USS Jason Dunham Departs Greece

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deven King, USS Jason Dunham Public Affairs

SOUDA BAY, Greece (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) departed Souda Bay, Greece, after a scheduled four-day port visit, Aug. 22.

This was the ship's second visit to Souda Bay on its maiden deployment and Sailors took the opportunity to relax and explore the area.

"The last time I was here I did some of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation tours so this time I just went to the beach and walked around town and tried to experience the culture on my own," said Operations Specialist Seaman Chelsea Jefferies. "The people are very friendly and the country is beautiful."

Other Sailors spent time at a nearby recreation center, which featured a baseball field where Jason Dunham's officers and chief petty officers faced off in a game of softball.

"The commanding officer and I were joking with each other about a game [between] the chiefs and the officers, and the executive officer caught wind of it," said Master Chief Ray R. Chamberlain, Jason Dunham's command master chief. "Pretty soon the whole wardroom got involved. The chiefs mess just remained silent until game day."

The chief petty officers' mess won the game in the 10th inning with a final score of 10-9.

"It was an opportunity to let our hair down, have some fun and show the crew it's okay to have events where senior and junior Sailors can compete," Chamberlain said. "It helps build a sense of community and emphasizes that it's one ship, one fight - and it was great beating the officers."

The port visit also consisted of Sailors conducting boarding procedure training, force protection exercises and an ammunition onload.

"It was hot out and it was delicate work, but we got everything aboard safely," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Nick Sauble. "We're loaded up and ready to go."

Jason Dunham is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.