Sailors and Marines aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) put a creative twist on Halloween festivities with their own version of a fall festival, October 31.

Streamers were hung from the overhead, music was playing, and activities such as bean bag toss and a variety of card games were being played, and Sailors and Marines could be found laughing on the mess decks during a Halloween festival.

"Things like this are important, especially for the Iwo Jima, we just got back from a six-month deployment," said Jessy Howard, Fun Boss aboard Iwo Jima.

“It gets the officers, the chiefs, the enlisted crew, the Marines and everyone together and cohesive, and it allows everyone to bond and just have fun,” said Howard.

In the week leading up to Halloween, Sailors from the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department got the crew in the spirit by holding a door-decorating contest.

“Things like that matter,” said Cmdr. Thomas Jenkins, Iwo Jima’s supply officer while announcing the winner of the contest. “It matters for morale, and it matters to the camaraderie of the crew.”

The crew of Iwo Jima and the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit didn’t celebrate on their own; the experience was shared with members of Her Majesty’s Corps of the Royal Marines X-ray Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines who are embarked on the ship for Trident Juncture 2018.

“We’ve got an unbelievably close tie with the Americans,” said Royal Marine commando Lance Cpl. Luke Flannery. “When we get a trip with the Americans, we’re excited. We enjoy it. Whenever we get told to work with the Americans, it’s always good news. We’re more than happy to be here, especially doing this. Everyone’s having a good time.”

Howard also discussed the importance of building international allies during an exercise as large as Trident Juncture, as well as the importance of having a good time while you’re doing it.

“I think it’s really important that while we’re out here doing such a big exercise like this, that we are building those relationships, and I think it’s a really good experience for our young guys to be able to meet these guys and come together and not just work, but also have fun together,” said Howard.

Howard could be seen wearing a smile most of the night as she saw the Sailors, Marines, and Royal Marine commandos singing, playing and laughing together.

“It’s amazing,” said Howard. “Seriously, that makes my job everything. It’s the reason why I do this. I love seeing that.”

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