*EPF210 03/20/01
Text: Kitty Hawk to Be First U.S. Aircraft Carrier at Changi Base
(U.S. Navy has had presence in Singapore since 1960s) (400)

The USS Kitty Hawk will be the first U.S. aircraft carrier to moor at the Republic of Singapore's new deep-draft vessel pier at Changi Naval Base, the Department of Defense said in a March 20 news release.

The U.S. Navy has had a presence in Singapore since the mid-to-late 1960s, according to the Department of Defense. Currently, two commands are headquartered in Singapore to serve Navy ships when they transit through the area.

Following is the text of the news release:

(begin text)

NEWS RELEASE
from the United States Department of Defense

No. 118-01

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2001

FIRST US CARRIER TO MOOR PIERSIDE IN SINGAPORE

The Navy announced today that the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) will be the first U.S. aircraft carrier to moor at the Republic of Singapore's new deep-draft vessel pier at Changi Naval Base. Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Vern Clark, will join his Singaporean counterpart, Chief of Navy Rear Adm. Lui Tuck Yew, in commemorating this first-time event at Changi on Friday, March 23, 2001, at 4 p.m. Singapore Time.

This new facility is one of the few piers in the Pacific that is large enough to berth a carrier and only one of two located in Southeast Asia. The other pier is in Port Klang, Malaysia. Singapore's strategic location at the mouth of the Malacca Strait and the pier's deep-draft capability will enhance regional stability. Mooring pierside facilitates maintaining and provisioning carriers and large deck amphibious ships.

The Navy has had a presence in Singapore since the mid-to-late 60s. Currently, two commands are headquartered in Singapore to serve U.S. Navy ships when they transit through the area. Logistics Group, Western Pacific plans the re-supply of U.S. Navy ships with food, fuel and spare parts and ensures they get required maintenance. The U.S. Naval Regional Contracting Center procures supplies for ships and aircraft in the region.

The Kitty Hawk and other ships in the battle group are part of the forward-deployed naval force in Yokosuka, Japan, and are underway on their annual Spring deployment.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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