NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – The amphibious ship USS Iwo Jima made a port visit to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from, Nov. 11 to 13.
Iwo Jima pulled into GTMO for fuel, supplies, crew liberty and to perform an environmental wash-down on their equipment.
“This is the second port visit to GTMO for Iwo Jima during this deployment,” Nathaniel Evans, chief boatswain’s mate, the naval stations harbor leading chief petty officer.
The naval station started making preparations for the ship’s visit well in advance of its arrival.
Port operations personnel coordinated every service that Iwo Jima requires including 800,000 gallons of fuel, supplies from GTMO’s Navy Exchange, base transportation and crew recreational planning, said Lt. Cmdr. Lareava Meschino, the port operations officer.
“We also organized a ‘meet and greet’ for Iwo Jima where a port brief on what is available at GTMO was presented,” said Meschino.
While the Iwo Jima is at GTMO, the crew will be taking advantage of the services offered by the Personnel Support Detachment.
PSD will provide customer service to 50 sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima, said Chief Personnel Specialist Dale Estridge, the PSD’s leading chief petty officer. The detachment is providing travel assistance, Common Access Card renewals, and other administrative support.
Iwo Jima’s crew was also given the opportunity to use GTMO’s beaches, and is using Moral Welfare and Recreation facilities including the golf course, outdoor movie theater and sports complexes. Crew members are also taking time to shop at GTMO’s Navy Exchange and enjoy meals at various restaurants.