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NAVELSG Deployment Group GOLF departs for the Middle East

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071102-19
Release Date: 11/2/2007 4:31:00 PM

By Lt. Penny Cockerell, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- More than 240 Sailors from the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) left on a flight from Naval Air Station Norfolk on Nov. 2 for a six-month deployment in the North Arabian Gulf.

The Arabian Gulf is a body of water more commonly known as the Persian Gulf.

The early morning departure marks NAVELSG's seventh (GOLF) cargo handling mission to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The NAVELSG Forward Headquarters and Port Group will oversee two major cargo handling missions in Kuwait to support combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Besides on loading and off-loading cargo vessels, GOLF Sailors will oversee cargo marshalling yards.

On hand at the NAS Norfolk air terminal were NAVELSG headquarters leadership and staff. Rear Adm. Sharon H. Redpath, NAVELSG commander, and her deputy, Capt. Mark Sakowski, shook hands and offered words of encouragement as each Sailor boarded the aircraft.

Many in the GOLF group are now on their second or third deployments, but this is the first time most will serve during the holiday season.

"This deployment brings with it the holidays and being away from family," said Port Command Master Chief Robert Tuten, a reservist who serves with Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 11. "Fortunately the Soldiers and Sailors are kept busy and MWR does a lot to make the holidays nice."

Those deploying a second or third time said they look forward to improved living facilities, a round-the-clock gym, and spending winter in the desert.

Each rotation has learned from the group before them. Those returning say quality of life and workflow improve with each rotation.

Yeoman 3rd Class Tiffany Giovannielli is serving on her second deployment –- but this time with higher expectations.

"Now I'm going out as a petty officer with more responsibilities. People are going to expect a lot of me," Giovannielli said. "But we're ready. We really pulled together during combat skills training and have great team spirit."

GOLF is comprised mostly of mobilized Navy reservists from 20 Navy Reserve units who reside in 10 states.

Most of the reservists come from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 11 in Jacksonville, Fla. and Navy Ordnance and Reporting Battalion in Yorktown, Va. Reservists are also reporting from units in Connecticut, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

NAVELSG is a component of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, which is a global force provider of adaptive force packages of expeditionary capabilities to joint warfighting commanders. NECC serves as a single manning functional command to centrally manage the current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of the Navy Expeditionary Force.