Off Topic And now for something real good

[syciprider]

We were headed home from a 6 month 'round the world cruise and happened to be nearby when a certain disaster struck. Now here we are. One of the first on station ready to assist. Go Navy

Unfortunately this means that I probably will not see my Big AL until the Navy decides that our presence is no longer needed and sends another ship to relieve us.

 

[syciprider]

Vinson Deploys to Respond to Haiti Earthquake

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) has been ordered to deploy to Haiti to conduct Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) missions Jan. 13. Currently, Vinson is underway in the Atlantic Ocean, and will briefly loiter off the coast of Mayport to receive equipment and supplies.

Along with Vinson, USS Bataan (LHD 5) embarked with Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU 22), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) were ordered to get underway as soon as possible. Additionally, USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Underwood (FFG 36) and USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) will deploy from their homeports and stand ready to assist, while USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), homeported in Baltimore, Md., is preparing to get underway, if required.

A Navy P-3 Orion aircraft from the Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 detachment operating from Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa, El Salvador, took off early this morning to conduct aerial surveys of the area affected by the earthquake.

USS Higgins (DDG 76) based out of Naval Station San Diego will arrive on station off the coast of Haiti tomorrow (heh, we're already here) to provide afloat logistical services for the Coast Guard helicopters.

Whoop!

 

[Bart B]

Great you guys are there already to assist!
With the carrier underway, I suppose you'll go home soon cuz they can support more helicopters thn your destroyer?

Do you have a bass/guitar with you to practice when off-duty?

keep up the good work!

 

[syciprider]

I suppose you'll go home soon cuz they can support more helicopters thn your destroyer?

While many of us don't mind staying here a bit longer for a good cause, some of us too are hoping that the carrier's arrival and the capabilities she brings with her will signal the end of our involvement in relief operations. However, a carrier is a very valuable and tempting target and situations such as these may just be the opportunity that an enterprising group of scumbags need to stage an attack. We may be tasked with performing escort duties for the carrier. That remains to be seen.

Do you have a bass/guitar with you to practice when off-duty?

I have three EBMM basses and a Markbass combo sitting next to my desk

 

[cellkirk74]

It's good to know some help there already. How bad is it? We hear really terrible news over here.

 

[Powman]

I have three EBMM basses and a Markbass combo sitting next to my desk

For a little while I was going to feel sorry for your, until I saw that. Now I envy you!

Seriously, that is awesome that you are doing wonderful work to help people. People need to thank Americans more often for all the humanitarian things they do, instead of complaining about America.

 

[bizmarckie]

We were headed home from a 6 month 'round the world cruise and happened to be nearby when a certain disaster struck. Now here we are. One of the first on station ready to assist. Go Navy

Unfortunately this means that I probably will not see my Big AL until the Navy decides that our presence is no longer needed and sends another ship to relieve us.

You will be joined with your new love soon enough, I'm sure. But until then, God speed to you Sir!
And thank you for your Service!

 

[bkrumme]

Thank you for your service!

 

[bovinehost]

Sorry to hear it, Frank. I know your pain.

We were at the tail end of a trip in which my little detachment had been crossdecked innumerable times (for you land crabs, that means that the ship went home while we were simply moved to an arriving ship) and had worked four distinct Latin American type missions and we were very cranky and tired and so on. You know the drill.

And then - guess what? Haiti went to the dogs! A military coup, unseating Aristide, the first democractically elected President in the history of the country! And even though we were not really equipped (read: no French linguists) to respond, we were the closest and off we went, adding 45 days to an already very long deployment. Hooray for the poorest country in the western hemisphere!

Admiral: "What are they doing, Jack?"
Jack: "They're speaking Haitian Creole, sir. Beyond that, I do not know."
Admiral: "Any threat to our personnel?"
Jack: "I'm sure there is, but I couldn't tell you from what or whom."
Admiral: "Well, hang in there!"
Jack: "Will do, Admiral."

Imagine a month and a half of THAT.

Well, you get what you pay for.

All this by way of saying that I hope you get home soon!

Jack

 

[five7]

God bless you!!

 

[T-bone]

You've got one hell of a job ahead of you, Frank. If there's anything we can do for you, let us know as I'm sure we knuckleheads will help with anything you ask.

tbone

 

[keko]

God bless you!!

+1

syciprider, be careful please, It's dangerous situation there and it's possible Tsunami!

By the way, my country supporting with police special force unit and government supports financially, is not much, but any help counts!

Hope You'll see a new bass soon!

 

[syciprider]

Hey everyone I appreciate the good vibes.

There is really nothing to see from my ringside seat. I know about as much as the rest of you.
I was able to catch some news about the worldwide mobilization of rescue and relief assets and personnel. I also saw some pictures of the devastation.

Right now one of the concerns right here within my little group of sailors is that someone's Dad was living in Port Au Prince and has not been heard of since.

 

[Aussie Mark]

it's possible Tsunami!

Nope, not 2 days after the quake.