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Welcome Aboard The CGC Escanaba

Counter – Narcotics Deployment - Week 6

We join the crew of the Cutter Escanaba underway on a six week Counter – Narcotics deployment to the Caribbean.

ENS Jacob Paarlberg will be keeping us up-to-date during this voyage with weekly updates. So check back each week to see what it is like to be aboard a Coast Guard Cutter underway on a Counter – Narcotics Deployment.

The Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, homeported in Boston, MA.

Catchin' Up

Hello and welcome to another week with ESCANABA. As we all know Sunday was Mother’s Day and since I have been on board I have rarely seen the crew more united around one thing. These guys love their Mothers! On board Escanaba we have men and women from all across the country. From California to Maine, Washington State to Florida, and everywhere in between including Indiana and Kentucky. With this wide geographic range comes an immense diversity of backgrounds and opinions. Sports are a favorite point of contention on board, clothing styles, accents, different word usage (soda vs. pop) are close runners up. Then there is always politics and religion to really get people riled. However, the two thing everyone onboard agrees on are mothers and Mother’s Day. In the past week I have received more shoutout’s and notes home to mothers than I ever imagined possible. My typical 10-12 notes home has now tripled in size due to Mother’s day. As tough and grown up as these men and women on board try to be, when it comes down to it they all have that soft spot for their Mother.

This has been a week of transition for the crew as we concluded our primary anti-narcotics mission and began the voyage home. The end of the week finds us nearing Key West for one final stop and refuel before we say goodbye to the Caribbean and hello to our families. The excitement and anticipation has been building around the ship as the patrol ends, but we are by no means done. Next week promises to be filled with training as we try to finish qualifying our Landing Signals Officers (LSOs). This will call for flight training with multiple air stations along the way home. Despite having a helo on board for the duration of the patrol we still need more evolutions. It is important that our LSOs have experience with a variety of airframes. So while they are very experienced working with the HH-68, they still need time with the HH-65 and HH-60.

This past week was filled with close calls and false alarms. Upon returning to our operating area from our last port the Operations Officer, Lt. Hennessy, spent more than a few tense hours looking over all our available information to figure out whether we would make our next scheduled port call, or go somewhere else instead. Meanwhile the rest of the crew spent their time spreading rumors about where we were going. Guantanamo Bay, Cuba was being tossed around a lot, while the thought of going to Mayport, FL again had people up in arms. Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina were a little more obscure, but definitely caught people’s attention. As it turns out we made it to Key West for a little rest and relaxation as planned.

Much of this week was spent in transit, either from St. Thomas to our operating area or from our operating area to Key West. When time permitted we stopped for as much boat crew training as possible. As is the case with the LSOs the upcoming transfer season is fast approaching and we wanted to look ahead to ensure we had enough qualified personnel for the job. Part of the boat crew included doing a pyro shoot from the water. About 20 crew members jumped into the ocean and swam, what seemed to the swimmers, to be an incredibly far distance. They then practiced basic survival techniques and lighting off emergency flares. Following the boat crew training the ship took advantage of the gorgeous weather to fit in one last swim call. Friday evening into Saturday afternoon provided us with some of the nicest weather of the patrol. On Friday evening the Captain’s cigar lounge was concluded with one of those sunsets that make all the days at sea worth it. This brought us into Saturday when the ocean was flat and smooth as glass all day long. Holiday routine was granted to all hands allowing the crew time to hang outside and collect some rays. It would be a far stretch of the imagination to ever consider this patrol a vacation for anyone involved, however one does have to recognize that the sights we have seen and the places we have visited are things that most vacationers pay thousands of dollars to see.

Shout Outs

Katie
Hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day! I love and Miss You…
~me

Shawn and Kevin
Keep working hard in school and on your Little League Team. When I get home we’ll play everyday in the backyard!
Love
~Dad

Minot Beach Gang
One more week…see you all soon.
~Commander

Mom
Happy Mothers Day - You are a fantastic Mom!
Love
~Mike

My Suzi Q;
Happy Mothers Day!!!!! You are the Best Mother and I am the luckiest husband. Only a few more days now!!!
All My Love
~DJ

Mom and Grandma D,
Happy Mother’s day to the both of you. Another trip almost done and back with the family. Will see you a little over a month!!!!
Love
~Darren

Jo,
Happy Mother’s day to you. Will see you in a few weeks, we cannot wait.
Love
~Darren

To Belly,
You have no idea how much I miss you and the girls. I can't wait to get back home to hug and kiss you all. This past few weeks has allowed me to think about my life and family, and I realize that I really can't be without you. When I get back home it will be a new me, a new life, and we will have new love and happiness in our home. I love you mami, give a kiss to the girls for me, and keep counting down those days.
See you soon,
~Tu Papi.

Belly,
Happy Mother’s Day. Sorry I won’t be around. But I will make it up to you.
I love you,
~Elvis

Dearest Skylar, Mason, and of course, my little A:
I am still out on the ship, and working hard. Not a single day goes by where I don't think about you. I hope to see you just as soon as I can, and I promise we are going to have tons of fun! I can't wait to go to your baseball games, either. I know you will do very well.
Love you all,
~Daddy

Dear Nicki,
I'll be home in a week.......so you're gonna have to kick Carl Edwards out, sorry. Love you muchly.
PBJ
Robbie2

Dear Mom,
Happy Mother’s Day- Sorry I can’t be there for it, but I’ll be home soon and will see you then. Tell everyone I said I love them
Love,
~Billy

Mom and Christina,
Happy Mother’s Day to my 2 favorite mothers. I am looking forward to seeing both of you soon.
Give Pib a Kiss for me.
Love,
Joe

Dear Mom,
Happy Mother’s Day.
Yeah, that’s all I got.
Love,
Robbie II

Dear Lauri (a.k.a. Sugar T___)
Happy Mothers Day!!!
Love,
Robbie II

Happy Mother’s Day!
See you Soon.
Love,
Brian

Happy Mother’s Day babe,
Happy B-Day Tayness

Happy Mother’s Day Sheryll & Mom!
Love and Miss you!
Tisoy

Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you for all your support during this patrol. I miss you all very much.
~Trav
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day from Underway
Love,
~Richard Rendon

Mom,
Wish I could be there with you on your day, but I will be home soon enough.
Love,
~Andrew

Happy Mother’s Day Sharon, Mom and Sandra,
Thank you for all your Do,
~Steve

Erik & Sam,
I’ll be home soon, can’t wait.
Love,
Dad

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
Check your email for a sweet Mother’s Day E-card.
Hope to see you soon.
Love,
Preston

Mom and Dad,
Thanks for taking care of OBI all this time. I’ll be home soon to take him off your hands. I’m sure Furball and Scout will like to see him go.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Love,
~Mike

Hey Ma,
I love you so much and can’t wait to see you in a few days. We will finally get a girls weekend together!
Happy Mother’s Day.
Love, ~Bean

Dad, Dave, Grandma and Grandpa,
Have fun in Texas, wish I could be there! Congrats on so many year together G&G. I miss you all. Dave, Hope to see you soon, please come see me in Boston!
Love,
Bean

Happy Mother’s Day, Ma!
Love,
Squishy

Mom, Dad, and Carrie,
See you soon!

Ku’uipo,
Did you bring a hat? Wear a hat.
Ti Amo

Lorraine,
With all that’s gone on in the past,
I consider you to be my mother and I wanted to wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day.
Lots of love,
Pete

Denyell,
We always wanted a big family and now we have one. The only thing missing is us together raising that family. I think of you every day and I am grateful and blessed to have a wife who can raise a family and deal with me almost never being home. You are a beautiful, wonderful woman and I LOVE you very much.
See you soon!! I can’t wait to make up for lost time!!
Happy Mother’s Day
Love,
Pete

Sarina,
I am doing great. I can’t wait to see you and I am so proud of everything you do. I love you and I’ll see you soon.
Love your truly,
Tommy D

Ashley,
I love you so much. I can’t wait to see you again. It will be great to be home again.
Mauh,
Eric

To my family
I can't wait to see all of you, it's been too long. Pete get the jeep ready! Jon & Dad, work on those tee shots. You short ball hitters have some work to do! Love you Mom, Happy Mothers Day! Hi to Reese, Teri and Mary too, Love all of you.
~Kevin

To my friends
"Uncle" Kev is looking forward to meeting the new additions to the family. Fellas, put some brewskies on ice and get permission to come out to play!
~Kevin

To Heidi
Thank you for two wonderful weeks, they went by way too fast. I missed you the moment I left and can't wait to be with you again. Love you Pea!

Kelli,
Thank you for being so very patient with me not being able to tell you much on my first patrol, I'll be home before you know it and we can celebrate our one year anniversary. I PROMISE! Be good be safe and have some cold beer in the fridge for me and my new friends on here! C-ya soon. I Love Ya!
~Jay

Mom,
Just wanted to wish you a Happy Mother's Day! You can thank Dad for telling me not to send you flowers this year, even though you women hang them upside down fifteen minutes after you get them... anyway just wanted to let you know you have been the best mother by far in comparison to all other's I've had the privilege of meeting! Stay cool stay true and remember I'll always love ya! You're the best!
Love,
Jason

Dad, Mike, Josh, Chad, Jess, Dad-in-law, Mom-in-law,
Just didn't want you all to think I forgot about you. Be home before you know it. Hope all is well and I'll see you all soon.
Your favorite,
Jason

Escanaba Crew,
No one ever sends a shout out to the crew onboard. So I will! Just wanted to say what's up to all on the best 270' in the fleet! Also, to all of you leaving, fair winds and following seas. Don't ever forget the shipmates you have worked with thus far on the Escanaba. To all who are staying onboard...hoorah! That's all, thanks!

Hey Mom,
Sorry I wasn't home for your Birthday, I'll be home soon enough to make it up to you! Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day Ma, I miss you a lot and I can't wait to come home and see you and the rest of the family.
Love Always,
~Aaron

Hey Pops, so I missed your Birthday to, huh, well I guess when I get home Kat and I will take you and mom out some place special. I can't wait to come home; we'll definitely be going to a couple Red Sox Games. You know what you need, a set of Clubs, so you can hit up the Links with me and Nick when we go!
See ya soon Dad,
Love,
~Aaron

Hey there pretty girl, I miss you a lot, and I can't wait for Vegas! Oh, and your Hott!
Love Forever and Always,
~The Barber

My Dawn,
Happy Mothers’ Day. Thank you for being such a wonderful mother to our children. I can’t wait to see you.
Your DH, Chris

Hey there BJ, Brian, Bran, Katie and the rest of the Matunuck Crew, I hope all is well and I'll be seeing each and everyone of you real soon! Lots of Love,
~Aaron
*Happy Mother's Day BJ*

What's up Sarah, Happy Mother's Day! Give Aidan and Connor big hugz and kisses for me, tell Nick it's on at the Links, and I'll see you soon!
Luvz,
~Aaron

Hey Jeremy, How's Feehan? You still the school pimp? Haha, I know you are, just like your big brother, j/k, how's lacrosse going? The last time I saw you play you throat chopped the kid with your stick, and pushed another kid for talking smack. Keep it up big guy see you soon lil' brother, and I hope your practicing bowling and everything else because I'm going to challenge you in everything as soon as I get back to prove to you that the Big Brother's always win!
See ya man,
Love,
Aaron