ANCHORAGE: The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Training Squadron (JMSDF) docked at the Port of Anchorage Wednesday. The JMSDF sends ships out every four to five years to different ports across the world, as a show of friendship and cooperation. The Director of the Port of Anchorage, Steve Ribuffo, said this is a very exciting visit for Anchorage, because it is the only U.S. pacific port call that the Japanese ship is making. “It’s a pleasure and an honor to have the Japanese Navy here and we look forward to the three days of wonderful interactions with the crew, and letting them see the hospitality of Anchorage,” Ribuffo said.
While the ship is here, some special VIP guests will be allowed on board for a tour. Along with that, the sailors plan to meet and interact with some of the military personnel on JBER, volunteer at the Food Bank of Alaska, and do a performance at Central Middle School. The ship and crew will stay in Anchorage for three days, seeing Anchorage and meeting some residents. The last time the JMSDF docked in Anchorage was in 2011, and Ribuffo believes that the training and knowledge they gained last time, will help to make this visit even more successful.
