Guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) and guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) “set sail” concluding a successful port visit to Phuket, Thailand, April 7.

While in port, Sailors had the chance to meet local citizens, experience local customs and traditions, and enjoy the many recreational activities offered in Phuket. For a few Sailors, however, rest and recreation were not the only activities on the schedule.

On April 4, Sailors from Port Royal and Ingraham volunteered for a special project with Kamala Elementary School in Phuket, which provides high-quality English language education to local children. The school was one of countless buildings destroyed in 2004 when a tsunami demolished most of Patong Beach.

“The school has basically been rebuilt from the ground up in four years,” said Port Royal Chief Fire Controlman Jonathan Scott, who helped to organize the event. “Our job in four hours was to refurbish 110 desks. It’s a miracle we accomplished that much, but the school itself is a miracle.”

“When the children saw the desks, they all smiled and gave us a thumbs-up,” said Lt. Mark Haley, a chaplain who ministers to all three ships. “They like their new-looking desks. The Sailors who participated really enjoyed the project, as well. The Thai people we worked with were very thankful and kind.”

Port Royal and Ingraham worked with the “Phuket Has Been Good to Us” Foundation, which is sponsored by the Patong Rotary Club and is designated as the local host in Phuket for arranging community relations events with visiting U.S. Navy ships.

“We accomplished a lot, but our primary mission was just to interact with people and spread goodwill,” said Scott. “The school benefited from our labor, but we also benefited from the opportunity to interact with the children and do some good.”

Port Royal, Ingraham and Hopper are part of the USS Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group, and are on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.