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USS Gettysburg Visits Bahrain

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110719-13
7/19/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Betsy Lynn Knapper, USS Gettysburg Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) departed Manama, Bahrain, July 14, after a port visit to the city.

Gettysburg had been underway for 26 consecutive days prior to pulling into Bahrain.

"We had a successful port visit," said Cmdr. John Gray, USS Gettysburg executive officer. "This port visit gave the crew a chance to relax and recharge their batteries."

Aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) also pulled into port with Gettysburg, and both ships' Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs worked together to provide liberty activities for the Sailors. Tours, such as an Arabic style lunch and dinner, swimming with dolphins, a guided culture tour, snorkeling and other swimming opportunities allowed the crew members to take advantage of time away from the ship.

The committees also coordinated sporting events throughout the visit including softball, flag football and basketball tournaments where Sailors from both ships could compete together.

"The competition and the heat were both tough, but it was a great alternative to the usual port activities," said Quartermaster 2nd Class Victoria Hobgood. "Team Gettysburg went out and played our best, and we had a blast."

In addition to the tours and sporting events, Sailors had the opportunity to visit Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, where they were able to shop for needed items and use the Internet and phones to communicate with family and friends back home.

"The other big benefit of being by NSA was being closer to the logistics support which allowed us to resupply and conduct some much needed voyage repairs," said Gray.

Bahrain marked the forth port visit of Gettysburg's 2011 deployment.

Gettysburg is on a routine deployment as part of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group, comprised of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), guided-missile cruisers Gettysburg and USS Anzio (CG 68), and guided-missile destroyers USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103).