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"Ike" Sailors Experience Culture of Jebel Ali, Dubai

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061228-06
Release Date: 12/28/2006 12:37:00 PM

By By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Carla Morton

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) enjoyed some time off as well as a chance to experience a foreign culture during a five-day port visit to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 22-26.

While in Jebel Ali, crew members had the opportunity to sightsee in nearby Dubai. Some opted for one of many Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) organized tours and still others ventured out to explore the glamorous Middle Eastern city.

“It is a beautiful city,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) Airman Matthew Clark, of Air Department’s V-1 Division. “I really enjoyed the shopping. You could find just about anything you wanted there, it was really cool. Dubai wasn’t anything like I expected. I just thought it would be nice to step off the ship, but it turned out to be the best port yet.”

The possibilities were endless for the crew as MWR offered a wide array of activities from sand surfing to a sunset safari to a golf tournament.

“It was a great country and there was so much to do there,” said Electrician’s Mate Fireman Damein Rivers. “I went on the sunset safari. All the sliding around was great. We went four-wheel driving and sand boarding. It couldn’t get any better than that.”

In addition to tours, several Ike Sailors chose to spend some of their time playing sports with local citizens. Six Ike Sailors played basketball against a semi-pro team from Dubai.

“The team beat us by six points but a good time was had by all,” said Cmdr. John Maurice, Ike Command Chaplain. “They have invited the Sailors to another game if we return for an additional port visit.”

Whether it was their first visit to Jebel Ali or not, Ike Sailors enjoyed their time in the United Arab Emirates.

“It was real nice,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Darrell Robertson. “This is my sixth time here.”

Ike departed Jebel Ali Dec. 27, and returned to her mission in support of Maritime Security Operations.
Ike is the flagship for the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which includes embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Seven, and embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68); guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87); and the fast attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750), all homeported in Norfolk, Va.

The IKE CSG departed Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 3 for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and entered the Commander, Fifth Fleet area of operations on Oct. 30.