Adib Noor
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DD 76) welcomed foreign dignitaries in Brunei onboard yesterday.
The United States (US) Navy ship is berthed at the Muara Port from July 22 – 26, as it makes a port call to Brunei in honour of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 76th birthday celebration.
Welcoming US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Caryn McClelland and US Embassy in Brunei Darusslam Deputy Chief of Mission Emily Fleckner was USS Higgins Commanding Officer Commander Joseph McGettigan.
Joining the US Ambassador were High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Brunei Darussalam John Virgoe, High Commissioner of Singapore to Brunei Darussalam Heng Aik Yeow, and Counsellor/Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan Suda Atsushi.
The commander shared that Brunei is the USS Higgin’s first foreign port call after the pandemic. This routine port call highlights the US and Brunei’s continued cooperation and the US’ strong support for the region.
