OSC Joel Wifler

Day 78: Another duty day in Gibraltar. I think this makes four. Our last day here, as we finally depart tomorrow. It’ll be nice to potentially wake up after my watch tonight and be back at sea.

Day 79: Back to sea. Escorted our U.S. Navy sister out thru the Strait of Gibraltar until they kicked in the afterburner (so to speak) and high tailed it out of there. I imagine they became “invisible” shortly after passing over the horizon. The sun is out and the seas are calm, just how I remember the Mediterranean Sea being from my trip across in ‘99.

Day 80: There are some irate coffee drinkers in the Mess this morning as the ship has run out of Splenda and Equal. I think it may be time for those folks to wean themselves off of the proverbial sweetener and enjoy the finer art/taste of “coffee flavored coffee”. I happened to be out on deck at the right time, as I caught a glimpse of a sea turtle this morning just before lunch. I don’t think it liked being tossed in our wake, but at least we avoided it. Satellite television has returned and it’s just like being in Chuck town. CNN during the day, Discovery or the History channel at night. We have eleven channels, yet those three are the predominant ones. As much as we’d like to watch the summer Olympics, there are no dedicated sports channels. So we have to settle for the few highlights and medal count updates that occasionally appear on CNN.

Day 81: F.A.C. but no time for swim call. We’re trying to get to our next stop on time. There’s a lot more shipping traffic out here than I remember.

Day 82: Welcome back to Valletta, Malta. I don’t imagine I’ll be writing too much about this place, as I will not have duty here. Off to the beach or wherever the road takes me.

Day 83: A long recovery was needed today as last night turned out to be one of “those” rare occasions that I have once a deployment. I must have had a good time as many crew members have asked “how I’m doing”. And apparently I took the opportunity to sing karaoke in a Scottish pub, though I only have a vague recollection of that. Caught dinner at the Hard Rock Café in Paceville. Food was exactly the same as every other HRC, but the service was HORRIBLE. Tom had to wait 15 minutes for mayo, and another 10 for a refill on his Coke. After our table was cleared and we declined dessert, we waited another 20 minutes for our bill. It wasn’t busy. I’d say there were maybe five occupied tables, between three servers. Incidentally, all of us were disappointed. Our disappointment was short lived though; as the discovery of Chawon’s fanny pack, in all of its glory, brought out some long winded humor and fun surrounding the modeling and proper wear of said “pack”. Apparently, someone thought that a pair of cammo pants would have accentuated the “pack” even more appropriately.

Day 84: Our departure was postponed a few hours, but we’re underway again for the next mystery destination and apparently we’re in a hurry.

SN Jason Evans

In Still Moments The sun’s light looms over a mountain And as it seeps through the mist The island illuminates slowly With such majestic awe The foliage transforms into a bright green Birds soar in the warmth As flowers unveil their beauty A gentle breeze passes them by Enough to make the ocean stir And known its colorful inhabitance   The seagoing vessels appear aimless Their wake as white as snow Deeply etched though temporary Thoughts of the mind drift Transitioning as the tides Sudden yet always sought When the course calls for change Like in Dreams The sun’s light looms over a mountain Bringing forth a new day

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Photos

PO3 Caroline Gehring makes notes in a medical record.

(Left to right) PO3 Brandon Bryant and PO3 Kristen Esters simulate extinguishing a fire on the flight deck.

LT Eduardo Faytong waves to the Armed Forces of Malta search and rescue boat as it approaches the Dallas.

Fire Team Two mans the fire hose on the flight deck during firefighting training.

(Left to right) PO2 Jason Rodriguez teaches Gunner Paul Fenech and Sgt. Adrian Xuereb of Malta Maritime Squadron, how to fight a helicopter fire while SN Michelle Soskin looks on.

CPO Carla Clark admires the view of Malta as the DALLAS arrives Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008.

This is the interior of the lavishly decorated St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta.

(Left to right) SN Bradley Boling and SN Christina Calello stow mooring lines.

“The best part of waking up …….” - PO1 Class Kevin Landry.

CAPT Robert Wagner (left) presents Libyan ambassador, Dr. Saad Elshlmani, with a DALLAS plaque.

(Left to right) ENS Hermie Mendoza uses red flags to simulate a fire on the flight deck while Gunner Anthony Bugeja and Sgt. Mario Kitcher use a fire hose to simulate extinguishing the fire.

Search and rescue exercise briefing in the wardroom.

DALLAS passes Fort St. Angelo as it departs Valletta, Malta.

PO3 Caleb Hagler sits inside one of the tiny boats in the harbor in Valletta, Malta.

PO2 Bradley Matthews strikes a pose while standing watch.

Crewmembers aboard the DALLAS wave goodbye to onlookers while leaving Malta.

SN Eliud Ramos tends a line during boat-lowering detail.

A helicopter and an Armed Forces of Malta boat put on a search and rescue demonstration.

This is one of the many caves rising up from the crystal-clear water in Malta’s Blue Lagoon.