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Kearsarge Visits Jebel Ali, Dubai

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050613-08
Release Date: 6/13/2005 9:34:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Robert Keilman, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

JEBEL ALI, United Arab Emirates (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) visited Jebel Ali and Dubai, United Arab Emirates June 6-11.

During the port visit, the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation organization offered a variety of venues for service members to enjoy, including paintball, diving, golfing, and sand boarding, as well as a water park, city tours, and various safari and off-road adventures.

“The Wild Wadi Water Park was fun. I had a really good time,” said Engineman 3rd Class Janell Johnson, of Kearsarge’s hydraulic shop. “They had a ride called the Turbo Jet, where you relaxed in a raft while water jets pushed you along a river and through a dark tunnel.”

While some Sailors and Marines enjoyed a day in the sun at the water park, others took a desert safari tour, where they witnessed firsthand what it was like to four-wheel through a desert, while enjoying some Arabic traditions.

“We started off in some comfortable sport utility vehicles, where we went four-wheeling in the dunes,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Shawn Godin, of Kearsarge’s safety department. “We also did some sightseeing and took some photos of the landscape.”

“Also along the tour, we made a few stops to ride a camel and try some sandboarding,” Godin added. “Afterward, we went to a camp site where we enjoyed an Arabic barbecue.”

Operations Specialist Seaman Kevin Bass of Kearsarge’s operations department spent some of his free time participating in a Dubai City Tour.

"Our tour guide was very informative,” said Bass. “During the tour, the guide took us to a museum where we learned about Dubai’s history and culture.”

“He also took us sightseeing where we had a chance to take photos of the city’s architecture,” Bass added. “By the end of the tour, we took a trip in a water taxi to the city’s Gold and Spice Souk, where we did some shopping.”

Additionally, the USO offered several American fast-food facilities and souvenir shops next to the pier for the crew to enjoy.

When Sailors and Marines were not taking tours and shopping, many of them volunteered at the Dubai Autism Center and the Dubai Center for Special Needs. During their visit, Sailors had an opportunity to learn about the needs of children with developmental handicaps while assisting teachers and playing games with children.

Kearsarge is currently deployed conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf. MSO sets the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO denies international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.