Enterprise Sailors Volunteer with Bahrain COMRELs
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS110418-12
4/18/2011
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gregory A. Pickett II
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), departed Bahrain, April 16, after spending part of their port visit volunteering in the local community.
More than 100 Enterprise crew members volunteered in port to interact with local citizens and share cultures by participating in various community relations projects (COMRELS) throughout Bahrain.
Coordinated by Enterprise's Religious Ministries Department, the Sailors and Marines played Bahraini soccer and basketball teams and visited a local shelter.
According to Lt. Cmdr. Henry Holcombe, Enterprise chaplain and COMREL coordinator, athletic tournaments are a positive way to do something both cultures enjoy such as a soccer match, building bonds between players and an appreciation for one another's culture, which can sometimes be difficult to establish in another setting.
"It's not about winning or losing, it's about building relationships with our host country," said Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Roberto Cerda, Enterprise's soccer team coach.
Sailors and Marines also spent time at the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain, where volunteers performed a talent show for women living in a shelter on the compound.
"We should be humbled by an experience such as this one, and I look forward to future opportunities to meet locals from another country," said Electronics Technician 1st Class Jonathan Sadler.
Enterprise Strike Group consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2. Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 are on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
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