Aircraft carrier USS George Washington's (CVN 73) Culinary Specialists (CS) provide a monthly birthday meal to Sailors who celebrate their birthdays while underway.

"The birthday meal is an initiative that various ships use to boost crew morale," said Lt. Cmdr. Rasaq Balogun, the ship's services officer. "It reminds Sailors that even at sea their birthdays should not, and will not be forgotten."

Since commencing its Southern Seas 2015 deployment, Washington's Food Services division has served two birthday meals to the ship's crew. Washington CSs said preparing birthday meals for the crew allows them to take a break from the monotonous routine.

"We look forward to having formal meals to celebrate their birthdays," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Rico Tomaz. "It gives us a break from the daily routine we lock into while underway."

Washington crewmembers expressed their gratitude for the efforts of the ship's supply department.

"It's the little things like this that make a difference," said Aviation Electrician's Mate Airman Ezekiel Gonzales. "We work hard completing our tasks in regard to mission success. It goes a long way to step back from that and appreciate something as little as this."

Balogun said preparing the birthday meals serves as an opportunity for Washington CSs to showcase their skills.

"The CS's love to practice their culinary skills when creating these dishes for the birthdays," said Balogun. "We are all just glad to have an opportunity to be part of these Sailors' day."

Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2015 which seeks to enhance interoperability, increase regional stability and build and maintain relationships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/.