Fleet Week Sailors Get Fired Up at DC Olympics

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew M. Rivard, USS Wasp Public Affairs

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), USS Dewert (FFG 45), USS Dallas (SSN 700), and the USCGC Bernard C. Webber (WPC 1101) participated in a Damage Control Olympics April 26.

The event was hosted by the Resolve Maritime Academy while Wasp is in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as part of Fleet Week Port Everglades whic this year commemorates the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Approximately 40 damage control personnel from the Navy and the Coast Guard spent eight hours conducting various events, such as pipe-patching and P-100 firefighting, to determine which of the six Fleet Week ships was best at fighting ship-board fires.

"All in all, I'd say this event was a huge success", said Cmdr. Richard Sessoms, Wasp's damage control assistant. "Being able to get all the DC teams out to have some fun while getting training on different shipboard firefighting perspectives is a chance we just can't pass up."

While the Sailors participated in their events, a number of organizations came out to help show their support for the U.S. Armed Forces. Breakfast and lunch, energy drinks, smoothies, and live entertainment were provided for all military members in attendance.

"We've been doing this for the past 12 years and it just keeps getting better," said Cliff Charlock, manager of the Resolve Maritime Academy. "Our DC Olympics is a lot of fun and it helps to build camaraderie throughout the Navy."

Over the course of the entire event Sailors from every ship joined together to not only have fun but to also learn new things and take away fond memories from this experience.

"I love damage control so this event turned out to be a blast", said Hull Technician Fireman Eric Greenwald. "Each ship got to show their potential, and I will remember this time for the rest of my career."

Following the event, all of the workers at the Resolve Maritime Academy came out to present plaques to not only the top three ships, but also to give out honorable

mention plaques to the ships that did not place in the event.

The top three ships were:

1st Place - USS San Jacinto

2nd Place - USS DeWert

3rd Place - USS Gettysburg

"Though we could have done better during this event," said Sessoms, "I believe everyone not only had fun, but also took away a great deal of knowledge, and that's all that really matters."

The Sailors will be in Fort Lauderdale from April 25-29 celebrating Fleet Week and during that time will participate in a wide range of events including a variety of receptions, community relations projects and inter-ship competitions.