Wasp takes a break for Sports at GTMO

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Johnny Michael | Sgt. Alberto Trevino of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 goes back to pass during a football tournament held Nov. 17 at the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay recreation complex. Trevino was one of many Sailors and Marines embarked on the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp to participate in the Wasp MWR-sponsored sports day held during the ship's recent port visit to Guantanamo Bay. Wasp is currently deployed on Southern Partnership Station-Amphib with Destroyer Squadron 40 and embarked Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force. Southern Partnership Station is part of the Partnership of the Americas Maritime Strategy that focuses on building interoperability and cooperation in the region to meet common challenges.  

ABOARD USS WASP, AT SEA

11.21.2009

Story by Chief Petty Officer Johnny Michael 

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

USS WASP, Caribbean Sea — Sailors and Marines onboard amphibious assault ship USS Wasp took a break from the daily duties Nov. 17 to play sports at the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay sports complex during a recent port visit.

"The focus of the sports day was to give service members additional opportunities while we were in port. The quality of the sports complex and the condition of the fields made it that much more appealing for the service members. Many of us have never played on fields this nice before," said Chief Petty Officer Tony Koch, Wasp's MWR Officer.

Wasp's Morale Welfare and Recreation department set up the sports day and gave the crew a choice of playing either softball or flag football. The sports complex was equipped with a basketball court, volleyball net and an extensive skate park for any skateboarders wanting to test out the half-pipe or rails.

"[The sports day] was a great set-up; we should do it more often. This was definitely a morale booster for us," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Will Applewhite.

Several teams took part in double-elimination softball tournament. Unfortunately the championship game was cut short due to rain, leaving the team from Electrical division as champions with an unblemished 2-0 record.

"This is the first time we've done this as a division. The atmosphere is great, the sports facility is great and it's just a lot of fun, a lot of good people," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Brad Peterson. "When you get a chance to go out and play sports it helps people to get to know each other outside of work and a chance to relieve some stress."

Across the field Sailors and Marines were running it out in multiple games of flag football. The initial game put Navy up against the Marines in a battle of the services. Navy held strong taking the win, but after the first friendly battle they mixed up the teams. The teams kept score, but camaraderie is what won overall.

"We had a good time playing [football] with the Navy; it was good way to promote unit cohesion for the Wasp," Sgt. Alberto Trevino, with Marine Heavy Helicopter squadron- 461.

No matter the sport, the MWR activities offered plenty of fun competition, a chance to get away from the stress of the deployment, and an opportunity to enjoy the company of shipmates.

Wasp is currently deployed on Southern Partnership Station-Amphib with Destroyer Squadron 40 and embarked Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force. Southern Partnership Station is part of the Partnership of the Americas Maritime Strategy that focuses on building interoperability and cooperation in the region to meet common challenges.

• Date Taken: 11.21.2009
• Date Posted: 11.21.2009 14:37
• Story ID: 41869
• Location: ABOARD USS WASP, AT SEA