Hello and Welcome back to the 2nd edition of our patrol. We are sending this journal to you from the heart of the Caribbean where we have had a very successful start to our patrol. The temperature has changed substantially since leaving Boston; going from the low 40’s when we left our New England home to the mid 80’s at our current latitude. As a result of this change in weather and temperature the crew is smiling and laughing as they go about their daily work. As BM3 Loiselle continually reminds me, “if your not sweating then your not working.” While the first week of the patrol consisted mostly of the transit down, the second week has put us into the heart of our operating area and given us some exciting evenings.

Working in conjunction with the MH-68 helicopter has allowed us to cover a lot more area and be a much more effective asset. In order to make ourselves more efficient and to ensure that we have enough qualified personnel after this summer’s upcoming rotation period, we have spent a great deal of time trying to qualify multiple crewmembers in all positions. The ship is currently training new people as helo tie-down members, landing safety officers (LSO) and new helicopter control officers (HCO).

On Monday night the entire crew was up late doing training with the Helo so the XO, LCDR Gale, gave the crew a huge gift by granting late rack until 0900 on Tuesday. It’s amazing what something as simple as sleeping in can do for the ship’s morale, especially when the evening is concluded with wings prepared and served by the ship’s chiefs.

On Wednesday afternoon we had a swim call to cool off and get out of the heat. For those of you that have never had the opportunity to participate in a swim call it really is an opportunity of a lifetime. It is one thing to go swimming in the ocean at the beach, but it is quite another to be able to look down and see nothing but bright blue water as far as your eyes will take you. As you will probably notice from our pictures and the complete lack of tans, this was the first time out in the sun since last August for most people!!

Friday and Saturday had the crew on their toes as plans changed continually at the last minute. Planned flights were delayed, rescheduled, and launched early. Unexpected flights were started and then delayed.

On a final note, ESCANABA was joined this week by Erica Colls, a journalism student at Boston University. She is spending ten days on board talking with the crew and trying to get a feel for “the life in the day of a Coastie”. She has immersed herself in shipboard life, participating in all aspects our day. Whether it is taking a tour through the 100 degree engine room or dressing out as a tie down member Ms. Colls has done a great job of immersing herself in Coast Guard activities. She has even joined in on the ship’s workout competition. After a little coercion I have convinced her to provide us with a little message from her.

Hello family and friends!
I’m a student from Boston University working on my thesis. My project consists of a joint photo and written story about life on a 270 foot cutter, specifically, the Escanaba. If a person doesn’t know someone in the Coast Guard, it’s hard to comprehend what it’s really like to live this life and perform this job. The Coast Guard is not under the media’s eye as much as the other branches of the military, which leaves the general public ignorant to its services. I’ve been lucky to spend the past week with your loved ones to better understand the Coast Guard, and from my perspective the sacrifice they make is worth the job they do. Currently, the ship is working in the Caribbean. Although I may not take part in actual law enforcement, it would be a great addition to the meat of my story; swim calls, Easter meals, casino nights, fire drills or flight operations; a day in the lives of the Escanaba crew.
Thanks,
Erica Colls

Awards



Congratulations to SK1 Kurt Woodley for being named the ESCANABA Sailor of the Quarter. SK1 Woodley does a tremendous job onboard the ship ensuring that all our supplies and equipment are ordered and delivered on time. SK1 is known to regularly make trips to the store after work hours to pick up much needed supplies and equipment. There is not a department or division onboard that has not benefited from SK1 Woodley’s willingness to help out and his effectiveness at getting the job done.

Another congratulations needs to go out to SN Joseph Milner. SN Milner was the winner of this quarter’s Ray O’Malley award. The Ray O’Malley award is a quarterly award that is given to the deck department seaman who exhibits the highest level of honor, devotion to duty and seamanship aboard ESCANABA. The award is named in honor of Ray O’Malley who passed away on March 9th. Mr. O’Malley had been the last survivor of the sinking of the original ESCANABA (WPG-77) in 1943.

Shout Outs



Katie, Shawn, and Kevin,
I hope you enjoy Florida and that by the time you get back to Boston Spring will have arrived!
~Dad

Rose Klein and my Minot Beach Buddies,
Thanks for being such a good friend, I’ll see you and everyone from the Minot Beach gang soon.
~Commander

To my family,
No matter where I go, there you are in my thoughts, prayers and dreams.
~OSC "Buff" LeBoeuf

Nicki,
The first month of our marriage has been nothing less than amazing. Who needs the extra $600 in BAH, when I got a wonderful wife waiting at home for me. No, but seriously, the extra 600 bucks rocks huh? PBJ
~Robbie

To Pippy, Sugar T., Hi-ME, and Fuzz,
You guys are pretty much stuck with me forever, so deal with it. But seriously, it's an honor to be in your family, I feel like I fit right in.
Your new son, ~Robbie

To everyone who didn't get a shout-out,
This is for you, that’s it, bye.
~Robbie

Dawn - I miss you very much. I can't wait to be back home with you.
Nicole - I heard about your 100% in English - great job!
Beanie - You'll be able to see daddy on the computer again in a few days.
Emmy - Hey little one!
Muki - Don't be jumping up on the counter. That food's for the people.
Love, ~Chris

Hey Mom and Dad,
How is the weather in Pennsylvania? It’s sunny and 76 degrees today…. again. Miss you guys and I’ll see you in Miami for the wedding.
~Preston

Hey Amanda, lil Justin, Amy and Alexis,
Luv and miss you.
~Paul/Daddy

I love you mom,
~Zack

Hey Belly,
Second week underway. Miss you all. Give a kiss to Lani and Lilly for me. I love you, see you soon.
~Elvis

Hi Katie,
Love and miss you, and can’t wait to be home.
~Daniel

Hey Jennie,
I thought I would write you a little something to tell you how much I love you and that you mean the world to me. I am so happy that you are in my life. My day gets brighter everyday closer to being with you. I can’t wait till May 9th of next year when I can call you my wife. Every bad day I have I think of you and it makes me smile. I hope that your time while I’m gone is going well. Just remember that you the only one for me. I love you so much.
Love, ~Tommy

Hey Mom and dad and Family,
Hope everything is well and things are good. I can’t wait to come home. Miss you all.
Love you, ~Billy

Hey Ma,
I love you.
~Phillips

Jeannie,
Love ya Babe!! Miss U Tons
~Jeremy Perkins

Sarina,
I love you and I miss you so much, I am doing great and I can’t wait to see you.
~Love Tommy

Jenn, Grant, Mom, and Dad,
I Miss and Love You all, especially my little wild monkey man! I will see you all soon. Grant you better keep practicing at Mario Kart cause you know what's gonna happen when I get home! O YA, Big Trophy! I am thinking of you all always!
~Greg

Amanda, Blake & Derek,
Daddy misses you and can not wait to get home!!!! Keep up the GREAT work in school. Good Luck in Lacrosse and Tee Ball. Love,
~Daddy

My Sole Mate Suzie Q,
Thank You for being the Best Mother, Wife, Friend and my Sole Mate!!!
Love Ya, ~DJ

Mom, Marvy and Granda D,
Can't wait until next inport to come home and see everyone!!! Things are going good.
Love, ~Darren

Dad & Jo,
Just a couple more months and we will be back to the Midwest to visit!! Can't wait.
Love, ~Darren

Photos

CDR Sabellico rolls up his sleeves to try to catch a little sun on the bridge wing.

Members of the crew gather for a brief prior to completing pepper spray training.

Crew members try to recover after being pepper sprayed before leaving Mayport, FL.

SN Darling gets help from a shipmate after completing his pepper spray training.

YN1 Gustafson flies through the air and completes a perfect dive.

A shot of the Helo from above.

MK3 McDowell, DC1 Hooper, DC2 Morgan and FN Armes (from left to right) ponder a question during helo familiarization training.

MK3 McDowell, FN Armes look on as Steve Kouritch talks about the helo.

SN Phillips tries to subdue SN Milner during pepper spray training.

MKC Galvin struts through the 105 degree heat of the engine room.

Steve Kouritch, ET2 Lawrence, FN Richards and SK3 Ficara pose in front of the helo during swim call.

Guys line up to take the plunge into the water during swim call.

MK3 Lund smiles as he is surprised by the camera in the engine room.

ENS Paarlberg jumps from the flight deck during quarters.

SN Milner fends off FA Arus during pepper spray training.

LT Mike Hennessy oversees the bridge during a hot afternoon watch.

Crewmembers relax on the fantail picnic table in between boat lowering evolutions.

The ship's First Lieutenant, Operations Officer and Captain lounge in chairs during swim call.

BM3 Powell treads water and smiles for the camera while participating in swim call.

SN Rabbit peers through the big eyes during watch.

SN Ramos flexes for the camera.

BM3 Higgins shields himself from the sun while ET3 Hernandez rolls up his sleeves to try to catch some rays.

The ship's boat crew mans the OTH during swim call, ready to help if need be.

BM2 Burke acts as coxswain and takes the OTH for a little spin.

LT Hennessy looks out over the horizon while on watch.