The Seattle “Sea Gals,” official cheerleaders for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, performed for Sailors and Marines deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Feb. 13 as the ship conducted operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility .
The event, sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE), also included an appearance by Seahawk defensive end Roy Lewis and a performance by comedian Bryan Ricci.
After the show, the Sea Gals, Lewis and Ricci interacted with the crew and signed autographs. The troupe ate lunch with members of the crew and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) who were from the Seattle area and are fans of the team.
One of the hundreds of Sailors and Marines in attendance of the events was Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class Hillary Cohen , who said she has been a Seahawks fan since she was seven years old.
Cohen said the visit was a tremendous boost to the crew’s morale because it gave Sailors and Marines a chance to see someone from outside the realm of the one they live in day-after-day, as well as know they are remembered for their hard work and commitment.
“The visit gives the troops a chance to unite over something other than operational and military commitments,” said Cohen. “ I think it sends a message to the troops that although we are far from loved ones and the things that make us comfortable, we are not forgotten nor is the work we are doing out here.”
Cohen said the visit almost made her feel that she was back home in Washington.
“It almost felt as though I was back at Quest Field waiting for a game to start,” said Cohen. “Being the insane Seahawk fan that I am, it was nice to see a few familiar Sea Gal faces.”
Meeting Lewis and talking to him about her state was another highlight for Cohen.
“ I had a few pieces of Seahawk gear that I wanted to get autographed and he was more than willing to take the time to chit-chat with me about Washington and the surrounding area while signing,” said Cohen.
During their conversation, Lewis asked Cohen if she thought she was the biggest fan on board Makin Island. Her reply was to tell him that she has a permanent reminder of her favorite team, a tattoo of the team logo on her calf.
Lt. Donald Coomes , a native of Richmond, Wash., assigned to the staff of Commander, Amphibious Squadron Five and embarked aboard Makin Island, said he also enjoyed the visit
Coomes said the Sea Gals performed brilliantly and Bryan Ricci was funny, but it was an opportunity to compete in a race against Lewis as part of a skit during the Sea Gals performance that he will personally remember.
As the official Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel overseas, AFE hosts more than 1,200 shows around the world each year and reach more than 500,000 personnel at 270 military installations.
“This friendly competition was something that I will be able to share with friends and family back home,” said Coomes. “As a Seattle fan, this was a unique experience to connect a little bit on a personal level with the athletes and Sea Gals I have watched over the years.”
Makin Island is the first U.S. Navy ship to deploy using a hybrid-electric propulsion system. By using this unique propulsion system, the Navy expects over the course of the ship’s lifecycle, to see fuel savings of more than $250 million, proving the Navy’s commitment to energy awareness and conservation.
This initiative is one of many throughout the Navy and Marine Corps that will enable the Department of the Navy to achieve the secretary of the Navy’s energy goals to improve our energy security and efficiency afloat and ashore, increase our energy independence and help lead the nation toward a clean energy economy.
Makin Island is the flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , February 21, 2012; Image: navy