Our first deployment ended up being a short one, no complaining here. The CURTIS WILBUR's mission was to be a moving target for attack helicopters. This was part of their certification process and intended to keep the pilots sharp. There were some additional safety precautions added to the daily routine.
The helicopters would be using lasers to simulate the firing of anti-ship missiles. If the laser reflected back off a radar dish positioned on the flight deck then they scored a hit. These lasers are quite powerful though, so all none essential personnel were ordered to stay inside the ship. Anyone looking directly into the laser would be blinded. The watch standers on the bridge were handed special glasses, all other portals were covered.
The weather ended up taking a turn for the worse with eight foot waves at one point. As I was informed, this is fairly typical weather for this time of year in Japan. I started to feel sea sick again after a few days. With the weather conditions continuing to worsen, the mission was called off. On a brighter note I got the chance to observe operations in Command and Control (CIC). I am thinking hard about qualifying to stand watches in CIC since I am no longer medically qualified to be the Helicopter Control Officer.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Sea Trials
With all the stores loaded on board it was time to start prepping for our sea trials. I did not have a large part to play in the next few days, since I do not have the technical expertise to manage most of the ship's equipment and systems. I know many of our systems were repaired and upgraded. The crew needed to prove that we could still function under all conditions so there were many drills to perform, that meant meetings and extra training.
The CURTIS WILBUR left port at the end of the month and stayed out at sea for several days. Most of the tests performed during that time went smoothly. I was just glad to be back out at sea actually doing something that seemed worthwhile. Our last few days were spent loading ammunition and weapons.
The last night out at sea was a somber one, one of the Officers would be leaving the ship upon our return to port. We had a small celebration in the wardroom and gifts were exchanged. I was sad to see him go, he had offered me advice and encouragement during my first few months on the ship. After the ceremony was over I had a shift as Officer of the Deck (OOD) on the bridge. Although I had stood OOD many times before in port this was the first time I was standing it underway on the bridge. This meant I was the senior Officer in charge of maintaining a lookout. Luckily it turned out to be a boring watch, this was one time I was not looking for any excitement.
The CURTIS WILBUR left port at the end of the month and stayed out at sea for several days. Most of the tests performed during that time went smoothly. I was just glad to be back out at sea actually doing something that seemed worthwhile. Our last few days were spent loading ammunition and weapons.
The last night out at sea was a somber one, one of the Officers would be leaving the ship upon our return to port. We had a small celebration in the wardroom and gifts were exchanged. I was sad to see him go, he had offered me advice and encouragement during my first few months on the ship. After the ceremony was over I had a shift as Officer of the Deck (OOD) on the bridge. Although I had stood OOD many times before in port this was the first time I was standing it underway on the bridge. This meant I was the senior Officer in charge of maintaining a lookout. Luckily it turned out to be a boring watch, this was one time I was not looking for any excitement.
Stores Onload
After about three months of refurbishing the CURTIS WILBUR is back in fighting shape. It was getting really boring there during the last month or so. Going to work evey day knowing your ship is stuck in port with nothing to look forward to except the ringing of hammers and welding all day. It was actually beginning to feel like a regular 8 to 5 kind of job.
The first problem to overcome before going underway was provisioning the ship. Since going into SRA, the crew had been subsisting off the base galley. We needed food and supplies in mass quantities. That meant a large amount of time and manpower was spent in working parties moving and onloading stores. I tried to help as much as I could. Officers are supposed to "supervise" the work, I do not agree with that particular viewpoint. I got right in the middle of the working party and started moving boxes.
Since coming on board I have noticed a certain disparity between the junior enlisted and the khakis (Chiefs and Officers). I can understand that senior personell have more important management aspects to take care of on the ship, but does that mean we are not allowed to pitch in on the physical aspects every once in a while? If I want to scrub a wall or join a working party, I really do not see any problems with doing so. I have never been one to stand around and watch others work, that seems wrong to me. Being told several times now that "khakis" do not do that type of work is infuriating.
After we finished with the provisons for food service, we moved on to various items for the ship's store. This onload was more interesting, the items for the ship's store have to be watched a little more carefully. There is only so much you can do with frozen vegetables or chicken but cans of soda and candy bars are a different story. Luckily the crew was good about getting the job done and I did not have the problems I was worried about. They actually kept reminding each other not to do anything questionable. I really appreciated their effort and honesty. Being able to work alongside them and share in the dynamic gave me an appreciation of how hard they toil each and every day.
The first problem to overcome before going underway was provisioning the ship. Since going into SRA, the crew had been subsisting off the base galley. We needed food and supplies in mass quantities. That meant a large amount of time and manpower was spent in working parties moving and onloading stores. I tried to help as much as I could. Officers are supposed to "supervise" the work, I do not agree with that particular viewpoint. I got right in the middle of the working party and started moving boxes.
Since coming on board I have noticed a certain disparity between the junior enlisted and the khakis (Chiefs and Officers). I can understand that senior personell have more important management aspects to take care of on the ship, but does that mean we are not allowed to pitch in on the physical aspects every once in a while? If I want to scrub a wall or join a working party, I really do not see any problems with doing so. I have never been one to stand around and watch others work, that seems wrong to me. Being told several times now that "khakis" do not do that type of work is infuriating.
After we finished with the provisons for food service, we moved on to various items for the ship's store. This onload was more interesting, the items for the ship's store have to be watched a little more carefully. There is only so much you can do with frozen vegetables or chicken but cans of soda and candy bars are a different story. Luckily the crew was good about getting the job done and I did not have the problems I was worried about. They actually kept reminding each other not to do anything questionable. I really appreciated their effort and honesty. Being able to work alongside them and share in the dynamic gave me an appreciation of how hard they toil each and every day.
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