OSC Joel Wifler

Well, week one is officially over. Nothing but the rolling waves of the Atlantic on my second official trip across (I’m not counting both ways). My journey started out with hectic troubleshooting of “essential” equipment until I and my esteemed colleagues determined there wasn’t a chance in hell of fixing it with what we had. So on day two I was able to fulfill one of many collateral’s and obtain the necessary part needed to fix the problem by vectoring in a helicopter for drop off. Yes, it was that important.

Friday night was bingo night on the crews mess, first place was a digital camera, so if you can imagine, standing room only.

I surprised my parents this morning by using our latest toy today, the afloat phone. Free 10 minute phone calls to the crew on a revolving six-day basis. Kind of a nice perk, considering I’ve had to rely on email for the last two years. So don’t be surprised if you happen to hear from me at random times throughout the day/night. I say this because we keep skipping forward in time zones.

Meals have been the same quality as usual. If you must ask, the definition of “usual” ranks somewhere between elementary school hot lunch and either Old Country Buffet (for my Midwesterners) or Sizzler (for everyone who’s never heard of a OCB).

We’re “almost” to our first stop where I’m sure the real fun of this deployment will commence. Until next week…

MK1 Aaron Mertz

This is the Engine Room Control Booth called Main Control. Here engineers stand watch to operate and monitor Ships Service Generators and Main Propulsion Machinery. As you can see there are many gauges, alarms and controls. The console shown here is used to operate the Main Diesel Engines and Main Gas Turbines. Not much has changed in the control booth since the ship was first built.

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Seaman Shantwon Astin

June 11, 2008 - It is week three of our patrol, or shall I say deployment, and the morale of the crew is amazingly high. We have been training our host nation’s Coast Guard personnel, and they are having a blast too. To see the crew interact with them is not only amazing but it's very uplifting. It has been a unique experience to see the crew overcome cultural differences and language barriers, and begin to lean upon each other for emotional support or just to make new friends.

I have been onboard this cutter for two years and I have never seen the crew come together and work as team, a unit, and become a great moving force in the lives of people from other nations. I believe we are a proud group of sailors and you should be glad to call your friends and family “Guardians of the Sea.”

In these few short weeks, I believe many of us have changed, or have been changed by what we have seen or witnessed. Whether it has been by each other or some the people from the countries we have visited so far. If I had to leave you with anything it would be that we are thankful for the opportunity, but with every opportunity comes adversity. We will step up as a crew and answer that call every time.

/s/ A Grateful Seaman, Seaman Shantwon Astin

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SN Jason Evans

Wet lands Left from home Right to sea Away from those Loved by thee Families far Yet all around Place thy heart On solid ground Foreign lands Eyes now see Manifested variety Inspired to be Conscious life Inside of time   Rhythmic flow Ruby shine Meditated greatness Ahead at sea Always close Yet far from thee Give those hope Merciful light Let it shine in corners Where dark is so bright And after that time Allow them to see Their loved ones at home Where they ought to be A year ago

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First-Class Cadet Anais Greenley

I can't believe I'm on my 1/c summer patrol already. In less than one year I'll be an Ensign, and this summer is all about learning what we'll be doing as Ensigns. Due to the fact that Dallas will not be getting their new Ensigns until mid-patrol, my classmates and I are getting the opportunity to do most of the things that they would be doing had they been here.

I am working in the Engineering Department which means I'm standing lots of double watches, getting a crash course in how the machinery onboard works and doing a lot of paper work.

At the Academy cadets are taught about the navigation side of the Coast Guard but nothing about the best way to start a drawing of a ship’s fresh-water system or anything else to do with engineering.

It's challenging but at the same time it's still a lot of fun, and that's the best thing about me being here. I'm getting a dress rehearsal of things to come while still learning and having fun. ~~ /s/ First-Class Cadet Anais Greenley

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