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USS Mustin Hosts CFAY Spring Festival Ship Tours
Story Number: NNS130331-04
3/31/2013

By Ensign Timothy Tran, CTF 70 Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) welcomed nearly 5,000 Japanese visitors aboard during Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka's (CFAY) 20th annual Spring Festival, March 24.

Guests toured the ship's flight deck, helicopter hangar, midships and forecastle, met Sailors and learned about the ship's capabilities.

"Our Sailors were excited for the opportunity to present Mustin and put our hard work on display," said Cmdr. Joseph J. Ring, commanding officer of Mustin. "The crew understands the importance of the relationship between the U.S. Navy and Japan and we hope that our visitors will appreciate our capabilities, professionalism and dedication to duty."

Visitors also participated in interactive displays of Mustin's damage control equipment and its visit, board, search and weizure (VBSS) team. On the pier, volunteers from the ship's Chief's Mess and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) committee sold refreshments and Mustin memorabilia to raise money for the crew's MWR fund.

The ship's "Hammerin' Hank Blues Band" played on the pier for an enthusiastic crowd.

"We put a lot of hard work into practicing and setting up, but it was worth it to see all of those smiles," said Cryptological Technician Maintenance 1st Class Jerrod Rickard, lead guitarist.

Mustin is an Arleigh-burke class guided-missile destroyer forward-deployed to Yokosuka and is a component of Destroyer Squadron 15 and the U.S. 7th Fleet to support of regional security and stability of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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