San Antonio Holds Steel Beach Picnic

GULF OF ADEN (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) took time off from daily operations to enjoy a steel beach picnic on the ship's flight deck, May 31.

A steel beach picnic is an outdoor barbecue on the flight deck that gives crewmembers a chance to relax and enjoy food, music and recreational games.

"The crew has done an outstanding job maintaining and operating the ship during this deployment," said Cmdr. Greg Baker, Executive officer of the San Antonio. "This event is our way of saying to the crew that their hard work and determination has not gone unnoticed."

Sponsored by the Chief Petty Officer Mess, the picnic welcomed ship's company and embarked squadrons. Morale, Welfare and Recreations (MWR) sponsored events such as soccer, football, and a push-up competition.

Volunteers and members from the chief's mess took on the task of providing more than 1,000 Sailors and Marines with barbecue-style entrees including baked beans, chicken, hotdogs, ribs and potato salad.

"An event like this brings the whole crew together and improves morale," said Cpl. Everado Morales. "With the smell of barbecue in the air and music playing in the back ground, I would say the day couldn't get any better."

San Antonio is deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

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