Family Day Cruise OK’d

CARR Families and Friends,

This week we received permission to conduct a Tiger Cruise from CTF 20 – we will be limited to approximately 60 family members. Over the next couple of weeks we will finalize the guest list and begin to push out information -required paperwork, travel dates, etc. I want to ensure everyone realizesthat the seas on the east coast are typically very rough during December -especially near Cape Hatteras.

Day 101 – Sunday, September 9th (BSF, Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Panama)
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Today’s focus was our refueling and resupply pierside at Vasco Nunez deBalboa, Panama. In addition to receiving supplies to fix our gear and feedour Sailors, we received mail. One of the benefits of this port is the ability to receive U.S. Mail. We moored at 0930 and were back underwayshortly after dinner.

Our TV Direct to Sailors system is operating well; many took to the MessDecks, Wardroom, and their office spaces to watch Sunday Football.

We did not conduct a Captain’s Cup event today because of the refueling evolution.

Day 102 – Monday, September 10th
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The decommissioning manning conference in Millington, TN completed and many of our Sailors found out where they will be going next. Our Command Senior Chiefis working with a few Sailors to modify their orders and get orders for a small group, including the SH’s, ET’s, and EN’s.

We conducted a Close in Weapons System (CIWS) shoot today – BZ to FC2 Cliff Jensen for taking charge and ensuring the event was conducted safely.

Day 103 – Tuesday, September 11th
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Today we took a moment to remember the events of 9-11. OSC Salvatore Pacileo and HTC Joshua Linton took charge of organizing the memorial and recounted the events of 9-11. LS3 DeWayne Gilkes shared his memories as a 10 year old and DC2 Andy Fernandez recounted his memories as a 14 year old freshman in High School.

Congratulations to EN2 Joseph Lawhorn who reenlisted this morning. He has done an awesome job at maintaining his equipment and is an asset to our Navy.

I am glad he made the decision to further his naval career.

Great job to ET3 Kaz Warren who worked to troubleshoot a heat sensor issue.  The heat sensors are critical to monitor spaces throughout CARR to monitor for fire. He used his knowledge of our interior communications alarm system to find and fix the fault.

Day 104 – Wednesday, September 12th
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CARR interesting (sort of) fact of the week: so far this deployment we have consumed 3,100 hamburgers and cheeseburgers.

BZ to CS3 Willie Martinez who completed his qualification as Crash and Salvage Crewman/rescue man. Now that he is qualified, he has joined the crash and salvage team and is becoming an active participant in the hangar bay during flight quarters.

Today we conducted a small arms shoot to ensure our Sailors remained proficient (and qualified) to support our in port force protection watchstanding requirements. Sailors must conduct a proficiency shoot every 6 months after completing initial qualifications. Starting this week we will cycle our Sailors through to ensure we have sufficient qualified armed watchstanders to get us all the way through decommissioning. Thanks to BM3 Melvin Cooks who recently received his Line Coach qualification and was able to assist us during this exercise along with GM2 Ethan Krug and GM2 Jacob Scyoc who led the setup of our shipboard range and monitored the event.

Today I met with department leadership to begin putting some details on our plan to decommission. My goal is to do as much as we can now so we can maximize the time with our families and friends upon return to Norfolk. Our Sailors have worked hard over the last two years and need to have time to spend off ship.

Day 105 – Thursday, September 13th
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31 Sailors took the E5 Advancement Exam this morning on the Mess Decks – I hope to be able to advance many of them before we return to Norfolk.

Day 106 – Friday, September 14th
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This morning began with the frocking of our two newest Chief Petty Officers, HTC Joshua Linton and OSC Salvatore Pacileo. The frocking ceremony was held on the forecastle, with all of our Chiefs decked out in their Khakis.

Congratulations! Special Thanks to CS3 Jonathan Brown for making a cake for everyone to share and to LS1 Daniel Shelton for taking pictures for our new CPOs to share with their families.

Immediately after the frocking was done, we were off to interdict a fishing vessel suspected of smuggling cocaine. Although we located the vessel quickly it appears they jettisoned their load. Although not a sexy as a bust, by disrupting the flow of narcotics we are still accomplishing our mission.

Day 107 – Saturday, September 15th
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Congratulations to OSC Christopher Van upon his reenlistment. He joined our Navy back in March 1993 with his first tour on USS RADFORD (DD 968). I had the pleasure of serving as the reenlisting officer – thank you.

SN James Cameron wants to let his beautiful wife and baby Harper know that he loves them and can’t wait to see both of them upon return to Norfolk.

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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 next Sunday, stay safe CARR Family and Friends!

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