Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) visited Ban Tee Tae public school for a community service project

(COMSERV) in Phang Nga, Thailand, May 30.Nineteen Sailors visited a school to help paint a

classroom and spend time with the children.The school has approximately 80 students, and

according to Brad Kenny, Phuket region Navy League coordinator, this is the first Navy COMSERV to be organized at the school. “The Sailors come here and spend their time off

the ship to meet and get to know the local people. They become much more involved doing these kinds of projects,” said Kenny.After painting the classroom, the Sailors spent the

rest of the day learning the local culture and playing with the children.“The time we had was great. I felt like we had a

positive impact in their lives,” said Cmdr. George Floyd, a volunteer from Nimitz.For some Sailors, this was their first COMSERV.

Most of them agreed that this project was the best way to truly experience the Thai culture.“It was a lot of fun getting to talk to local people,”

said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael Waltich, a volunteer from Nimitz. “I’m definitely doing another COMSERV in the future.”The Nimitz Strike Group is deployed to the U.S.

7th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

Story and Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno

A Force for Good

June 2, 2013 Vol. 2 Issue 32

Commanding OfficerCAPT Jeff S. RuthExecutive Officer

CDR John CummingsCommand Master Chief

CMDCM Teri McIntyrePublic Affairs OfficerLCDR Karin Burzynski

EditorMC2 (SW) Jason Behnke

Lead DesignerMC3 George J. Penney III

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All. submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.

The Chief of Phuket Provincial Office, members of the Thai military and Thai nationals visited the aircraft carrier USS

Nimitz (CVN 68), May 29.Dr. Prajiad Aksornthamakul, Chief of Phuket

Provincial Office, toured Nimitz during a routine port call visit in Phuket, Thailand.During their time on Nimitz, the visitors met

with Rear Adm. Michael S. White, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, to learn more about the capabilities and assets of Nimitz and CSG 11.White escorted Aksornthamakul and guests

through the ship to view the hangar bays, flight deck, bridge and flag mess while describing the ship’s history and thanking their hosts. “We know it’s a lot of work for Phuket to host us

and we are grateful the Chief of Phuket Provincial Office visited our aircraft carrier,” said White.Aksornthamakul expressed his and the local Thai

community’s appreciation for Nimitz choosing to visit Phuket as one of their port calls during the current deployment.“I feel that Thailand and the United States Navy

have a good relationship,” said Aksornthamakul. “The Phuket Provincial Office always welcomes Sailors to visit us. We would like to ensure that everyone who visits Phuket enjoys it. I would like to express our appreciation during Nimitz’ port call to the Sailors that are taking a vacation in Phuket. The tourism is very good for our economy and we appreciate it. We welcome the U.S. military to Phuket not only as Sailors, but also as tourists. We are very happy you came to Phuket.”Nimitz Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 7th

Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

Story and Photo by MC3 Linda S. SwearingenVIP TOUR

Rear Adm. Michael S. White, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, gives a tour of the flight deck to Thai military members and nationals.

Page 2

Members of the Royal Thai Navy’s Diver and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Division - Ordnance Department received a demonstration from members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 while visiting the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) May 27.The tour showcased a joint effort to exchange

knowledge of each other’s operations.“We combine with U.S. EOD every year for the

Gara Exercise and Cobra Gold Exercise,” said Lt. Cmdr. Somkuan Sungtsont, Commander of Diver and EOD Division. “This meeting was to prepare for those exercises.”While on board, the Thai guests saw fast roping,

equipment and the EOD small unmanned ground vehicle (SUGV).“We had a great time,” said Sungtsont. “I

liked their weapons. We have about the same equipment, but theirs is newest of the new.”Members of EODMU 11 visited their Thai

counterparts earlier that week to learn from them as well.“A couple days ago we taught them about

homemade bombs since that’s what they’re encountering most right now,” said Lt. j.g. Thomas Rollow, EODMU 11 Platoon 11-0-1 officer in charge. “They’re disarming bombs every day. They’re real experts in the sense of the word.”Nimitz Strike Group is deployed to the U.S.

7th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

Story by MC3 (SW) Devin WrayPhotos by MCSA Andrew Price

INTERNATIONAL

Members of EOD Platoon 11-0-1 demonstrate uses of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) equipment to members of the Royal Thai Navy’s Diver and EOD division ordnance department.

Page 3

Story and Photos by MC3 Jacob Milner

A TIMEto PLAY

Sailors assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11 came together Wednesday, May 29, at the British International School (BIS) to play

an exhibition soccer match with the school’s instructors.The game-ending goal, scored by Craig Greene,

the BIS team’s captain, closed the door on the American Sailors making the final score four to zero.“We didn’t get the win,” said Gunner’s Mate 1st

Class Oscar Gonzalez, “though it was a really good opportunity for these guys to get off this ship and

play somebody.”The opposing team has had more opportunity

to compete in recent weeks, giving them an 11-0 record.“We play against lots of different teams,” said

Greene. “Thai teams, experts and alike, and this was a good team. We’ve won 11 in a row now, so they were coming up against a team in form. They did well to hold us to four.”For the Sailors, the game was about much more

than an afternoon of soccer.“It builds good relations with them,” said

Gonzalez, “regardless of what happens, we have to

Page 4

keep relations up with our host nations.”The organization of the matchup between the two

teams was not an easy task to complete.“These things are not easy to put together,” said

Gonzalez. “We’ve also had one game in Korea, and one in Hawaii and it’s a lot of email and work that boosts morale around each of the ships.”More than good relations and boosting morale,

the opportunity to have such an exhibition can also change minds.“When we do these, it shows other nations that

their normal perception of U.S. Sailors isn’t accurate,” said Gonzalez. “We’re real people who

like to have fun, and play.”Though the game was a loss, the winning BIS

team commended the Sailors on their skill.“It was a great game,” said Greene. “They were

very tough. They gave us a hard first half, keeping us to one goal, and I think we did well to win.”Even though the Sailors lost the match, they may

have proved to the BIS team at least, that U.S. Sailors are more than they seem.Carrier Strike Group 11 is deployed to the U.S.

7th Fleet area of responsibility conducting security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

Page 5

Photos ByMCsN Nathan McDonald

(top Left)

MCsN Derek harkins(Right)

MCsA Victoria ochoa(Bottom Left)

THEAROUNDDECK PLATES

BM1 Angel Anton instructs a Sailor on the appropriate way to lower a heavy object to a barge.

BMSN Justin Carter participates in a sea and anchor detail.

AM3 Algeron Gross and AMAN Robert Williams manufacture air conditioning line for an F/A-18 Super Hornet.

Page 6