Sailors and Marines aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) anchored off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, March 27-31, for their first liberty port since departing San Diego Feb. 12.

During the four-day visit, the first foreign port visit for many, Sailors and Marines participated in cultural exchanges, sporting events, Morale, Welfare and Recreation tours and enjoyed the sights and sounds of Phuket.

"The crew has worked hard thus far this deployment, and has been looking forward to our visit to Phuket," said Capt. Glenn Jamison, commanding officer of USS New Orleans. "This is a great opportunity to relax, enjoy liberty in a beautiful port of call, and recharge our batteries."

During the visit, 48 Sailors and Marines took time out of their liberty to participate in community service projects to renovate and paint Holland House and Sunshine Village child centers. In addition, the New Orleans soccer team had the opportunity to participate in a soccer match with the Phuket Football Club.

"When we showed up to Sunshine Village the kids were ecstatic," said Lt. Jason Hart, the chaplain aboard New Orleans. "It was an amazing experience to work with the Thai children and see how grateful they were to have us helping them repaint their rooms."

Morale, Welfare, and Recreation offered a number of recreational activities for Sailors and Marines to productively occupy their liberty. A popular activity for the crew was touring the jungle on the back of an elephant. Other members enjoyed MWR-organized temple tours. The most exciting tour offered was a jungle cable adventure which involved Sailors and Marines zip lining hundreds of feet in the air throughout the jungle.

Seaman Julien Hedges described the cable adventure experience as breathtaking.

"The moment we jumped off the platform all you saw was jungle. It was incredibly beautiful and our tour guides were extremely hospitable," said Hedges. "I would go visit again in a heartbeat."

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit is conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations during a scheduled deployment in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1 or USS New Orleans (LPD 18), visit:
http://www.navy.mil/local/phibron1

For more news from COMPHIBRON ONE, visit http://www.navy.mil/.