August 26, 2009, Fukuoka – The USS Pinckney, a U.S Navy Aegis Guided Missile Destroyer currently deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group arrived in Fukuoka for a four-day goodwill visit. The Pinckney is home ported in San Diego, California, and this was the first time to Japan for many of the sailors on board. In his remarks at the start of a media briefing, Commander Errin Armstrong noted that the visit also demonstrated U.S. commitment to Japan and the East Asia region.

While in port, the Commander and crewmembers paid courtesy calls to local authorities, conducted tours for guests and visited a local children’s home to play sports and games with the children. The crew also enjoyed sightseeing, shopping and learning about Japanese culture.