Every day of deployment, Sailors run back and forth across the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

On Dec. 3, they traded in their boots for running shoes and hit the non-skid for a 5K run in support of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).

Ike Sailors participate in a Heritage 5K annually to bring the crew together and raise funds for the CFC charity, giving back to help those in need.

"It's a celebration of heritage through fitness, fundraising, and fun," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelly Pankey, lead organizer of the event. "It's a chance to celebrate what it means to be an Ike Sailor, including how we give back to the community."

More than 260 Sailors registered for the run, and many more came out to show their support.

"We had an amazing turnout," said Pankey. "Sailors from every department showed up to run or volunteer. It's always a great feeling to see the people you work with come together to enjoy time with one another and give back at the same time."

Five years ago, Master Chief Petty Officer Greg Snaza, command master chief; Master Chief Petty Officer Doug Dickinson; and Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Cross came together with an idea to host a 5K run to raise money for the CFC. In 2016, Sailors were proud to host the first Heritage 5K during a deployment.

"Events like this are something to look forward to," said Seaman Genesis Cardenas. "They break up the monotony of the deployment and are extremely rewarding."

The 5K took months of planning and coordinating, and Pankey expressed how thankful she was to the members of her team who made the event possible. Specially designed t-shirts and coins were created and sold for the event. The proceeds from the registered runners and merchandise sales enabled Ike to donate more than $1,100 to the CFC.

Ike, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, and Ike CSG are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

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