Sailors stationed aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) competed in two friendly basketball games against service members from USS Chafee (DDG 90) and the Peruvian navy Oct. 5.

Washington's Patriots defeated both teams with final scores of 57-16 vs. Chafee and 66-41 vs. the Peruvian navy.

"This is the first time George Washington's basketball team has been together since the hull swap," said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Maurice Nix, who coaches Washington's Patriots. "It was great to see my players making friends with each other and get better at working together."

The camaraderie between Washington Sailors was shared with the Peruvian service members as well.

"Sports are one of the ways we make friends all over the world," said Lucas Eckstein, Washington's fun boss. "Friendly competition is a great way to interact with the local people from the ports we visit and I always see bonds established between the Sailors and host nations in the process."

Washington has additional sporting events scheduled for its upcoming port visits, and Sailors who are interested should contact Morale, Welfare and Recreation for more information.

"Playing basketball, soccer or any other sport is a great way to get some exercise to stay in shape," said Eckstein. "If team sports are your preferred form of exercise, these events allow you to do what you love while you're away from home."

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 U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.