Week 6 was a great fresh start after the crew departed their final port call of the patrol, Grand Cayman. There was a change in the leadership onboard with the arrival of our new executive officer, LCDR Driscoll, and our new supply officer, CWO Davis!

The crew enjoyed the fun and sun in Grand Cayman, taking full advantage of its diving, crystal sand beaches and stingrays! Key West is quickly approaching the horizon and the crew is excited about finishing the patrol out strong.

Due to upcoming readiness assessments, the crew has trained consistently throughout the patrol. This week was no different with an afternoon of general quarters simulating responding to a hostile air contact. Later on the crew set general emergency and simulated putting out multiple fires throughout the ship.

The ship conducted a .50 caliber gun shoot and about 20 crewmembers had a chance at taking aim. GM1 Whanger and GM3 Bear trained and supervised the entire evolution and did an excellent job working with the crew. We still believe GM1 Whanger left his initials carved in the floating tree stump that was used as a target, pretty impressive!

That’s all she wrote, folks! We’ll see you next week!

Photos

The crew putting over the brow in George Town, Grand Cayman

LCDR Driscoll greeting his new crew with a helping hand

All hands doing what they can to help

Sunset in Grand Cayman

MK2 Birbal and BM2 Torres taking in some sun!

Some of the avdet making themselves at home

SN Garmon preparing for the .50 caliber gunnery exercises

GM1 Whanger reviewing the afternoon’s drill

The bridge team monitoring the evolution

SN Wetta and ET2 Mikelaitis watching the other shooters

CDR Nieves enjoying the demise of one very large tree stump during the gunnery exercise