As the time progresses the weeks seem to blend into one another and it seems incredible that we are already finishing the 4th week of our patrol. Walking around the ship and talking to the crew you can tell that people are beginning to look towards the end of the patrol. There is a lot more talk about being back in Boston, divisions are beginning to look ahead and planning work lists for the inport, and long weekends and days of leave are being planned by crewmembers. In all reality, there’s still a lot of patrol left but try telling that to someone who has an optimistic mind and someone back home waiting for them. We recently celebrated the middle day of the patrol and was thus dubbed 'hump day'. Holiday routine was granted (meaning it was not a work day) and a movie was shown on the ship's flight deck in the evening. As you will see from our pictures, a few members of the crew even took it upon themselves to create a modified version of homerun derby, which is sure to provide entertainment for upcoming patrols.

As I'm sure you have noticed by now, it seems as though we are always doing one sort of training or another, and this week was no exception. Each and everyday (with the exception of Wednesday) we took a few hours to do some training with the crew ranging everywhere from Law Enforcement Training, Boat Crew Training and BECCE's to General Military Training (GMT) focusing on life skills, relationship counseling, and emergency help centers.

Monday's Law Enforcement training was led by LTJG Kurczewski and ENS Tesler. They covered topics such as the different levels of force that the Coast Guard employs, escorting, frisking and different types of searches. Some of this was old hat to our more experienced members, but as a whole this provided very valuable training on situations that our young boarding team members are likely to find themselves in during the upcoming months. We also spent a few afternoons doing training with the small boats, practicing making approaches, raising and lowering the small boats, and operating the davits.

As a final note I do have to mention that here on ESCANABA we have found ourselves a patrol mascot, in the form of a bird. For the last two weeks we have been followed by what our lookouts swear is the same bird. They have even named him Fredrick. Fredrick follows the ship all day long, diving for fish, and much to our Captain's dismay, providing hours of distracting entertainment to the lookouts. Due to the popular demand of the lookouts, Fredrick the Bird has earned himself a very prestigious spot in this week's photographs.

This week we are highlighting the support department. SK1 Kurt Woodley (think most recent sailor of the quarter) has provided us with a brief summary of what the support department does for the ship.

"The Support Department onboard ESCANABA is comprised of four different ratings. The Health Service Technician, or Corpsman, onboard is responsible for the health and safety of all our shipmates onboard. "Doc" routinely gives training to the crew on everything from Basic First Aid to Communicable Diseases. The Admin staff consists of YN1 Gustafson and his striker, SN Hicks. On a daily basis, they handle pay issues, travel orders, awards and advancements for everyone onboard. Being that this is "transfer season" for the entire Coast Guard, they are extremely busy and doing a great job. The Food Service Specialists, or cooks, onboard are always under the microscope. Feeding 100 people four times a day is a hard job. Some of the meals they have prepared in recent days have included BBQ Beef Ribs, Prime Rib and Lobster Tails with Sautéed Shrimp. With the busy operational missions we are consistently performing, these guys stay with it and always find a way to come through with a delicious and healthy meal for the crew. The Supply division onboard consists of the four Storekeepers currently assigned. They are busy pulling parts, ordering parts to meet us in foreign ports to fix unexpected casualties and arranging for the cutter's services upon arrival in foreign ports. In a few weeks, the SK's will be swamped with orders from the cutter to purchase parts and materials for the repair and maintenance of the cutter as ESCANABA begins an inport that will be filled with work and preparation for the next patrol. Finally, the Support Department is brought together by its department head, Chief Warrant Officer Goodson. CWO Goodson is on his final patrol with ESCANABA and has been a great leader to the members of the Support Department. We all thank him for his hard work and for taking good care of his department."

Shout Outs


Shawn, Kevin, and Katie
I love and miss you all…this is my last trip!
~Love Dad


To the Minot Beach Gang
Get those cocktails ready – those summer beach days are just around the corner.
~All My Best, Commander


Mom and Dad
Can you believe I’m almost done? I still remember walking into Chase Hall on Dad’s birthday almost 24 years ago!
~Love, Mike


To the most beautiful, understanding, and generous wife, Please send more money; I spent my allotted funds at the last portcall at a place I can't remember.
Love your always grateful husband, ~Robbie 2


Dear Jaime,
I have just the guy for you, and he's nothing like the previous two.
~Robbie 2


Dear Mom, Victoria, and Andrea,
I love you guys and I'll be home in July Love,
~Robbie 2


Nicole, Beanie, and Emmy,
I'm coming home real soon. I'll bring some souveniers. I miss you all.
Love, ~Chris/Daddy


Dawn,
Love you, miss you, can't wait to kiss you.
Love, ~Chris


Hi Nai,
Big Daddy's almost home, get your boyfriend out of the house!!
Love you

Preston, Hope you are enjoying reading this from Boston.

Hey Ash,
I miss you and I love you. I'll be home soon! Can't wait to see you again!
~Eric


Hey Belli,
Can't want to get home to see how many animals you inherited. Keep paying the bills! Tell everyone I said Hi!
Love You,
~Jay


Kate,
Way to go, congratulations on your graduation.
Love,
~Big Brother

Julie,
Keep up the good work, I'll see a Red Sox vs. Yankees game in the future.
Love,
~Big Bro


Mom and Dad,
Look how green the green the lawn is, I think I can see it from here.
Love,
~Me


Hi Boobie!
I love you so much and I'm letting all of the Coast Guard know it. I can't wait to get home and spend everyday with you.
Your Monkeyhead


Hey Mom and Dad,
Love you guys so much. BYE!!!
~Phillips


Mom, Dad, Ciara & Bri,
Almost done. I can't wait to finally come home I miss you all tons. Stephen I'm psyched for you to finally meet my baby.
Love,
~Paul


Grant, Jenn, Mom and dad,
I moss you love you all. Only a few short weeks left and I think of you all daily. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again soon.
Love,
~Greg


Hey Kat,
How's the two little rugrats doin? I'm Keepin myself busy so the patrol goes by a little faster, but I can't wait to come home! I Love you so much, be safe and I'll see you before you know it!
~Aaron

Photos

CDR Sabellico works out on the treadmill.

LTJG Kurczewski instructs during LE training.

BM3 Higgins, SN Dara and BM2 Milliken practice Law Enforcement techniques

ET3 Bowen and ET3 Hernandez practice escorting each other.

BM3 Powell and BM3 Leger read from the manual during LE training.

OS2 Silva cracks a smile during training.

OS2 Silva is escorted by SA Heald.

SN Darling learns from LTJG Kurczewski.

ENS Tesler instructs FN Richards and FN Toval

FN Toval and FN Richards during LE training.

BM3 Powell drops to his knees during training.

Crewmembers gather around and watch some of the more experienced members teach techniques.

"Fredrick" the bird soars through the sky during one of his many days following the ship.

SN Goodleigh shows just how nimble he is as the climbs up to the focsle.

SN Rabbit and FN Rendon preparing to work.

SN Goodleigh sands prior to painting.

SN Goodleigh, BM3 Leger, SN Milner and SN Rabbit take a moment to discuss their project.

BM2 Milliken, BM2 Burke and SN Jones (in the background) play a little homerun derby on the flight deck.

SN Yancy and FN Toval workout in the Helo hanger.

OS1 Stravinsky poses against the sunset.

CWO Goodson lounges in the late afternoon.

MK2 Morris acts as a break-in boat engineer.

The small boat being lowered into the water.

SN Phillips attempts to hook up the sea painter.

LTJG Kurczewski practices using a sextant.

SN Heaton shields his eyes against the sun.

SN Leger, SN Phillips, SN Loiselle, BM2 Milliken, and MK3 Cylkowski in the OTH.