The retail operations division (S-3) of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) was awarded the “Best Ship’s Store” for fiscal year 2018 during a ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay Sept. 16.

The Retail and Service Excellence Award covers the range of services from proper management of the barbershop, to the laundromat and the ship's store. It is presented to ships that exceed retail and service expectations.

The award was presented by retired Rear Adm. Robert Bianchi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Navy Exchange Service Command.

“I have ships selling more than some of my Navy Exchange stores,” said Bianchi. “$1.7 million is an impressive feat. This award is a pinnacle for S-3 divisions on ships.”

Achieving this award would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of Kearsarge’s S-3 team.

“I am extremely proud of my team,” said Chief Ship’s Serviceman Ashley Hammary, the leading chief petty officer of S-3. “We only had 14 Sailors to run six operations, which is phenomenal.”

The S-3 team worked extremely hard this past year, said Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Corey Gambirazio. “No one really sees the extent of our labor because most of our work is behind the scenes with working parties and supply onloads.”

During fiscal year 2018, S-3 division processed more than 11 million pounds of laundry, earned $1.7 million in sales from the ship’s store, vending and Spot 3 Café, and transferred $230,000 to Kearsarge’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation program.

This is the second consecutive year that Kearsarge’s S-3 Division has earned the Retail and Service Excellence Award.

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