• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Sports, Burgers Bring Nations Together During SPS 2010

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100804-27
8/4/2010

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Robert Winkler, Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

BAHIA MALAGA, Colombia (NNS) -- USS New Orleans (LPD 18) along with Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 and other embarked units participated in a sports day and barbecue with Colombian service members at Naval Base Bahia Malaga, Colombia, Aug. 1, during Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station (A-SPS) 2010.

After a short boat ride, the participants arrived at the Colombian naval base where they were greeted by their competition.

Within minutes, the ship's teams for soccer, basketball and volleyball were bused to the arenas of their specific activity and the players began to warm up.

By the end of the game, the Colombians had earned the first victory and both teams were covered in sweat and mud.

"I'm glad I got the chance to see how American Sailors laugh and have fun," said Ensign Andres Urbina, of the Colombian navy. "I enjoy listening to them speak and watching the way they interact. I feel like everyone here has been really friendly. Being able to get along is important because if we can get along this well when we're competing against each other, we can get along even better if we're working together as a military team."

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Oliver Sicat, from New Orleans' Supply Department, was one of the Sailors from the ship who signed up for the soccer competition.

"It was a good game," said Sicat. "They beat us 9-3, but we had a great time while we were playing. It was fun getting to meet some Colombian Sailors, and if I ever meet any Colombians in the future, I think I'll try to get them to play another game of soccer so I can redeem myself."

Basketball took place at a different location on the base, and the competition was fierce between the United States and the Colombians. The teams went head-to-head until the end, keeping the score close before the Colombians pulled ahead with a four-point win.

Operations Specialist Seaman Phillip Smith of the PHIBRON 5 staff played for the U.S. team.

"The game was awesome," said Smith. "I think the competition in itself was fun, and I've never had the opportunity to play a team from another country. It was interesting because they play the same way we do. They use a lot of the same types of plays, and I guess basketball is basketball no matter what country you're from. The Colombians played with a lot of heart, and they wanted to win as much as we did. I think by the end of the game, both teams had earned a lot of respect for one another."

When the basketball and soccer games were over, everyone came together for a barbecue hosted by the ship and ate hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by New Orleans Command Master Chief Jeff Kozlik, who also helped organize the event.

The volleyball tournament was held in the same location as the basketball game, and there were team members present on each side who had played either soccer and/or basketball.

Volleyball was another close competition. The teams played four tight games, each winning two, with the U.S. team scoring a narrow victory in the final game to break the tie.

Colombian and U.S. Sailors gave each other high fives and pats on the back in congratulations for their performances. Then the sports day competitors had to return to the ship.

This visit will support U.S. Southern Command's goals of ensuring theater security, enhancing regional stability and strengthening relationships among regional partners. New Orleans has been conducting exercises and multinational exchanges with Mexico, Peru and Colombia to build on relationships built through previous Southern Partnership Station deployments. In addition to subject matter exchanges, A-SPS 10 will conduct humanitarian and civic assistance through community relations projects and Project Handclasp deliveries in the local area of Bahia Malaga.

New Orleans, along with PHIBRON 5 and other embarked units have already visited Manzanillo, Mexico; Lima, Peru; and are also scheduled to visit Balboa, Panama, during the remainder of the three-month deployment.