Posted on 08/16/2002 2:53:40 AM PDT by Snow Bunny
Sam this is a good one.
Good to see you again !
A young Afghan girl named Hatira, 7, plays catch on the sidelines of a boys' league baseball game, Friday, Aug. 16, 2002 in Orgun, 190 kilometers, 120 miles, south of Kabul near the Pakistan border. Hatira was the first girl to come to the baseball practices and is the only one with her own glove and ball. The U.S. Special Forces who coach the boys hope to eventually set up a girls league with growing interest from Afghan youth. U.S. soldiers are in the background.(AP Photo/Wally Santana
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Well, I've got to get my Sailor some food. He's actually doing something for America today!LOL! Be back later!!
ROTFL
Thanks for the laughter and smile!
Souris you are a genius with your graphics and a well deserved Canteen Graphic Award!
You all may not know me,but from lurking I know you all and am very fond of each one of you.Thank you !
Hey Cote see my Eh? heh heh
The Patriots of VAQ-140 have returned to their families and friends after a deployment that lasted 6 1/2 months on aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). There were many tearful reunions at the fly-in on Wednesday and at yesterday's airlifts.
Left in February
The squadron left in early February after an accelerated work-up period following the tragic events of Sept. 11. The entire squadron transferred from Whidbey Island to Mayport, Fla., and took their place on JFK.
After a week of carrier qualifications and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), the JFK turned east and began the transit to the Mediterranean Sea. Although no flight ops during the Atlantic crossing made for long days, it gave the Patriots time to settle into their new homes and work centers on board ship.
Into the Mediterranean
After completing the long transit, JFK finally passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean Sea. Several days of flight operations were accomplished before JFK pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, for two days of liberty.
Putting some relaxation in Souda Bay behind them, the Patriots and the JFK Battle Group began the final leg of the journey to the Arabian Sea. The first hurdle to cross was passage through the Suez Canal. Transit was completed without incident and with some amazement. A bridge spanning the canal had been completed since the last time many of the veteran Sailors had been through the "ditch" which attracted many spectators as JFK gracefully sailed beneath.
JFK entered the Red Sea and began turnover with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). This process took two days to complete after which the Patriots were ready to take their turn standing the watch.
Operation Enduring Freedom
JFK and Carrier Air Wing Seven began the line period in the Arabian Sea by assuming night operations, leaving daytime ops to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). All personnel onboard JFK changed their schedule to accommodate this shift to "vampire ops."
After a month conducting dual carrier operations, Vinson left the operating area to return home, leaving JFK as the only carrier on station with the Patriots comprising the sole electronic attack asset in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
The Patriots flew daily over Afghanistan. On many occasions, the squadron was called upon to provide jamming support for specific ground operations that often caused a delay in ship's movement or required the flight deck to be operated late into the night. Patriot maintainers worked arduous hours to maintain around-the-clock alert aircraft. The heat and humidity was severe, and a Herculean effort was required to accomplish the mission.
As the only Prowler assets in-theatre, alert launches served to highlight the importance of the EA-6B in OEF. At the beginning of July, after four months on station, the Patriots detached three aircraft to Qatar to cover OEF electronic attack requirements so that JFK could pull into port for some much-needed liberty and repairs.
Patriots Growing People
Despite the long days of labor supporting operational commitments, the Patriots managed to dedicate significant efforts to improve themselves. Out of the March exam cycle, nine Airmen were advanced to Petty Officer Third Class, and an equal number of more senior Patriots moved on to the greater responsibility of Second and First Class Petty Officers.
In addition, Patriot Sailors led by AZ1(AW/SW) Gus Langworthy achieved 48 warfare specialist qualifications, including 17 Sailors who achieved the impressive feat of dual warfare designation.
As deployment entered August, results of the Chief Petty Officer Selection Board were published. Patriot Commanding Officer Cmdr. Steve Kochman had the honor of informing AME1(AW) Ben Dickey of his selection to wear the anchors of a Chief Petty Officer.
Ports of Call
The Patriots saw far fewer ports than in previous deployments. Operational requirements and force protection measures restricted where JFK could visit.
While meeting its commitments, the ship visited Bahrain once and Jebel Ali twice. The second trip into Jebel Ali was made without many of the Patriots who were detached to Qatar. Wet bulb temperatures in Jebel rose to 140 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and detachment personnel were faring the same in Qatar.
After leaving the heat and sand of the Middle Eastern operating areas and proceeding back into the Mediterranean Sea on the way home, the Patriots were able to pull into Marmaris, Turkey, and Tarragona, Spain. Both ports were excellent and gave the Patriots a chance for a well-deserved break.
Turkey offered excellent shopping for leather and rugs, as well as beautiful beaches and great food. Spain provided fantastic sight seeing opportunities in Tarragona and nearby Barcelona. Many Patriots took advantage of MWR tours that featured trips to ruins, scuba diving and other activities.
Return Home
After Tarragona, the Patriots and JFK Battle Group started the final part of deployment: the journey home. The return trip across the Atlantic seemed to take forever because of our eagerness to get home.
The jets flew off a day before JFK reached Norfolk, Va. While the rest of CVW-7 debarked in Norfolk, the main body of the Patriots boarded their flights back to the beautiful Northwest.
Some of the Patriots remained on board JFK for her journey to Mayport, taking advantage of the opportunity to take their loved ones on a "Tiger Cruise."
All of the Patriots would like to thank their families and friends back home for all the support we received on deployment. Care packages, letters and email from home were instrumental to ease the burden of a rigorous combat deployment. Your contributions to our deployment were invaluable and cruise would've been much harder without them.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ hug }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Bunny said this is how to do a hug that lasts awhile.
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