Sailors and Marines from amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) participated in a community-relations (COMREL) project at a local church, Feb. 10-11.

Forty one personnel volunteered to paint the Evangelical Church Center of Abu Dhabi, while the ship visited Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The project included two days of painting the second floor main hallway and several of the worship rooms.

"I really enjoyed this COMREL," said Seaman Kiersten L. Hostetter. "I'm here for the experience, and to get a better understanding of the culture in the UAE. I love that people from all around the United States can come together to help people a world away."

Jessica Martin, the director of children's ministry at the Evangelical Community Church of Abu Dhabi, one of the 52 churches to occupy the center, helped organize the COMREL before the ship pulled into port.

"I'm just incredibly grateful for what the Sailors and Marines did here today," said Martin. "Adding a few coats of paint to this building may not seem like much, but it keeps the center in good repair and will help the doors stay open for many years to come."

In addition to ensuring supplies were available when the Sailors and Marines arrived and organizing the center's regular maintenance personnel to help with the work, she organized lunch for the team, allowing an opportunity for them to socialize during the event.

Lt. Jason Ulven, Arlington's command chaplain, expressed gratitude to the many Sailors and Marines who participated in the project throughout the two days.

"I'm thoroughly impressed that more than 40 people took one of their three days in a foreign port, to assist others during the COMREL," said Ulven. "Every week, people walk into that building, and because of this coordinated effort, we helped make the walls look clean and inviting, allowing visitors to focus on why they are there."

Arlington is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

For more news from USS Arlington (LPD 24), visit http://www.navy.mil/.