Dave,
It has been a while since I have written. For those that need a quick run down here is what has happened. First off was turkey day with CentCom himself, General Pretreaus serving us turkey and the trimmings. Just a few days after that we pulled into Dubai. Then the biggest thing for me was that I have transferred out of a support work center then transferred back to my primary work center of avionics. Okay that is the quick summary, now time for the details.
First off on Turkey day we had CentCom arrive on station. He was onboard for two days to see how we, the US Navy do our power projection thing. Plus as he explained later he wanted to come back out to a carrier since he did the same thing last year. He was impressed every time he came onboard a carrier. Now to set the scene for some of your readers. We sort of knew about this only a couple of days before hand that he was going to show up. Now when some one in leadership learns that a fleet commander, theater commander, or even National Command Authority decides to show up to a ship; the good idea fairy shows up as well deciding that the ship isn't clean enough. So what to do? Field day the ship. This isn't a problem either. Break out brooms, swabs, steaming hot water, cleaning compounds, etc. Scrub away, till it gets clean. Lets insert the good idea fairy again, they say to some one that if the wall is supposed to be white but isn't getting there with cleaning, well then repaint the sucker. Whole passageway can't be cleaned, paint it! Close it off and prevent transit until the painting is done or until it dries. This is all cool until you have to hump a heavy part from a letter frame on the ship way back to frame 200+ and then up to the ship. Well, now it becomes a pain in the arse and raises that little stress level. That being said CentCom showed up, took a flight in the backseat of a F-18F of VFA-41, served turkey and lobster to us, and then gave us the pep talk about what we are doing is important. Turkey Day menu onboard the USS Nimitz this year was Turkey, lobster tails, seasoned ham, sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, mixed veggies, green beans and various pies.
Only a couple of days after turkey day we pulled into Dubai. We weren't there very long so I didn't get a chance to head into town and see the changes. So I just hung around the USO Oasis, or sandbox as it is termed by most of us. I had to work late the first day and then duty the second day and our final day in port I just wasn't in the mood to do anything. So I went down made a phone call home to the wife and did my laundry at the on site laundro-mat. Beyond that was pick up a couple of souvenirs for the up coming Christmas holiday. I also decided to talk to a tailor shop they had on spot and got my self a couple of custom tailored fitted suits. I don’t know completely why I sent with the full suit, when all I really wanted was a nice blazer to head out in town with. After talking to the salesman, I decided to go for the full deal custom made shirt, pants, jacket, and vest. The only thing was they promised delivery same day by 2100. It wasn't until 2345 that the suit showed up from their factory in town, so I talked them into throwing in a pair of cuff links and a tie. Other then that it was the sandbox again, almost the same place as it was only a year ago.
Just this past week I transferred from being the Tool rep and support equipment rep over to back over to working in the avionics shop. The aircraft in this squadron have a few new systems that my previous squadron was just upgrading to before I left. So I need to relearn how to troubleshoot a few of my systems and how to call out a bad part. It is back to trying to do work and learning how to juggle the maintenance controllers. It will be interesting, primarily because all though things are the same they are different as well. How you sign off a maf, how to think ahead in troubleshooting a gripe, how to debrief an aircrew to get to the meat and potatoes of a gripe.
Well that is quick and fast but I also have to now start juggling two computers amongst sixteen people. The next few postcards will be shorter.
Sincerely,
Charles
