USS John C. Stennis Hosts Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Dec. 6-7, bringing basketball and entertainment to Stennis Sailors deployed in the Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf).

The Globetrotters have entertained more than 123 million people in more than 100 countries.

On Dec. 7 the Globetrotters showed off their skills against the Globe Selects during a basketball game on the flight deck.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to get a chance to entertain [Sailors] and thank them for everything that they do for our country,” said Willie “Slick” Shaw, from Bronx, N.Y. “I’m happy to boost their morale, and I’m happy to be here as well.”

Afterwards, members of the Globetrotters signed autographs and posed for photographs with Sailors on the flight deck.

“I have always wanted to see them play, and I am grateful for the experience,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Johnathan Smalls, from Houston, Texas. “My friends and I loved it.”

The John C. Stennis Strike Group, consisting of Stennis, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) are forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to strengthen regional partnerships, sustain maritime security, and support combatant commander requirements for assets in the area.

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Naval Today Staff, December 9, 2012; Image: US Navy