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NAS Keflavik Sports a Ton of Relief for the Coast

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060912-07
Release Date: 9/12/2006 4:58:00 PM

From Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Professional Development Center

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Volunteers at Naval Air Station (NAS) Keflavik, Iceland, and the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Professional Development Center (NMOPDC) in Gulfport, Miss., worked together to donate sports equipment to youth athletic programs here this summer.

Marine Staff Sgt. Tammy Clifford of the 932nd Air Control Squadron at NAS Keflavik, Iceland, and soccer commissioner for the Keflavik Youth Athletic Association (KYAA), sent Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tannahill, executive officer of the NMOPDC and former KYAA soccer commissioner, an e-mail about last year's volunteer barbecue and mentioned that with the impending base closure, the KYAA no longer needed their sports equipment.

"Icelanders don't play baseball or hockey and very little basketball, so I asked Staff Sgt. Clifford if she could send it down here to replace some of the gear lost in Hurricane Katrina," said Tannahill.

While Clifford arranged for pack-up and shipping of the equipment, Tannahill contacted John Sigafoose, a retired aerographer's mate 1st class and president of the Long Beach Youth Basketball League, to see if he would be interested in equipment. Since much of the equipment was lost in the storm, Sigafoose knew the athletic programs would be very grateful.

“We’ll take whatever you can give us,” he replied.

The boxes of gear were shipped to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation department at the Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) in Gulfport, Miss.

Sigafoose and Bob Paul, the Long Beach recreational director, went to the NCBC with a truck and trailer to pick up the 1,879 pounds of baseball, soccer, basketball and hockey gear. Aerographer's Mate 1st Class (SW) Andrew Ribar and Aerographer's Mate 1st Class Melvin Hall, both NMOPDC Sailors, provided some added muscle.

Ribar and Hall were glad to be a part of restoring sports to the coast’s youth.

"I thought it was neat to be able to bring some of the joy from NAS Keflavik's sports programs to kids on the Gulf Coast," said Ribar, a former Keflavik resident.

Hall, who also serves as a local baseball coach said, "I've played baseball since I was little and now my sons play. I can't imagine having a year without sports for kids in America, so I was glad to help."

"I know the youth directors along the coast,” Paul added,”and anything Long Beach can't use will go to another youth program affected by Katrina."

For related news, visit the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnmoc/.