Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departed the port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 30, after a four-day port visit.

After a month of conducting maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf, the crew took time to relax, experience the city of Dubai and take advantage of the services made available by the USO and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), before returning to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).

"My time off the ship was much needed to decompress and enjoy a new place," said Personnel Specialist Seaman Angelina Valdezreff, from Boise, Idaho. "I had so much fun, and it was exactly what I needed to get my brain ready to get back underway and finish this deployment."

MWR and the USO hosted multiple tours and events for the crew to attend including shopping, snorkeling, camel rides, theme parks and sandboarding in the sand dunes of Dubai. Additionally, the crew had access to the "Oasis," a destination set up for Sailors on the pier, which provided easy access to food, merchandise and a recreation center that Sailors could utilize for telephone services and Wi-Fi to contact friends and family back home.

"The Oasis was a really good time," said Legalman 2nd Class Lorenza Taylor, from San Diego. "Between the food, wireless internet and all the stores, there was more than enough to enjoy yourself."

Now that the crew got some well-deserved time off, they are ready to get underway and finish up conducting maritime and strike operations in the Arabian Gulf.

"I am ready to pull in those lines and get the ship back out to sea," said Seaman Aldo Rojas, from Irvine, California. "It's time to finish out this deployment strong."

After a few days of liberty, Nimitz is back underway in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of OIR. While in this region, the ship and strike group are conducting maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, preserve freedom of navigation, and maintain the free flow of commerce.

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