OSC Joel Wifler

Day 99: I’m on the “soul killer” watch today. It is so affectionately named by my shop as it is the longest watch (5 & 1/2hrs), and again due to the time difference, the least busy so the time drags and drags along.

Day 100: Welcome to Sevastopol, Ukraine. I’m told there was a demonstration protesting NATO and the like upon our arrival, but it all but dissipated after I got relieved from the watch before lunch. Due to an extreme language barrier, I’m choosing not to roam this historic city, so I’ll be relying on my fellow Chief’s to capture their carousing photogenic ally. I’ll be attending a reception on board this evening, so we’ll see how that turns out.

Day 101: Underway early this morning, back out to the oddly cool Black Sea. Most of the crew, including myself, is moving around a little slower than usual. Must be due to the lack of time off. Although, a bounty of leave requests is on my desk, so at least folks are starting to make plans for our upcoming return to Chuck Town. I haven’t decided yet. Something else I’m having trouble deciding is where to go next. The assignment process for my transfer next year is rapidly approaching and I’m having a hard time nailing down what to put in for. I’m leaning towards back-to-back afloat, but I only want one cutter available and it’s red hulled.

Day 102: Hurricanes and Tropical Storms seem to be on everyone’s mind today, with Hanna, Ike, and Josephine. The eastern seaboard could become ravaged with rough weather in the coming days/weeks. Hope my truck and townhouse survive. Ran some damage control training this afternoon. Flooding, shoring, and a medical drill. Decent scores for some, more training needed for another. We’ll have plenty of time on the way home and while in port to hone our responses and skill sets.

Day 103: Welcome to Constanta, Romania. Where the heck is our pier? Looking at the harbor and our approach, there must be a dozen places that we could tie up to. Liberty granted early today as there is no training to be held. That was shocking, as we have grown accustomed to providing something in just about every port we’ve visited. Duty blues for me today as the tale of the day/night watchman continue. Gave some cash to Delain for a possible souvenir, but apparently all that’s available at most of the “touristy” places is the same apparel you can find in your everyday shopping mall back home. I’ll try tomorrow with my short time off before our departure.

Day 104: After a long and deadly quiet night, I decided that sleep was more important than exploring. I’m told that I didn’t miss much. Too bad that Transylvania is 600km away, there’s no way we’d get there and back with the time that we have here. A CG HH-65 crashed off of Hawaii last night, three of the four member crew past away and one is missing. I’m apprehensive as I know two pilots out there and some aircrew personnel but no names have been released yet.

Day 105: Welcome to Burgas, Bulgaria. I’m in a somber/sour mood however, as names of our fallen Coasties have been released and I’ve lost another friend, AST1 David Skimin. Granted I hadn’t spoken or corresponded with him in a few years, I’m not feeling very happy right now.

Photos

SN Patricia White waits to greet visitors and check their hats during a reception.

(Left to right) FN Charles Lewter and SN Robert Zwerin adjust the length of mechanical shoring during an emergency drills.

CPO James Moerls communicates with personnel on the bridge as the ship moors in Burgas, Bulgaria.

PO2 Jessica Holland ensures there are enough glasses for a reception on the flight deck of Dallas in Sevastopol, Ukraine'

SN Ryan Frazier attaches rope lights to a tent on the flight deck of Dallas in preparation for a reception in Sevastopol, Ukraine.

SN Nicholas Graham checks to make sure all the glasses are clean for a reception later in the evening on the flight deck.

PO2 Charles Schreiber gets into party mode by dancing under the tent on the flight deck.

PO1 Ronald Thompson places food on a table on the flight deck.

PO2 Robert Stous tunes a radio during an emergency drill.

FN Charles Lewter holds onto mechanical shoring and waits for instructions while participating in a damage control drills.

ENS Ryan Gomez checks radar contacts on the bridge of the Dallas while transiting through the Black Sea.