The Source for Navy News

Sailor Reenlists at the Bottom of the World
Story Number: NNS080204-11
2/4/2008

By Lt. Sean Spicer, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Public Affairs

MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica (NNS) -- A boatswain's mate second class, who was up for reenlistment during a trip to the bottom of the world took advantage of the rare opportunity.

During his 15 years in the Navy, Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Chris Townes has reenlisted four times, but his fifth reenlistment was definitely his most memorable.

Townes, who hails from Chicago, Ill., reenlisted Feb. 2 at the bottom of the world while on duty at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

"I knew I was going to be here and I wanted to reenlist while I was here. 'How many people can say they reenlisted in Antarctica?'" said Townes.

Townes is member of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1 based in Williamsburg, Va., which recently sent a detachment to Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze 2008.

The team of 59 cargo handlers will unload roughly 650 pieces of cargo weighing close to 12 million pounds from the Military Sealift Command Ship, MV American Tern (T-AK-4729). They will then backload approximately 450 pieces weighing roughly 8 million pounds of equipment, research, scraps, trash and human waste back on the ship to be hauled off the continent.

"We play an essential role helping to restock the resources they need here and getting rid of the things they need to get out," said Townes.

"It was a great opportunity for Petty Officer Townes to reaffirm his commitment to his career in the Navy in such a wonderful and unique environment," said Lt. Josh Heivly, the officer in charge of the detachment.

The cargo handlers are part of Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, which is a component of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). NECC 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.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/nelsf/.