More Shellbacks and 837 pounds of Mail

CARR Families and Friends,

We were all happy to hear that Virginia/Maryland faired well in the wake of Sandy.  Our thoughts go out to those who have families up in New York and New Jersey.

We have reached the point in deployment where mail will most likely not reach us until we return to Norfolk.  We all appreciate the letters and packages you sent throughout deployment.

Day 150 – Sunday, October 28th
==========================================
We received permission to cross the equator and are heading south – we plan to “cross the line” sometime tonight before we head back up to our patrol box just north of the equator.  As is tradition, once we cross the equator we will hold a ceremony to ensure those who have not done this before transition from Wogs to Shellbacks; however, due to tasking we will hold the ceremony at a later date.

Our interdiction from last week made the news – here’s the link:
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70389

Day 151 – Monday, October 29th
==========================================
At 0230 we made it to the southern hemisphere – we woke up the XO so he could see if the water really spins the opposite way south of the equator.  Once across, we darted back north to slip into our operating box.

Day 152 – Tuesday, October 30th
==========================================
Congratulations to our latest batch of Enlisted Surface Warfare
Specialists: OS3 Jonas Flesher, GSE2 Dale Robinson, FC2 Stephen Stout,
GSM3 Michael Vaughn, and GMSN Steven Joyce.

Day 153 – Wednesday, October 31st (Happy Halloween)
==========================================
Congratulations to OSC Salvatore Pacileo upon his reenlistment today.
He entered active service back in July 1993 and his first ship was a might LST – only a few of us on board remember those.

Today we held an Ice Cream Social on the Mess Decks and scary movie night on the Flight Deck to relax a bit and observe Halloween.  A few Sailors managed to come up with costumes and attempt to trick or treat – needless to say, they didn’t have much luck.  The band KISS even made an appearance (FC2 Campbell, EN3 Dahl, FC2 Freas, and STG2 Greenwood).  CF Division and Air Det did some “reverse” trick or treating and passed out candy.

Day 154 – Thursday, November 1st
==========================================
We were supposed to enter port today but the berths were full with merchant traffic; as a result we had to remain underway.  In the morning we did venture close enough to conduct a transfer via small boat before we headed back out to sea.

Day 155 – Friday, November 2nd (Arrive VNB, Panama)
==========================================
Although the pier we were supposed to go to was occupied, we managed to find a space at a commercial terminal to pull into.  Our Engineers did a great job setting up to refuel; however, the pier did not have a pipeline which meant fuel would come by truck.  Refueling was slow and went into the night until we had to suspend refueling as a result of lightning.

The good news is that there were 61 sacks of mail weighing in at 837 pounds waiting for us on the pier.  LSC Jeff Fries, ENC David Boulter, LSSN Bilal Barnes, and LSSN Keith Green sorted the mail in the hot Panamanian sun to ensure it would be ready for distribution.  Great job to LSSN Barnes and LSSN Green who managed mail call!

Once we completed onloading the stores and mail, the crew was off to enjoy Panama City for the last time this deployment.

Although we were promised this berth throughout our stay, we received a phone call telling us that we had to move to another pier on Sunday.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa is a very busy port and movements are driven by commercial traffic.  This shift will be an all hands evolution; however, we should be able to get everyone back on liberty by lunch.

Day 156 – Saturday, November 3rd (VNB, Panama)
==========================================
Congratulations to another round of Sailors to qualify ESWS:  BM3 Edem Atohoun, QM3 David Blancoventura, BMSN Michael Dimick, and FC2 Jacob Gonzales.

==========================================
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
==========================================
Until next Sunday, stay safe CARR Family and Friends!

CDR Patrick Kulakowski

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