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Welcome Aboard The CGC Bear

Week Six

by Brendan McPherson and Andrew Shinn

Week Six: This week we join Cutter Bear as she visits Agadir, Morocco and Praia, Cape Verde. While in Agadir, Morocco crewmembers of the Cutter Bear played a soccer game with the Moroccan Navy.

All photos are credited: U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer Second Class Andrew Shinn.

The Coast Guard Cutter Bear, homeported in Portsmouth, Va.

Seaman Ryan Benton, right, and Seaman Sergio Savain, left, stand by to render honors and welcome aboard members of the Moroccan military and the international diplomatic community during a reception held aboard the Cutter Bear in Agadir, Morocco June 20.

Seaman Sergio Savain stands ready to render honors to foreign diplomats and members of the Moroccan military during a reception held aboard the Cutter Bear in Agadir, Morocco June 20.

The sun sets behind the Cutter Bear in Agadir, Morocco June 20. The food service staff prepared a reception for members of the Moroccan military and the diplomatic community. This reception was the third the cutter crew has hosted during theater security cooperations in North Africa.

Seaman Maykal Manresa served hor d'eourves to a Moroccan dignitary during a reception held aboard the Cutter Bear June 20 in Agadir, Morocco.

Chief (OS) Brown, command chief aboard the Cutter Bear, shakes hands with a Moroccan Navy official before a soccer game between crewmembers of the cutter and a team from the Moroccan Navy June 21 in Agadir, Morocco.

Crewmembers of the Cutter Bear huddle to create a soccer strategy before a match with a team from the Moroccan Navy June 21 in Agadir, Morocco.

Ensign Scott Mitchell, in focus, and his teammates line up before a game between crewmembers of the Cutter Bear and members of the Moroccan Navy.

Crewmembers of the Cutter Bear played soccer against a team from the Moroccan Navy June 21 in Agadir, Morocco.

Ensign Scott Mitchell kicks a soccer ball during a game between crewmembers of the Cutter Bear and the Moroccan Navy June 21 in Agadir, Morocco.

Ensign Chris Cumberland, right, plays soccer against a member of a team from the Moroccan Navy June 21 in Agadir, Morocco.

Petty Officer 2nd Class (IT) Brendan Dunn, stationed aboard the Cutter Bear, plays soccer against members of a team from the Moroccan Navy during a match held in Agaidr, Morocco June 21. Coast Guard photo by ENS Chris Cumberland

Ensign Scott Mitchell accepts a trophy from a Moroccan Navy official after a soccer game between the crew of the Cutter Bear and the Moroccan Navy June 21 in Agadir, Morocco.

Ensign Scott Mitchell, left, and the captain of a Moroccan Navy soccer team hold up trophies after a game between the Moroccan Navy soccer team and the crew of the Cutter Bear in Agadir, Morocco June 21.

Petty Officer 2nd Class (DC) Chris Williams dons firefighting gear during a battle-scenario drill aboard the Cutter Bear June 24.

Fireman (MK) Jonathan Williams stands ready to fight fire as part of a fire team during a battle-scenario drill June 24 aboard the Cutter Bear.

Seaman Ryan Benson helps Seaman Maykal Manresa don firefighting gear during a battle-scenario drill aboard the Cutter Bear June 24.

Fireman Richard Martin suits up to fight fire during a battle-scenario drill aboard the Cutter Bear June 24.

A self-contained breathing apparatus mask sit ready for use on a workbench in the Auxiliary shop of the Cutter Bear during a battle-scenario drill June 24.

President Pedro Pires of Cape Verde crosses the welcome mat and boards the Cutter Bear June 26 in Praia, Cape Verde.

Commander Robert Wagner shows President Pedro Pires of Cape Verde to a seat during a luncheon in the wardroom of the Cutter Bear in Praia, Cape Verde June 26.

Fireman Telfair Brown stands ready to fight fire during a battle-scenario drill aboard the Cutter Bear June 24.

Petty Officer 2nd Class (BM) Sam Pollard gives semaphore signals during a battle-scenario drill aboard the Cutter Bear June 24.

Petty Officer 2nd Class (BM) Sam Pollard stands ready to give semaphore signals near the Cutter Bear's bell during a battle-scenario drill aboard the cutter June 24.

Lt. James Silcox, operations officer of the Cutter Bear, tries to take the soccer ball from his opponent during a soccer match held between crewmembers of the cutter and members of the Moroccan Navy in Agadir, Morocco June 21.

Ensign Scott Mitchell warms up beforea soccer game between the crew of the Cutter Bear and a team from the Moroccan Navy June 21 in Agadir, Morocco.

Lt. James Silcox, operations officer of the Cutter Bear, stretches before a soccer game between crewmembers of the cutter and a team from the Moroccan Navy June 21 in Agadir, Morocco.

Seaman William Knight warms up before a game between crewmembers of the Cutter Bear and a team from the Moroccan Navy June 21 in Agadir, Morocco.

Petty Officer Second Class (ET) Josh Butler stands a security watch during a reception held aboard the Cutter Bear in Agadir, Morocco June 20.