USS CARR’s First Week of its Last Deployment

CARR Families and Friends,

My first weekly update is a short one as we commence our transit to the Caribbean Sea for deployment. Our focus over the next six months will be executing our Countering Transnational Organized Crime mission and enforcing our seven guiding principles of watchstanding: Integrity, Level-of-Knowledge, Procedural Compliance, Formality, Questioning Attitude, Forceful Backup, and Risk Management.

Welcome aboard HM1 Randall McLain, our new Independent Duty Corpsman and a fond farewell to HMC Dave Taylor who departs for his next tour at COMNAVSURFLANT. Additionally, welcome aboard to our 12 newly reported Sailors who were cross-decked from other Norfolk ships to support our deployment:

DC1 Jeremiah Robertson, BM1 Marcus Mincey, BM2 Jared Thomson, GSM2 Kevin Barrientos, FC2 Cliff Jensen, ITSN Christopher Noonan, EMFN Jeffrey Farlow, LS2 Dominique Sherrod, GSE3 George Clements, BM2 Rolando Clarke, ENFN Brian Sutton, OS2 Allen Catalan, CS2 Harrold Edge, and EN1 Jason Woller Farewell and following seas to ITC Joseph Wert, CS3 Corey Evans, LSSN Justin Evans, GSM2 Marco Renderos, BM1 Toney London, EN2 Blake Petenbrink, IC2 John Taylor, and STG2 John Harrold.

Several spouses have asked about sending mail…we expect to get mail every few weeks…packages and letters can be sent to your Sailor at:

[Name]
[Department/Division]
USS CARR (FFG 52)
FPO AE 09566-1506

Deployment Day 1 – Friday, June 1st
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As most of you know, on Friday morning we departed Norfolk to begin CARR’s final deployment! Before we departed, we had several high ranking guests, to include: Admiral Harvey (Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command), RADM Thomas (Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic), RADM Shelanski (Commander, Carrier Strike Group Ten), and Commodore Fuller (Commander, Destroyer Squadron Twenty Two). In addition we had all the local news teams on the pier.

We departed under sunny skies and with many friends and family on the pier to see us off. Thank you to CARR’s Family Readiness Group for providing refreshments for all those that came out to wish their loved ones farewell.

After securing from the Sea and Anchor detail we immediately shifted focus to prepare for a refueling at sea with USNS BIG HORN. We took on a total of 12,023 gallons of JP-5 (fuel for our helicopter) and 21,678 gallons of F-76 (fuel for our diesels and gas turbine engines). Once our tanks were topped off, we pushed South against the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream flows up the eastern coast of the United States; we need to order up an additional 3-5kts of speed to overcome the current.

Day 2 – Saturday, June 2nd
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Today while transiting south we started the day by conducting a small arms gun shoot on the flight deck for qualifications.   Great job to GM2 Ethan Krug and GMSA Stephen Joyce for setting up the range and ensuring the evolution was conducted safely.

Congratulations to GSMC Ravi Tobierre who reenlisted for four more years. He has done a great job as our lead engineer (designated as “Top Snipe”).

Later in the afternoon we conducted Damage Control drills – a main space fire drill – to ensure we stay on the top of our game and remain ready to respond to any casualty.

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

Facebook:
CARR
https://www.facebook.com/FFG52
OMBUDSMAN
http://www.facebook.com/pages/USS-CARR-
ombudsman/219688138070847?sk=wall
CARR Family Readiness Group
http://www.facebook.comhome.php?sk =group_137767426300026&ap=1

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

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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”