Hong Kong-born aviation mechanic Lam Wing-cheung was the most excited of the 5,000 sailors in the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group yesterday when their ships entered Hong Kong waters for a four-day port call.
'I am very happy as I have been waiting for this day for more than four years,' Lam said. 'I have so many plans, including visiting my old grandma, grandpa and other relatives, shopping and eating Hong Kong-style food.'
Lam, 24, recognised as the best aviation mechanic in his 50-member team, said a port call in his home city was the best reward for his hard work during the strike group's seven-month mission in Afghanistan.
'Working on board is a tough job because we have to work 12 hours every day. And none of us could take a day off during the seven-month task,' he said. 'Visiting different places for port calls gives us a great time to relax.'
Lam moved to San Francisco with his family in 2002. He joined the US Navy 21/2 years ago.
'I am interested in aero-engine repair. And my team is responsible for helping pilots catapult their fighter jets from the carrier efficiently, and for aircraft maintenance,' he said. 'I am proud of myself because I have not made any mistakes over the past three months. That's why my name is printed on one of the aircraft.'
