You Want Me To Do What...?

0430: "Reveille! Reveille! All hands heave out! UNREP gear will be issued at 0515."

A steady stream of sailors pour from the inside of the ship donned in lifejackets, hard hats, and chem lights (glow sticks). We are headed to man our stations as part of the underway replenishment (UNREP) detail. It's so windy topside, I'm getting blown off balance and the sea spray wets my face. Most of what I see are figures lit only chem lights, scurrying about the deck to prep for the upcoming event.

Underway replenishments are one of the most dangerous evolutions we perform.We have to get into what we call 'battle dress' in which watches, rings, and dangly things are to be removed, sleeves are rolled up, and pant legs tucked into our boots.

Off in the distance a glimpse of our supply ship can be seen. The ship will replenish our inventory of fuel, food, repair parts, mail, and other goods. Our helicopters can airlift pallets of supplies from ship to ship, but fuel lines must be brought over by other means; man power. (This is the part of being a sailor that the recruiter fails to mention...) Along with about 15 other sailors, I will be responsible for hoisting a fuel line from the supply ship to our ship. Practical and simple enough in theory, but in reality its a game of tug of war with Goliath.

The task is initiated when both ships give the ready sign. they aling themselves so they are traveling at the exact same speed, totally parallel from each other with noly about 300 ft between themselves. Doing so causeing a strong current in the water that seperates the two. The pilots and their team of navigators must be extremely vigil with constan corrections in their efforst to maintain positive control. In the pilot house they are unable to see what i can see...The water below looks violetn; like a river you may fo white water rafting in. Except here, if you fall in, you drop 30 ft firts, and then get sucked under a moving naval vessel props fully engaged. (ill just let you chew on that). The sight makes us that much more apprehensive about what we are about to do.

When the ships are in place, a shot line the size of twine, is shot from one ship to the other using a modified rifle. The line is collected and pulled in by the line handlers (thats me!). The mear repitition of hand over hand movement is enough to start a burn in your shoulders, let alone the progressive weight of the line as it gets larger and stronger.

The size of the line is finally sturdy enough to handle the bulky fuel lines. From the supply ship they hook their fuel line to their end of the rope and let the fun begin! The added weight and tension is enough to get all 15 of us huffing and puffing.

With rhythmic commands of  "heave! heave! heave!" comes an agonizingly short give to our rope. Again, we heave!, heave!, heave! and our muscles protest. Fatigue is the biggest challenge, until it begins to rain. It whips our faces and slicks the rope. Tap outs become necessary to hold our ground. For a split second we lose minimal ground, but with potentially catastophic consequence. The front line handler gets danerously close to going overboard. This brings on quick fierce commands that cut through the rain and a renowned sense of 'oh shit!' felt by all. We've regained our grip physically and mentally; our tired muscles and the rain forgotten. We heave simultaneously for what seems like ages and the memory of pained muscles return.

Finally, the command to "avast!" came. It is quickly followed by the command to snap and lock the fuel line in place. It seemed a daunting task, but our mental strength, more powerful that our physical after the threat of losing a  fellow sailor, rang true. With one last perfectly synchronized heave, the fuel line was locked in! Victorious hollers from below, where the fuel line is actually connected, gave heed that we were successful. Resounding sighs of releif and grunts of triumph flared throughout us line handlers.

I want to give a shout out to all my friends who were there that day! It was crazy stressufl and unnerving task, but we came together and got the job done. Hooya!

This was a particularly stressful UNREP. We will be doing these several more times throughout deployment. Prayer is much appreciated!

NavySpeak of the Day:
Unsat; short for unsatisfactory. Used informally like slang
"The lunch menu was so unsat today!"

Relaxing in Style Down Under

So I had an absolute blast in Australia! We had a 5 hour transit up the channel to the pier we were going to moore to. An Australian, who knows the channel well, came on board to drive our ship through it. I am part of the sea and anchor detail as a line handler, so I was on the flight deck the and helped him aboard. I was on the flight deck the whole time. Until we were actually needed at the pier, we were mostly just on standby enjoying our first glimpses of Australia. Then we were responsible for tossing lines and securing the ship to the pier. There were several of my ship mates who had their families meet them in Australia. They were all waiting on the pier for them. As we pulled in we passed the carrier we've been escorting, which was moored already. We all got into formation and rendered a salute as we passed them out of respect.

It took us several hours to prep for liberty call. Our spaces had to be cleaned, trash had to be off loaded (so much trash!!!). We formed an assembly line and passed like a hundred bags down to the dumpster. Some stuff we can discard over the side of the ship as we travel, but things like plastics and metal we can't so that’s what it mostly consisted of.

It was a mad scramble to throw stuff in back packs and get off the ship when they let us leave. Australia was a liberty port for us. Which means that we got the day off as long as we weren't on duty that day. Our duty days are 24 hours and we have them 1x every 4 days. It's essentially a skeletal crew to keep the ship afloat while in port. I only had one duty day so I got a hotel with another girl for two nights. They had buses that ran to and from Brisbane or Gold Coast pretty much all day, but the initial buses we so backed up that my group decided to take a cab. We were staying in Gold Coast which was like an hour from the ship. Our taxi tab was...surprising! It was $350 Australian dollars! Ugh! We split it between 4 people and because of the exchange rate it was about $280 US dollars, but still! We just wanted to get our liberty started, so it was worth it to us.

We pulled in with an aircraft carrier with about 4000 sailors on it. My ship has about 300 people so the city was popping with sailors! We had a news segment on the local channel because of the saturation of the city with us all. Night life was incredible! There were people everywhere! It was a Friday that we pulled in and there were the local Australians out as well as over 4000 sailors who have been cooped up for a month and itching to spend their money and relax. You couldn't go to a bar that wasn't crawling with people. There were a lot of live bands and fantastic food! I was able to try kangaroo and I had the best lamb I've ever had. There was plenty of shopping and souvenir shops as well.

We spent part of an afternoon at the beach. It was winter there so the average temperature was about 65 during the day and 50 or so at night. (they use Celsius so when the taxi thermometer read 18 degrees I freaked out a little). Needless to say, I didn't go in the water, but the beach backed right up to skyscrapers and the shopping district so it was relaxing to just sit around and walk the shore and enjoy the skyline.

We also, went to a wildlife sanctuary where I got to hold a koala bear! It was so fun! He hugged me and clung right on. He was really smelly though. During the days leading up to getting to Australia the hot topic on the ship was that most koalas have chlamydia...? I didn't believe it, but the second I got a whiff of him I thought of that! Ahhh!  There were Tasmanian devils, wombats, dingos, and of course kangaroos! We were able to enter the space where they kept the kangaroos. They were very friendly and let us pet and feed them.

I wish I was able to upload some photos. We were moving from one thing to the next so fast that I couldn't hook up to wifi to download what I wanted to...I we are Facebook friends I have a few postings of the photos I took with my phone, but nothing posted that I took with a real camera. I guess there will be a cascade of photos one of these days for you to enjoy.

Australians seemed very nice. They are an English speaking country, but have different words for things. They call elevators 'lifts', parking lots are 'carparks',garbage is 'rubbish', and restrooms are just 'toilets'. They drive on the left side of the road which I never got used to. Even as a pedestrian that changes how you walk on the sidewalk and the direction you look when crossing the street. 

They welcomed the US Military. We were able to exchange memorabilia with the Australian Navy and one of the local police department. There were no major incidents and I had a great time bonding and relaxing with my shipmates. It's a strange relationship to live and work and hang out with them. It's something I was told, but I am starting to feel it's truth. I haven't spent much time on board and already I feel like I have known them so much longer.

We pulled out this morning and I am trying to get back to the grind...I have watch at 0130 and will be up all day tomorrow working and then watch from 2200-0200. Yay to jumping right back into things!! Up for 24 hours, then 4 hours of sleep, and another full day of work....ugh! I should've slept more when we were in Australia...lol

Goodnight!

A Lot of Frazzle With a Pinch of Dazzle

     I haven't written in a while for several reasons. It had been hard to find the combination of time and an available computer. Also, I just wasn't feeling up to it, honestly, the first several days at sea. I was taking in so much information I was completely exhausted come bed time. Now that I have been at sea for a couple weeks I feel like I can paint a fairer picture of my experiences.

     As we ceremoniously stood the length of the boat and pushed off the pier, I saw clusters of families embrace and disappear as we set out to sea. The goodbyes lingered as we passed the air force base and people had lined the shore waving and shouting best wishes and blessings. Our jaws were clenched a little tighter to fight back hot tears. We were now at full capacity with minds on the mission. There were seas to patrol, a country to protect, and a ship to relieve. 

    We hit the ground running with life on deployment and let me tell you, it is a fast paced world. I got lost in the mix for several days. I was feeling overwhelmed with the giant list of qualifications that were staring me in the face. I had few friends to talk to, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing at any given time, I had trouble relaxing and felt anxious all the time. I hadn't contacted home, taken anytime to myself, and the sheer number of qualifications was extremely daunting. This led to even less sleep than our schedule allowed and a recoil into a small depression. I hated life here and bitterly asked God to get me home and why He had placed me here in the first place. I had plans on turning to the Chaplain to see what my options were, though I knew they were few to none. There was absolutely no way I would be continuing this deployment or life as a sailor.

     I did end up talking to the Chaplain. However, God has other plans for me than letting me quit when things get rough. The Chaplain was able to bring me back down from the misery I was feeling. We made a manageable list of goals for the next two weeks. We prayed and he told me about the church service he was holding the following Sunday. He stressed the need to take time to myself everyday and do things unrelated to the Navy. He taught me how to be on deployment.

     Since then I have turned a corner. Trust and believe that there are times, on almost a daily basis, I feel like I can't possibly get through another day; that I've met my breaking point. But with God I can do all things. I have shifted my focus to my smaller list of goals, daily devotions, and concerning myself with how others are feeling. We are all feeling similar heartaches and are in the same boat so to speak... ;)

     The command had done a fantastic job of providing activities and distractions a few days a week to help with our moral. We have had an ice cream social and karaoke, a talent show, board games, bingo and popcorn, and we have a 'steel beach picnic' on Sunday afternoons. The grill is brought out to the flight deck for a BBQ, there is music and lawn chairs, and people bring out their fishing poles and guitars. We are able to socialize right there on the flight deck, play games, and watch the sunset. It has been something to look forward to each week and an opportunity to get to socialize and build comradery.

     Daily life is hectic, demanding, and long....My unit performs general maintenance on our system and runs through strike scenarios almost on a daily basis. As a ship we run training such as general quarters (simulated attack on the ship), man over-board drills, active shooting/anti-terrorism scenarios, medical emergencies, live fires of most of the weapons on board, and fire fighting. We train for the worst and hope for the best. In reality there are several flight ops a day as well as investigations of various contacts we monitor on a 24 hour basis, an enormous effort from the food specialist, and engineering department to keep the ship and crew running.

     We got a break from seriousness last week as we left the northern hemisphere to enter the southern hemisphere when we crossed the equator. The Navy has a tradition in which a ceremony is performed when this happens. They also have a tradition when the ship crosses the date line. We just so happened to do both at the same time! Sailors who have crossed the equator in the past are nicknamed Shellbacks and those who have not are nicknamed Pollywogs. The 'Wogs' undergo an initiation to be honored with the title of Shellback. It mainly consists of mildly embarrassing tasks including a silly uniform, a lot of singing, and a water logged obstacle course. This lasted all morning and about 150 of us not only earned our title as Shellback, but Golden Shellback for crossing both the equator and the date line at the same time. (I am now 16 hours ahead of the Central time zone).

      I will not have photos until we port. We are not allowed to insert anything into the computers on board for fear of operational security breaches.

     Thank you for your continued support, and love from afar. I'd love to hear from you all! Email, regular mail, photos, and packages are welcomed. There will be plenty of people who need a pick-me-up so if you feel so inclined to send mail to my shipmates or my entire work center please do so. Let me know if you'd like the mail to go to someone else in need and I am happy to deliver.

Lily:0, Life:1

CWIS (Sea whizz) Essentially a monster version of a Gatling gun
Capable of shooting 2,000 rounds per minute

     I'm fairly certain that I am developing a case of schizophrenia. The last week has been a case of highs and extreme lows. We had a 'family day cruise' at the beginning of the week where family members were invited to come onboard for a day at sea. It gave the ship a chance to test machinery and equipment to verify its functionality and it gave family members (and myself) a tiny taste of what their sailors' lives will be like for the next 7 months. We were able to cruise at full speed, make high speed maneuvers (like ones we would do for a man overboard), we fired several of our weapons (not mine), and were able to do several drills including a simulated helicopter casualty on our helipad (we have two helos on the ship that will be coming with us). It was amazing to see the capabilities of the ship and its skilled sailors. That was obviously the high.


Offloading live rounds and replacing them the dummy rounds
on the CWIS

    As I receive my lifeboat assignment in case of abandoned ship orders, my general quarters (navyspeak for battle) station as a .50 cal gun mount loader, am fitted for a SCBA mask (for firefighting or hazmat situation), and the crew moves in clothes, gaming systems, and other entertainment, reality is setting in for the 7 months we will spend at sea. My low points have been attributed to this as well as continued separation from Zach, long days of learning, but still not being helpful, meeting new people, lack of freedom to move about the island (I have no car here), I don't have my own space, everything is metal (ouch!), and small (I cringe every time the shower curtain skims my skin!). I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given, but I've been sourly wondering why God has even guided me here. I'm praying for a some sort of breakthrough very soon.

Helicopter casualty simulation on our helipad

     After Sunday my posts will be from the Pacific Ocean or various parts of the world! We are headed to Guam first so that will be my first 'land post'! I'm told that internet at sea is pretty spotty, but I will post as often as possible. I will also be checking my email when I can. Feel free to email me. I will not have a phone until we are back at homeport in several months, so I will not receive calls or text messages after Sunday.

     Until next time!


Vertical Launching System for
Tomahawks and Standard Missiles

 
    

Ooops!

The address I posted last week was incomplete. Here is the correct address for me to receive mail throughout deployment. So sorry!

Lily Hamann

USS Chafee DDG 90

Unit 100199 Box 812

FPO AP 96662

Aloha from Oahu!

    You will all be delighted to hear that I've been delivered to Oahu safe and sound! The last few days have been a whirlwind for me. Utter culture shock is the word that comes to mind. I was about ready to through in the towel when I realized I can't. No, literally I can't. I've signed my life away for the next five years!... Yikes!
     But, after almost three days on the ship I am starting to experience little victories that give me hope. I am now able to get myself from the topside of the ship to my berthing (navyspeak for living quarters), to my work center, and to the mess line. I can also open the water tight doors without any problems. (You don't know frustration until you can't get yourself through a door)! I've gotten accustomed to the time change, bought a pillow and mattress pad for my coffin, oh! I mean my bed. (It reminds me of a coffin b/c I don't have room to sit up and I have a little curtain to shut myself completely in). I passed my fitness test even after almost a month of doing absolutely no exercise, eating poorly, being jet legged, and in 82 degree muggy weather at 5:30am. I've also gotten my first banger out of the way...I rocked my shin on the little step-up that happens in the passage ways on my ship every several feet at random increments.

 

   These are just some of the silliness in my life right now, but magnify that by 10 for all the little things not mentioned. The biggest struggle is being away from my hubby. We've already spent over 3 months apart while I was in San Diego at C-school. I was able to spend a solid two weeks with him (shout out to the Mall of America and their Yellow Ribbon Program for giving Zach the time off we needed) in MN, but for another 8 months, or so, I will be somewhere in the Pacific with little communication. It seems I am looking at a sheer cliff with no way to the top. My momma sent me a lovely email prayer the other day and I know I have a ton of others praying for me. I don't know how people get through hard times without God with them. I have shed several tears after only a handful of days and I have Him on my side. But, trust and believe He has already answered some of our prayers.
     I have had fantastic relationships with my co-workers so far. They have been so gracious showing me around the ship, base, and the island! I have even met some navy wives who took me under their wings this weekend. My team has also shown great patience with my frequent need to be guided around the ship. I know I will not be thrown to the wolves with them by my side.
   
     My beautiful sissy, who is preggo with my niece/nephew (eeeek! So pumped to be an auntie), suggested posting some ideas for care packages if you are so inclined to send things. Keep in mind there will be people who don't get mail from their loved ones. If you would like me to pass things along to those who need some love via care packages just let me know and I will pass it along! So, here are some suggestions: non-perishable food items like dried fruit, nuts, popcorn, crackers, gum, beef jerky, candy, protein bars, various spices (our food gets real bland) tea or coffee pods (for kurig or similar device), oatmeal, tuna. The more convenient the better like the bags of tuna vs. cans, or packets of oatmeal vs. the big canister. Uniform items like solid navy blue t-shirts, solid black socks, bobby pins, hair ties. Toiletries like toothpaste/brush, contact solution, hairspray, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, tampons, deodorant, panty liners/pads, foot spray, baby wipes, dry shampoo, IB prophen, Echinacea, Emergen-c/airbourne, Dramamine, chapstick. Entertainment like DVDs, photos, headphones, magazines, calling cards, iTunes or Amazon cards (Yes, amazon delivers to the ship!). Just remember packages will get pretty beat up and will take a very long time to get to the ship. Also, I'm putting in a request now for Auntie Moe's caramels please! :) I suppose you need to address too, huh?

Lily Hamann CMO1
USS Chafee DDG 90
FPO AP 96662-1305

Have a blessed day!

There's No Place Like Home

As I sit at the cusp of a new chapter in my life, I couldn't think of a better way to end one than the two weeks I just spent in MN. Home. I am truly blessed beyond anything I deserve. I have a water tight support system and an out pouring of love that stems from it. I couldn't ask for a better way to help with the culture shock I am about to experience.

                                                                             

 

                                                                          

                                                                             

 

 

                                                                           

I am currently at the airport awaiting my flight to Hawaii. I will be stationed at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu for the next 3-5 years. 'Oh, how terrible for you!' (Insert sarcasm here). Or, 'You're so lucky!' I am. Hawaii will be beautiful and an adventure that Zach and I will cherish. There is a big BUT, however. It just so happens that my battle group is being activated for a 6-8 month deployment almost as soon as I get there. Zach will not be joining me in Hawaii until we return. I will be trying to acclimate to the fleet as well as dealing with the agonies of deployed life.

I don't want to be a total Negative Nelly. Opportunities to see the world is one of the reasons I chose the Navy opposed to other branches. I will also have few distractions from learning my job and other duties I will be assigned.

I have no regrets, though it was hard to say goodbye. Enjoy the photos from MN! And thank you for your continued prayers!