USS STOUT (DDG 55): Deployment 2011

Hello STOUT family, friends and fans. After a brief lapse, we are starting up the blog again. This will be the forum I use to communicate with everyone and keep you up date on what we have been doing. So far deployment has been going great. We made it across the Atlantic, following one storm and just ahead of another. After change of command and a port visit in Souda Bay on the island of Crete, we headed to Haifa, IS for a few days and some exercises with the Israeli Navy and Air Force. Since then, we have been on station in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. In between the operations, exercises and drills, we found some time to have some fun. We held STOUT Olympics, where each department formed teams and competed in push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and a 10 mile treadmill relay. All teams did exceptionally well and the competition was fierce, but in the end, Operations department came out on top. The trophy ceremony was held during a flight deck BBQ. We plan to do this a couple more times before we return to see if we can crown a new champion. We also started "crazy hat Wednesdays" where Sailors can wear whatever hat they like. Enjoy the pictures, thanks for your support. -- CDR Nathan Borchers, Commanding Officer