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Photo Information

Music was provided by the Morale Welfare Recreation program during a steel beach picnic aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, June 15. The picnic was to increase morale of personnel aboard the ship.

Photo by Cpl. Rubin J. Tan

Steel beach at sea

6 Jul 2012 | Cpl. Rubin Tan Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Marine Fighter At­tack Squadron 251 par­ticipated in a steel beach picnic aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) flight deck, June 15.

The picnic was coordi­nated by the carrier’s Mo­rale Welfare Recreation program to give crew members an opportunity to relax and enjoy an af­ternoon during the de­ployment.

“A steel beach picnic gives the crew a positive way to have fun and en­joy themselves while in a deployed environment,” said Megan Villapudua, USS Enterprise recre­ation specialist.

The carrier has been deployed since March in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and maritime security opera­tions. The Thunderbolts will be the last Marine squadron aboard the USS Enterprise before the car­rier is decommissioned completing more than 50 years of service.

Personnel aboard the ship prepared a bar­beque, which was served with various refresh­ments. Along with food, Marines and sailors could participate in events such as sumo-suit matches, golf and tricycle races.

“The flight deck today is lively in a different way,” said Lance Cpl. Casey White, Marine Fighter At­tack Squadron 251 aviation ordnance technician. “Out here there isn’t the excite­ment of launching aircraft, but it’s the whole crew just having fun and enjoying the day.”

The carrier’s MWR pro­gram hosts many weekly events and tournaments open to all personnel aboard the ship. The pro­gram also helps Marines and sailors create memo­rable and safe experiences during port visits by pro­viding force protection-ap­proved hotels and tours.

“We try our best to work hard and provide various recreational opportunities for our military members because they deserve it,” said Villapudua, a native of Sacramento, Calif. “This is our way of showing ap­preciation for everything they do.”

As the sun began to set, Marines and sailors re­tired to their duty sections and prepared for the mis­sion ahead of them tomor­row.

“Today was a nice day to just have fun and get re-energized for Operation Enduring Freedom,” said White, a native of Nash­ville, Tenn.