CARR visits Costa Rica, “delivers” marijuana

CARR Families and Friends,

This week’s newsletter is brief since we spent most of the week either in port or at anchor. Due to OPSEC considerations, I will send an update on Monday evening that discusses our activities from Wednesday until Saturday.

This week we kicked off our Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The CFC provided the opportunity for those in the Federal Government, including us, to donate to their favorite charities. Nobody is required to donate; the goal is for everyone to be contacted and be given the opportunity to donate if they desire. In the past couple of years our Sailors have been extremely generous in supporting some great national and local charities.

Day 108 – Sunday, September 16th
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As has been the tradition on CARR, we held a Sunday steel beach picnic – this week the Petty Officer First Class Mess hosted. It started out to be a nice day but quickly turned dark and rainy in the late afternoon.

Before the storm clouds rolled in, we conducted another in a series of Captain’s Cup events. This week’s competition was HORSE. Due to inclement weather, we will have to finish the competition next week with matches between S1 v LEDET, CE v OT, EA v EX/NN, and AIR v S3. The goal was for one team to take a shot at the basketball hoop and then have the other team try to duplicate the shot from the same location on the flight deck – if the opponent can’t make the basket you made, then you get a letter…first one to spell HORSE wins.

Congratulations to STG2 Matthew Greenwood who completed his qualification as Electrical Plant Control Console Operator! He also recently took over as Work Center Supervisor for our Damage Control Petty Officers and is doing great!

Day 109 – Monday, September 17th (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)
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We anchored in Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica in order to provide evidence to the Costa Rica drug enforcement agency. Almost two months ago we conducted a marijuana bust in the Caribbean and the Costa Rica authorities apprehended the smugglers and their boat; however, we needed to provide the Marijuana as evidence to support prosecution. During our visit we also hosted members of Costa Rica’s National Assembly and local print and television media. Because the seas were a bit too choppy to get all the media on board, I went ashore to conduct interviews pierside. The visit was a positive experience for everyone involved and we were grateful that the National Assembly fought to get legislation passed to allow us to pull in. When we initially seized the marijuana, some members of the Costa Rica National Assembly filibustered to block our attempt to transfer the evidence. It was a long day because very specific legal protocols had to be followed. As a result, we did not get underway until after dark.

Navy News also ran a story about the transfer:
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=69660

Great job to EN2 Hezekiah Crandall and EN3 Joseph Kruse who qualified as Auxiliary Systems Monitors. This qualification requires them to have extensive knowledge of the all the auxiliary systems (water, diesel engines, air condition) onboard CARR. Well done!

Day 110 – Tuesday, September 18th
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After countless weeks of complex troubleshooting and repairs, FC2 Gary Freas and FC2 Justin Campbell successfully restored our MK92 Gun Fire Control System to full operation. Once the system passed software tests, we were ready for a live fire. We shot six rounds from our 76mm main battery and verified the system really worked! Our 76mm can shoot up to 80 seventeen-pound rounds per minute at distance up to nine miles,

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Jessica Meissner   OMBUDSMAN
April Linton       Co-OMBUDSMAN
Jackie Lease       FRG President

Please join CARR along with our OMBUDSMAN and Family Readiness Group:

CARR
https://www.facebook.com/FFG52
OMBUDSMAN
http://www.facebook.com/pages/USS-CARR-
ombudsman/219688138070847?sk=wall
CARR Family Readiness Group
www.facebook.com/USSCARRFRG
Sailors Name
Department/Division
USS CARR (FFG 52)
FPO AE 09566-1506

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Until my follow-up email on Monday evening, stay safe CARR Family and Friends!

CDR Patrick Kulakowski
Commanding Officer
USS CARR (FFG 52)
“Courage, Will, Determination!”