Sailors assigned to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike), Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW3), Destroyer Squadron Two Six (DESRON 26) and Carrier Strike Group Ten (CSG 10) enjoyed liberty during a four-day port visit to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, Sep. 20-24

While in Jebel Ali, Ike crew members had the opportunity to sight see in nearby Dubai and experience local customs through tours organized by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) as well as through their own exploration of the Middle Eastern city with shipmates.

"It is a beautiful city," said Ike Operations Specialist 2nd Class Karlton Rembert. "I really enjoyed the shopping. You could find just about anything you wanted; it was really cool. Dubai wasn't anything like I expected. I just thought it would be nice to step off the ship, but it turned out to be the best port yet."

MWR offered a wide array of activities from the thrills of sand surfing and a sunset safari to a casual game of golf.

"It was a great country and there was so much to do there," Ike Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Oliver Donnelly said. "I went on the sunset safari. All the sliding around was great. We went four-wheel driving, took a ride on a camel and enjoyed some great food and entertainment. It doesn't get any better than that."

In addition to tours, several Ike Sailors chose to spend some of their time delving in to the history of the foreign culture.

"This city is so rich in history and I love the way the architecture really tells that story," said Master-At-Arms 3rd Class Erica Lucero, of Strike Fighter Squadron 105. "I was able to explore one of the local mosques and it was gorgeous."

Whether it was their first visit to Jebel Ali or not, Ike and DESRON 26 Sailors enjoyed their time in the United Arab Emirates.

"It's always nice to pull in to port and relax and I couldn't think of a better place to do it than Dubai," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Jimmy Johnson. "It had everything you could think of and a few things you can't find anywhere else in the world. This was definitely my favorite port so far."

Upon departing Jebel Ali, the Ike-Battle Axe team returned to their missions of supporting Operation Inherent Resolve and maritime security operations.

Ike and its Carrier Strike Group 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.


For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/.