Comedians Bring Laughter to Bataan's Crew

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Julio Rivera, USS Bataan Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Comics on Duty world tour embarked aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) to perform for the 2,500 Sailors and Marines, as the ship operated in the Mediterranean Sea, June 8-9.

Navy Entertainment sponsored the comedy tour, featuring celebrity comedians Paul Ogata and J.R. Brow for a pair of two-hour shows featuring original stand-up routines on the ship's mess decks.

"I'm here to pay it back," said Brow. "My father was a military man. Both of my brothers were in the service; my grandfather. I'm the only male who didn't enlist, and it's kind of nice to be able to come back and help out the people that serve our country."

The comedians provided a break from day-to-day operations and were happy to see and hear how much of an impact the laughter they provided had on the crew.

"People got to put deployment in the back of their minds and just get to laugh a little bit," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Gerard Van Dyke.

"It was fantastic; I laughed so hard I almost cried. It was very good," said Cpl. Alleia Arthur.

The comics said seeing the joy on people's faces, hearing their laughter and learning more about the audience is why they do this for a living.

"I like to find where you guys are from, what you do, and how you got to be here," said Ogata. "I want to learn about everything going on here on the USS Bataan."

Comics On Duty is celebrating its 19th year of entertaining service members. Tour Executive Producer Rich Davis said Comics on Duty is responsible for more than 3,500 shows for deployed service members around the world. The current tour was developed specifically for deployed Sailors and Marines aboard Bataan, the dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily.

"From my perspective, the best part is how we're able to affect the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines," said Davis. "By putting the tour together with an all-headliner show, each show is different, and each comic is different. There is no warm-up, so from start to finish, you have a real solid show."

Bataan is the command ship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.