CARR Families and Friends,
Today we have reached the 20% mark for deployment and now that we have been gone for over a month, married personnel will commence receiving their Family Separation Allowance (FSA). FSA is $250 per month and is paid to compensate families for added expenses incurred because of a forced family separation.
A belated congratulation to SN James Cameron and his wife Jill Ann upon the birth of their baby Harper who was born on 19 June (6lbs 7oz). Mother and baby are both doing well.
I know many of you like to see pictures, so I am attempting to push photos to our Facebook page. We all enjoy the comments of support many of you have posted.
Day 31 – Sunday, July 1st
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After enjoying our last morning in Santa Marta, we weighed anchor in the early afternoon and headed back to sea in order to resume our countering transnational organized crime mission. In addition, our helicopter detachment was busy working to get our helicopter maintenance complete. Based on the number of operating hours, the helicopter has various phases of maintenance – the current phase of maintenance is the most complex and challenging (typically not done at sea). After removing all the blades, conducting a series of inspections, and replacing worn components the helicopter is back in one piece. The next step is the exacting task of getting all the moving parts back into balance.
This Sunday we did not hold a Captain’s Cup event due to our late underway, but we will make up for that during our 4th of July Luau.
Day 32 – Monday, July 2nd
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Once again we are faced with deteriorating seas in the Caribbean. During our last deployment the seas were flat almost the entire time. Up in the northern portion of our operating area the seas are reaching over 12 feet – we will be avoiding those seas. The narcotics traffickers also know what the weather is doing in the Caribbean; as a result the smuggling traffic is extremely low.
Congratulations to FC1 Cody Koch and STGC William Colmenares for qualifying as Combat Information Center Watch Officer (CICWO). This CICWO assists the Tactical Action Officer to ensure information is properly processed and disseminated.
As a result of feedback we received at our last menu review board, we had our first brinner (breakfast at the time you eat dinner) of deployment. For some reason many Sailors are delighted by having the opportunity to eat breakfast for dinner – a small price to pay for a little happiness. This evening we dined on scrambled eggs, waffles, bacon and other breakfast foods.
Day 33 – Tuesday, July 3rd
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The weather continues to be marginal, keeping the narcotics traffickers in port. Also our Helo Det continues to conduct Functional Check Flights (FCF) as we attempt to get the helicopter back into the fight. They are making progress, but they aren’t quite ready to fly yet.
Congratulations to ENS Smith who earned his Officer of the Deck qualification today! This is the first major milestone in a Surface Warfare Officer’s career path. The Officer of the Deck letter represents the trust that I place in a junior officers to run the bridge team without me up there and is the first step in earning their Surface Warfare pin.
A short article about our visit to Santa Marta was released today – the article is included at the bottom of this email. Great job to our collateral duty Public Affairs Officer, ENS Stewart for pushing to get articles published.
Day 34 – Wednesday, July 4th (Independence Day)
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Today the Petty Officer First Class Association Hosted our 4th of July Luau! Our Petty Officers First Class started their preparations the previous evening and awoke early to light the grill fires. The centerpiece for the Luau was grilled baby pigs and beef brisket. Throughout the morning, NC1 Vladimir Arias-Martinez, ME1 Jeremiah Babas, CTT1 Billy Bernal, IT1 LaMarcus Brown, CS1 Brian Cook, IC1 Derek Hotop, LS1 Larry Stephens, and SH1 Jason Zarcone manned the grill and continued prep work to ensure everything was ready for lunch.
In addition to the centerpieces, the menu also included hamburgers, hot dogs, deviled eggs, coleslaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, bake potatoes, pasta salad, and a special 4th of July cake.
Special thanks to IT1 Brown for preparing his special BBQ Sauce, CS3 Jonathan Brown baking a decorating two 4th of July cakes, and ME1 Babas for preparing his potato salad.
Today’s Captain’s Cup event was a traditional summer event – a hot dog eating contest on the Forecastle. The rules were simple, one Sailor from each division was selected to participate; the first three Sailors to consume four jumbo hot dogs (including buns) would take the prize. It was extremely close (and a bit nauseating), but ET3 Gregory Dyson (CE Division) took first place, second place SR Richmond Russ (OD Division), and third place was CS3 Jonathan Brown (S2 Division).
After the fourth round, the Captain’s Cup standings are as follows:
1st Place: OT Division (11 pts)
Tie for 2nd: CG Division (8 pts), EM Division (8 pts), CE Division (8 pts)
After the hot dog eating contest many proceeded down to the Mess Decks for a short commemoration of the 4th of July. LS1 Larry Stephens, NC1 Vladimir Arias-Martinez, and IT1 LaMarcus Brown read the Declaration of Independence to remind CARR’s Sailors what our forefathers had put into motion 236 years ago. After the reading, the oldest (CO) and youngest (GSMFN Tyler Manning) on board were invited to cut the cake. We then quickly consumed two cakes decorated in red, white, and blue frosting.
Day 35 – Thursday, July 5th
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We awoke to drizzle and rough seas as we continued to work to get our helicopter back into action.
This morning we experienced a major casualty – baby bird in the 1B Gas Turbine Module! We think that a bird somehow found its way down the exhaust system for one of our gas turbine engines and a watchstander observed it flying around in the module that encloses one of our two gas turbine engines. Despite great risk to their own health and welfare (if you have seen Alfred Hitchcock’s Birds, you know the risks), several engineers proceeded into the module in the attempt to capture it. When we thought all was lost, our very own Saint Francis of Assisi, GSE2 Boubaker Fofana, stepped forward to grab the bird and then release it topside. Immediately afterwards we held counseling sessions and a group hug for the many engineers whose run in with the baby bird was just too much to handle.
Great job to GSE2 Boubaker Fofana and EN1 Jason Woller (on loan from USS ANZIO (CG 68), the greatest Cruiser in the fleet) who qualified as Electrical Plant Control Console (EPCC) operators. This is a very challenging qualification – the EPCC operator is in charge of the operation and monitoring of CARR’s 4 Ship’s Service Diesel Generators and associated electrical distribution systems.
Congrats to Ensign James Kenny who earned his Officer of the Deck Qualification; that leaves only one Ensign who remains to qualify – no pressure ENS Joshua Stewart.
Day 36 – Friday, July 6th
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We awoke to heavy rains, low visibility, and lightening – the good news is that we got a free fresh water wash down from Mother Nature to get the salt off our ship.
This week GSM2 Tyler Smith received the Engineer of the Week award for outstanding performance in standing his duties as Auxiliary Systems Monitor. He was awarded a $10 gift certificate to the ship’s store and a well deserved day off from division duty.
Great job to IT1 Brian McCarty and IT1 Richard Freese who put forth many hours of effort in the restoration of our Navy Tactical Command Support System (NTCSS). This system is needed by every division on board and is essential in ordering parts, tracking qualifications, and documenting material deficiencies. Great persistence and follow-through by both of them.
Congrats to GSE3 George Clements upon qualifying as a Sounding and Security Watch. This roving watch is our first line of defense to detect small problems before they could become larger ones (such as fire and flooding).
BZ to ET1 Carl Denker and IT3 Edward Szwarc who restored our electronic navigation computer. They pieced together a new computer from extra parts we had on hand and installed the software to make the system functional. This navigation system provides great situational awareness only rivaled by the Captain’s Garmin!
Day 37 – Saturday, July 7th
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Great job to the helo det upon completing their “D” phase maintenance and restoring the helicopter to full mission readiness. Everyone in the detachment put in long hours, even during our port visit, to overcome a very uncooperative helicopter. The good news is that CARR’s most valuable sensor and weapon in the war on drugs is back in action. BZ to the following personnel:
AD2 Jared Melton, AD2 Scott Stearns, and AD3 Ethan Wallis who completely disassembled Venom 502’s main rotor head. Their thoroughness and professional knowledge resulted in finding and fixing multiple discrepancies. AD2 Melton personally witnessed and signed 82 Maintenance Action Forms and observed the installation of 4 brand new elastomeric bearings and build up of 4 new Rotor Head Spindles. AD2 Stearns and AD3 Wallis were instrumental in the quick disassembly and reassembly of the Main Rotor Head and quickly made over 100 Pitch Change Rod adjustments, 12 trim tab adjustments and 8 blade changes during the Functional Check Flight of Venom 502.
AE1 Craig Puterbaugh, who used his expert knowledge of aircraft electrical systems to troubleshoot and repair a failure in the auxiliary power unit.
His quick thinking, attention to detail, and quick repair allowed functional check flights to continue later that same day.
AM2 Christopher Geiger, AM3 Ralph MacDonald and AM3 Kyle Eyer quickly changed out the aircraft’s main rotor head accumulator which failed during functional check flights.
Over the last few weeks our helicopter’s radar had been out of commission; thanks to the expertise of AT3 Jak Lopez the radar is now fully operational.
Special thanks to DC3 Andrew Webb who was instrumental in the fabrication of a high speed shaft bracket needed to balance number two engine. Without his expertise the entire functional check flight process would have ground to a halt.
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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”
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NNS120703-18. USS Carr visits Santa Marta, Colombia
By Ensign Joshua J. Stewart, USS Carr Public Affairs
SANTA MARTA, Colombia (NNS) — The guided missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) arrived in Santa Marta, Colombia, for their first Caribbean port visit, June 28, during their deployment in support of Operation Martillo.
Carr visited Santa Marta following a month at sea conducting operations to counter transnational organized crime (CTOC) in the U.S. 4th Fleet (C4F) area of responsibility in support of Operation Martillo.
Carr Sailors took advantage of the opportunity to visit historic areas and experience the culture of Colombia’s oldest city.
“This was an excellent opportunity for Carr’s Sailors to experience Colombia’s rich culture. My group spent time walking around the city to see the historic buildings and many statues as well as enjoy the local food,” said Quartermaster 3rd Class David Blancoventura.
Visiting another country can be a rewarding and educational experience. Learning the cultural differences and history plays a major role for Sailors visiting other countries.
“Port visits aren’t just about taking some time off to unwind; they also provide an opportunity to learn more about other cultures and history. We used this as an opportunity to learn more about Simon Bolivar and United Fruit’s role in the development of Colombia,” said Cmdr. Patrick Kulakowski, Carr commanding officer.
Carr is homeported in Norfolk, Va., and is currently deployed in support of Operation Martillo, under operational control to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and C4F (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) while conducting CTOC operations in support of Joint Interagency Task Force – South, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), and U.S. Coast Guard District Seven.
Operation Martillo (Spanish for ‘hammer’) is a U.S., European, and Western Hemisphere partner nation effort targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. U.S. military participation is being led by Joint Interagency Task Force-South, a component of USSOUTHCOM. Operation Martillo is a component of the U.S. government’s coordinated interagency regional security strategy in support of the White House strategy to combat transnational organized crime and the U.S. Central America Regional Security Initiative.
COMUSNAVSO/C4F supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.
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