USS JOHN C. STENNIS, at sea - Ships from the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) departed the Republic of Singapore Jan. 30 following a four-day port visit, and began two days of training with the Republic of Singapore Navy before beginning their transit to the U.S.

Sailors from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and guided-missile destroyers USS Dewey (DDG 105) and USS Pinckney (DDG 91), experienced the country's unique mix of cultures, volunteered in the local community and hosted more than 1,500 guests aboard the ship for tours and a reception held in Stennis' hangar bay.

"The opportunity to visit the Republic of Singapore for us is an honor and a privilege," said Capt. Jeff Graf, executive officer of Stennis. "Our Sailors have been working very hard for several months and Singapore offers endless opportunities for them to relax and enjoy themselves."

Sailors also hosted a young-women's leadership forum for female students from Nanyang Technological University and Raffles High School. "It was such a fulfilling experience to be able to share my experiences as a female in the military with this group of young women who will be the future leaders of their country," said Ensign Colleen White, an information systems officer aboard Stennis. "They were intelligent, full of energy, and I hope I inspired them as much as they did me."

The JCSSG is comprised of Stennis, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Mobile Bay, as well as Pinckney, Dewey and guided-missile destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and USS Kidd (DDG 100) from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21.