visit somewhere else in the PRC besides Hong Kong. Nice story. Check it out. Steel Hammer†Enjoys Historic Visit to Qingdao, China
Story Number: NNS050923-20
Release Date: 9/23/2005 8:00:00 PM
By Lt. j.g. Jessica L. Gandy, USS Curtis Wilbur Public Affairs
ABOARD USS CURTIS WILBUR, At Sea (NNS) -- The crew of USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), affectionally known as the “Steel Hammer,†enjoyed a three-day port visit to Qingdao, People’s Republic of China, Sept. 13-16.
As the crew manned the rails, Curtis Wilbur was escorted into port by her host ship, People’s Liberation Army (Navy) Qingdao (DDG 113).
Cmdr. John T. Lauer III, Curtis Wilbur’s commanding officer, and Command Master Chief CMDCM (SW/SS) Buck Bailey were greeted by Senior Capt. Wu Geng, director of the North Sea Fleet Headquarters General Office. Also attending the arrival ceremony were representatives from the Foreign Affairs Office of Qingdao, Qingdao Municipal Government representatives, Qingdao Garrison Command representatives and Beijing Naval Attaché, Capt. Kevin Ketchmark.
“This visit is important for promoting friendship and cooperation between the two navies and two countries, and most importantly to combat the threats of the world today,†said Geng during his welcoming remarks.
“The crew is very pleased to be in Qingdao and is looking forward to meeting the people of Qingdao. It is a great example of the growing cooperation between the United States and China,†Lauer said.
Curtis Wilbur’s visit marks the eighth visit by a U.S. Navy warship in Qingdao.
Once official ceremonies were complete, Sailors began experiencing all of the many liberty opportunities the city offered. Many Curtis Wilbur Sailors took advantage of the rare opportunity to visit a Chinese warship when their host ship Qingdao invited them on a tour.
“The food was good, and it was a chance to engage in conversation with people we won’t likely ever meet again,†said Bailey.
Sailors could be found at one of Qingdao’s renowned beaches, enjoying a mooncake during the mid-autumn festival and sightseeing in one of the biggest cities in eastern Asia. Sailors also frequented tourist attractions in and around the city, including the May 4th Square, the May 4th Monument and Zhanqiao Pier.
Embarked Destroyer Squadron 15 Chaplain Lt. Carla Barry and Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Eddy visited the Catholic Church, Christian Church and other significant landmarks of Qingdao.
“We were very surprised by the churches,†said Eddy. “They were beautiful. It had the impression of being in one of the great Cathedrals in Europe. We were able to enter the bell tower and saw a beautiful view of the city,†he said.
Ninety-five Sailors, including seven Curtis Wilbur chief petty officer selectees, enjoyed two MWR-sponsored overnight trips to nearby Beijing to visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Ming Tomb.
Shopping in Qingdao was the best part according to many Sailors. They frequented barter markets and souvenir shops throughout the city where they were able to purchase items made from silk, jade, jasmine and green tea.
Lt. Thomas Strenge, Curtis Wilbur’s weapons officer, who lived in Germany until he was 13 years old, enjoyed experiencing Qingdao’s German history and influence.
“Growing up in Germany, I learned a lot about German history. Qingdao was like one of those footnotes that you read at the bottom of a textbook. It was very interesting to see the architecture and German influence. Seeing a German church next to an East Asian pagoda made for an interesting contrast,†he said.
After the port visit and as Curtis Wilbur was departing, the ship and its escort conducted a communications and maneuvering exercise. The goal was to further enhance experience in navigational safety in the western Pacific, communication procedures and formation maneuvering.
“Exercises like this - military exercises between the United States and China - help to chart a peaceful course into the 21st century,†said Strenge, who was the coordinator for the exercise.
Lauer was delighted with the port visit to Qingdao, as well as the impression his Sailors made on the city.
“Overall, this was a phenomenal port visit," said Lauer. "Many of our Sailors had the opportunity to learn the rich culture and heritage of Qingdao throughout the visit, and I could not be any prouder of the crew than I am right now. They all exemplify what it means to be ambassadors and Sailors,†he said.
Curtis Wilbur is assigned to the Forward Deployed Naval Forces of Destroyer Squadron 15, the Kitty Hawk Strike Group and U.S. 7th Fleet. To learn more, please visit the Web site at
