Culinary specialists assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) are not only keeping their knives sharp, but also their talents, by working at Naval Base San Diego's base galley, Mercer Hall.

Four of America's Sailors are currently preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner at Mercer Hall, while America is undergoing Post Shakedown Availability (PSA).

PSA is a period when the ship's crew and contractors make repairs and improvements to the ship's design. Every new ship conducts a PSA, designed to harness results of a thorough test and evaluation period, and pave the way to operational employment.

"While our galley is shut down, our Sailors need to use their talents elsewhere," said Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Randall Clift, leading chief petty officer of S-2 division. "This is a good time for them to continue their training."

The four Sailors will be working at Mercer Hall for 30 days, then four more of America's culinary specialists will take there place in an ongoing 30-day rotation until the galley aboard America reopens for normal operations.

"I feel like we are contributing to making this great food served here better," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Brittany Schneider. "This is a fun environment where we can really be ourselves and do what we love; which is cooking."

Schneider said that America's cooks will be continuing their passion at Mercer Hall while getting a taste of the what it is like to work at a base galley; something most junior culinary specialists don't get to experience so early in their Navy careers.

"The Sailors from USS America are really supporting us," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Caesar Valencia, the Mercer Hall supply and food service officer. "We serve hundreds of Sailors everyday, but with their assistance and the excellent staff here, we pull off every meal flawlessly."

Valencia expressed that the purpose of this temporary assigned duty is to keep these Sailors productive and well-trained, while at the same time provide quality service and meals.

"I am very comfortable working with them," said Valencia. "They know what to do, and they know what my expectations are. I have no doubt that they will continue to do great at this galley and anywhere else they work."

For more news from USS America (LHA 6), visit www.navy.mil/local/lha6/