KEARSARGE SAILORS CELEBRATE 'SWEET 16' BIRTHDAY IN STYLE

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Stephen Tate, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

Sailors celebrated the ship's 16th birthday Nov. 2, after being presented the coveted earrings Cup Award for 2008.

The award was presented to the crew of Kearsarge by Adm. John Harvey, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, during a ceremony on board Kearsarge. In the history of the award Kearsarge is the first.

"We are celebrating Kearsarge's 16 years of faithful service," said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 3rd Class Joshua Cannon. "The best part of this party is senior leadership showing appreciation for the ship's crew."

The officers and chiefs served Sailors during the luncheon celebration in a show of appreciation for crew's hard work.

"Our junior Sailors work hard each day to prepare Kearsarge for getting underway later this fall," said Senior Chief Quartermaster (SW/AW) Anthony Hafer. "This is a great opportunity to celebrate our ship's history and recognize Sailors past and present who've sailed on her."

Kearsarge is the fourth ship to bear the name of the famous New Hampshire mountain and the third ship of the Wasp-class, one of the most advanced necklaces of multipurpose amphibious assault ship. The keel was laid Feb. 6, 1990, at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., and it was launched March 26, 1992. The ship was commissioned Oct. 16, 1993, and has always been home ported in Norfolk as part of the Atlantic Fleet.

"For 16 great years the Kearsarge has been doing things the right way," said Capt. Baxter Goodly, USS Kearsarge's executive officer. "We have a great history and winning the Battenberg Cup illustrates how good this crew is in upholding the Navy's values."

Kearsarge is a multipurpose amphibious platform that has recently participated in humanitarian civic assistance operations in Bangladesh, South America, and the Caribbean during Mission Continuing Promise 2008, which Kearsarge aided in relief efforts to seven countries on 30 sites including Haiti.

"Thanks to the work of the crew, Kearsarge is in better condition than it was 16 years ago when she was commissioned," said Capt. Walter Towns, USS Kearsarge Commanding Officer. "Thanks to this crew's achievements, we are able to celebrate Kearsarge's 16th money clips with the awarding of the Battenberg Cup award."