Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jesse Monford | SAN DIEGO (May. 18, 2018) Rear Adm. Cedric E. Pringle, Commander, Expeditionary Strike...... read more read more
Subscribe
Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Monford (SW/AW)
SAN DIEGO- (May 18, 2017) – Sailors and Marines participated in Gator Week 2018, hosted by Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 at Admiral Baker Park May 15 through May 18.
Gator Week serves as an opportunity to come together as a collective amphibious force in an effort to build companionship, honor the Gator Navy’s heritage and endorse an encouraging tone of the amphibious force.
“The idea was just to have everybody come out in a relaxed atmosphere, bring your family, enjoy the weather and just to have a good time,” said CMC Kenneth Robertson, command master chief, ESG-3. “We hope that we met the mark on that as we continue to hold Gator Week every year.”
Throughout the week, Sailors and Marines participated in a variety of events including seamanship, physical readiness contests, sporting events and more.
“I’m having a lot of fun out here,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Khalil Johnson, a football participant. “You don’t really know how much competition you have within your own strike group because you kind of just play sports with the people that you know who are from your ship. This is my first Gator Week and it’s almost like the Olympics out here.”
Sailors and Marines from across the strike group looked forward to taking a break from their normal work schedules to show team spirit, while enjoying an environment of friendly competition.
“My preference is to let everyone get out and enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful San Diego weather and compete,” said Rear Adm. Cedric E. Pringle, Commander, ESG-3.
Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) was announced as the winning command at the end of Gator Week competitions. Boxer will display the Gator Week trophy for one year, until next year’s events.
The conclusion of Gator Week signaled a new element, the 2018 Gator Golf tournament, which was also held at the Admiral Baker Field.
This was the first time ESG-3 has hosted a golf tournament amongst the ships.
“Next year, we are looking forward to implementing more golf tournaments throughout the year,” said Pringle. “After seeing today’s turnout and as an avid golfer, I see there are definitely enough golfers within [ESG-3] to have this going maybe twice a year.”
Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 5 took the trophy for the Gator Golf tournament.
ESG-3 comprises three amphibious squadrons, eight naval support elements and 14 amphibious warships comprised of more than 14,000 active-duty and reserve Sailors and Marines. The mission of ESG-3 is to serve as the command element for Marine expeditionary-brigade level expeditionary operations as commander of an amphibious task force.
For more news from Expeditionary Strike Group 3, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/esg3/.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2018 18:26 |
| Story ID: | 277648 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 105 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ESG-3 Wraps Up Annual Gator Week, by PO1 Jesse Monford, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
