USS CARR Families and Friends –
We are starting to move North in preparation for our return to Norfolk – we are now on the same time zone as Norfolk! The most dangerous time during deployment are the last few weeks before return to port, as people’s focus strays from the task at hand. Please email your Sailor and remind him or her to keep focused until we are safely pierside in Norfolk.
I want to make you all aware of Operation Jingle. The opportunity exists for all Sailors who reside on CARR, local barracks, or in PPV housing to have their families stay for free in a local hotel from 23-26 December. The hotel room must be occupied by the Sailor’s family and they must be visiting from out of town. Room availability is limited – so as always, the earlier the response the better. Your Sailor can contact OSC Van to have their family placed on the list for this opportunity.
The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, or EAS, will take place at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on November 9, 2011. The purpose of the test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the system in alerting the public. Although the nationwide EAS test may resemble the periodic monthly EAS tests that most are familiar with, there will be some differences in what people may see or hear, which is one reason for conducting a nationwide EAS test. During the test, the public will hear a message indicating “this is a test”; however, due to limitations of the EAS the video test message may not be the same and may not indicate “this is a test”. This is due to the use of a “live” national code – the same code that would be used in an actual emergency. Also, the background image that appears on video screens may not indicate “this is a test.”
Day 139 – Sunday, October 30th
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Although it is Sunday, we conducted multiple flight quarters today to support our helicopter flying. The helicopter squadron is given a set number of hours they have to fly, and based on this they had no choice but to use Sundays. As always the flight deck crew did a professional job.
Day 140 – Monday, October 31st
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We hope everyone enjoyed Halloween back home. In the evening some Sailors enjoyed scary movies on the mess decks.
This week STG2 (SW) Matthew Greenwood and FC2 (SW) Adam Lemons worked together and spent over 12 hours overhauling and cleaning the seawater cooling system for the AN/SQS-56 Hull Mounted Sonar. The seawater cooling system is necessary to cool the electronics. This was a particularly challenging job due to the location of the cooler – very inaccessible. I am sure both racked their knuckles a few times. It was amazing to see how much nasty stuff they pulled out of the cooler – I will spare you all the details.
Day 141 – Tuesday, November 1st
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We assisted USCG Cutter Tampa today with another boarding. Although our embarked team didn’t board, we remained stationed nearby to provide a visible deterrence in case the boarded vessel attempted to make a run for it or get aggressive. Additionally, we have a well trained Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment on board if needed. Fortunately the boarding went smoothly and we were off to other tasking.
Today we had no flight quarters – a break for the flight deck crew. Since we weren’t flying, the Gunner’s Mates set up our flight deck shooting range to get personnel qualified or proficient in shooting small arms in preparation for our return to Norfolk.
Day 142– Wednesday, November 2nd
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We had the opportunity to launch an autonomous survey vessel, called a Sea Glider. This Sea Glider will move through the Caribbean for many months, collecting data about water temperature, salinity, and other parameters. The data collected can be used to analyze the ocean’s effects on weather.
Our small boat has been unreliable over the past few days, as a result we asked for a fuel lift pump to restore full operation. Obviously you can’t pull into the local NAPA and grab one out here; however, we do get air service. In the late afternoon a Coast Guard cargo plane appeared on the horizon, coming in low and slow. After making an initial pass over Carr, they circled back around and a parachute fell out the back of the plane. We maneuvered Carr to the drop point and then dispatched one of our Search and Rescue swimmers, BM3 Matthew Mudderman, to go retrieve it. He did a great job, ensuring he did not get entangled in the parachute and dragging the canister back to Carr. Within a couple of hours EN2 Chris Collier and EN3 Blake Petenbrink had the pump installed and our small boat returned to full mission capability.
This afternoon we suddenly stopped receiving classified email and messages – our Information System Technicians immediately began to investigate and noted an unusual smell coming from the classified network router. Upon further investigation, we discovered that the power supply had failed. Great job to ET1 (SW) Carl Denker who used spare parts from old computers to construct a temporary power supply and restore the classified router to full operation. The rig is a bit Frankenstein, but it definitely works as an interim measure. ET1 Denker is one among many on board with exceptional technical skill and drive to get the job done.
Throughout our deployment our Engineers have continued to conduct evolutions and drills to ensure they were ready to deal with any potential casualty. Of particular note are EM3 Jereme Fuller and EM2 Quang Duong – both have displayed expert knowledge and teamwork over many drill sets. During actual casualties they both demonstrated superior knowledge of their controlling and immediate actions. With their cool-headed and timely responses, along with their subsequent troubleshooting, they ensured uninterrupted supply of power to Carr. Working side by side, their quick reaction in handling various console controls kept Carr steaming and ready to answer all bells.
Day 143 – Thursday, November 3rd
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We assisted USCG Cutter Tampa again with another boarding evolution. Later that evening we broke off and headed on a patrol looking for go-fast boats and submersibles carrying narcotics.
Day 144 – Friday, November 4th
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We have lots of equipment on board to support our crew, among them seemingly mundane items like galley and wardroom freezers, juice machines, the self serve ice machine, and food preparation equipment. Unlike at home, we can’t just go to Sears and buy a food chopper and plug it in – the majority of our equipment is hard-wired into the electrical distribution system for safety. Additionally, equipment must be mounted and secured to ensure that it doesn’t move and hurt someone when we maneuver or encounter heavy seas.
Great job to EN2 Chris Collier, EM3 Jereme Fuller , EN3 Elvin Lugo , HT3 Isaac Boston, and HT3 Tony Oliveri who spent countless hours this week troubleshooting and repairing several vital pieces of support equipment listed above. After 5 months at sea, we have been able to maintain most of our food service equipment operational because of the hard work and dedication.
Thanks to ENFN Ryan Dahl who took the initiative to conduct repairs on the dumbwaiter elevator door latching system, allowing safe operation. The dumbwaiter allows our Culinary Specialist and Food Service Attendants to transport food from our galley to the Wardroom safely instead of having to carry it up a ladder and through two hatches.
Day 145 – Saturday, November 5th
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Congratulations to STGC Benjamin Bourne and his wife upon the birth of their son Jacob Bourne; he is 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 22 inches. Mom and baby are both doing well….congrats!
Today BM3 Justin Arnold became QM3 Arnold. Congratulations on reenlisting and converting to the Quartermaster rating. He was a leader in First Division and now is taking on the challenge of learning a new rating. With his dedication and willingness to learn I am sure he will very quickly take a leading role in his new division.
Great Job to BM3 Travis Gardner upon qualifying 3M Work Center Supervisor. With the departure of QM3 Justin Arnold from First Division, BM3 Gardner quickly stepped up to ensure maintenance was being completed and documented correctly. This is not an easy task with as much equipment that he has to maintain.
BZ to OSSN Devon Johnson who had done an excellent job as Operations Intelligence Division Assistant Training Petty Officer. For the past month he has planned and executed all mandatory monthly training and he wrote, issued, and corrected the monthly knowledge exam.
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Please join us on Facebook:
CARR Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FFG52
Jessica Meissner OMBUDSMAN http://www.facebook.com/pages/USS-CARR-Ombudsman/219688138070847?sk=wall
CARR FAMILY READINESS GROUP http://www.facebook.com/USSCARRFRG
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Until next week, stay safe Carr Family and Friends!
CDR Patrick Kulakowski
Commanding Officer
USS CARR (FFG 52)
“Courage, Will, Determination”
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