Bulkeley Visits Naples, Italy and Souda Bay, Crete During Deployment
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080328-01
Release Date: 3/28/2008 2:19:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Wyscaver, Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
USS BULKLEY, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) has recently completed successful port visit to Naples, Italy March 6-10 and Souda Bay, Crete March 18-20.
Both port visits allowed the crew of Bulkeley to experience and enjoy all the amenities and sights each city had to offer.
"Naples, Italy was great for the crew with the proximity of Rome and Pompeii where everyone could get out and see some of the things they learned about in school," said Lt. Cmdr. Lex Walker, executive officer, Bulkeley. "Souda Bay, Crete, our second port visit, was another enjoyable experience for the crew. The local city of Chania offered nice food and shopping and then on base with the softball fields and MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) pier gave the crew an opportunity to a gel a little bit."
"We were fortunate to have the 'Argonaut' on our pier in Souda Bay, Crete which offered a full kitchen, free laundry, wireless internet service, and various billiard and ping pong games," said Ensign Megan Boyd, MWR officer on board Bulkeley. "The convenience of this establishment was absolutely wonderful as our Sailors were able to frequent the establishment on their own time and didn't need a liberty buddy to do so."
Boyd added, "MWR, along with the Supply Department on board, provided buses that ran to and from the NEX and Chania which allowed Bulkeley Sailors to stock up on any necessary supplies as well as afforded them the opportunity to walk around beautiful Chania and experience a different culture."
During the long journey of a deployment, where Sailors face obstacles on a daily basis in order to preserve the freedoms we have come to know so well, port visits play an important role in mission accomplishment.
"There are several reasons to why port visits are important during deployment. One, it gives the crew an opportunity to enjoy some rest and relaxation. It's also a further commitment to our relationships with our friends and allies around the world," added Walker.
In order to ensure Sailors are well-equipped with information on port city policies, attractions and amenities offered MWR goes the extra mile to take care of its Sailors.
Walker explained, "MWR is absolutely vital to the morale and welfare of the crew. In Naples, they were able to tell us where to shop, how to shop and various things to look out for. I think MWR works fantastically from one extreme to the next. The highest extreme being lots of tours set up and things like that to the basics of offering a place for Sailors to do their laundry."
While in Souda Bay, USS Bulkeley Sailors of all ranks and rates got the opportunity to take part in some friendly competition during the "Blueshirts vs. Khaki" softball game followed by a barbeque on the pier.
"The game was a rousing success. Camaraderie was had both on the victorious side of the Khaki's and the defeated side of the Blue shirts. Although the skill level varied greatly from shipmate to shipmate, I think a good time was had by all," said Lt. j.g. Christopher DiGiovanna, damage control assistant on board Bulkeley.
"I love softball and I love to mingle with the crew. This game gave us a chance to have some fun competition without looking at the ranks on the sleeves or the collar devices, said Chief Intelligence Specialist (SW/AW) Eric Emory, independent duty intelligence specialist, command training officer on board Bulkeley. "We were able to let our hair down and enjoy the fun, the sun and a burger together as teammates and shipmates."
Bulkeley is a member of the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, currently serving in the Navy's 6th Fleet area of operations supporting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation efforts.
For more news from Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/esg8/.
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