USS Kidd Docked in Port Klang

Commander Jennifer Ellinger chats with media representatives. (U.S. Embassy photo)

Group photo with media representatives. (U.S. Embassy photo)

On January 26, nine Malaysian media outlets toured the USS Kidd in a visit organized by the Embassy in cooperation with DAO Office.  The ship’s Commanding Officer, Cdr Jennifer L. Ellinger, described the ship and it mission during a press availability.  Following the press availability, the journalists and photographers toured of all areas of the ship, including  the ship’s sophisticated Combat Information Centre. 

The event lasted for two hours with questions from reporters focused mainly on the ship’s recent rescue of an Iranian vessel from Somali pirates who had been holding them hostage for over 40 days, capturing 15 pirates in the process with no casualties.  As a result of the media tour, the USS Kidd’s visit to Kuala Lumpur was covered by both mainstream media and television stations.