Essex's MWR Continues Upgrades Aboard Ship
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061012-07
Release Date: 10/12/2006 12:15:00 PM
From USS Essex Public Affairs
USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Essex (LHD 2) Sailors and embarked Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) can take a break from the stress of Blue-Green workups conducted throughout October, thanks to "Iron Gator's" Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR).
MWR has made changes, such as upgrading the ship’s gym and providing entertainment on the mess decks.
“When the Sailors and Marines are happy, we’re happy. That’s our job and we have a great time doing it,” said Essex’s MWR Chief, Chief Cryptologic Technician (Repair) (SW/AW) James Dawkins. “We’ve added new equipment and purchased several flat screen TVs for the gym. It’s really going to be great once it reaches its completion because the Sailors and Marines deserve the best.”
According to Essex’s MWR Fun Boss, Mick Hultz, in addition to the 12 new 20-inch television screens, MWR has added other items to the gym and more is planned.
“We received new weight belts, scales, and lock collars for the olympic bars, and the future plan is to install a cardio theatre system,” said Hultz.
The fun doesn’t begin and end in the gym. On the mess decks, the after-hours schedule includes “Bored (board) Game Night” on Mondays; “Karaoke Night” on Fridays; a MWR/Medical Seminar series on Saturdays; and “Big Bucks Bingo” on Sundays via the ship’s Shipboard Information, Training and Entertainment (SITE) closed circuit television station.
“Right now things are going well,” said Hultz. “We are so busy with all of the activities going on and planning for upcoming ports. The commanding officer and executive officer are very supportive of MWR and what we are trying to do for the Sailors and Marines aboard the ship. I have been on the Essex for about seven months as the afloat recreation specialist, and I am pleased with the direction MWR is going.”
Essex is currently participating in Blue/Green workups with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked in preparation for the fall patrol, which includes exercises with the Republic of the Philippines.
Essex, commanded by Capt. Brian T. Donegan, is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and is the flagship for the Sasebo, Japan-based Essex Expeditionary Strike Group, which serves under Commander, Task Force 76. Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.
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