Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Back in Port

The RMD and its crew arrived safely.  Andrew is in Everett, WA and won't have another long deployment for about 18 months.

When I talked with him last night, he was cold . . . he's not used to the WA climate after his recent tour in South America! Guess it's time to "bundle up"!  Makes our KS winters seem tame?!  :-)

Near Everett, WA

KS Landscape


 

Sunday, November 21, 2010

On Their Way

It's not much longer till the RMD is back at its base in Everett, WA!  In some ways, it seems like this 6 months has flown by.  In others, it's been an eternity.  Mostly I'm thankful that everyone on the ship is safe and will be reunited with family and friends in the very near future.

And that's cause for  a big sigh of relief from this Navy mom!  


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg110

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Leave Dates Set

Andrew called home tonight!!!  He was in San Diego, headed back to port and then on to Chicago for "C" school.

His holiday leave begins December 16th and goes through January 2nd.  Looks like he'll be home for the holidays, after all!  Can't wait!!!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Getting Closer

After Andrew and I had a little e-mail spat,  he wrote and asked me if I could get his phone turned back on by Thursday.  There's no way they're that close to WA, but they must be within cell range if he wants his phone turned on.   Maybe they really will be back in the US by Thanksgiving.  That would be nice, regardless if he's in WA and we're in KS.  It just doesn't seem as far away as when he's out in the middle of the ocean.

Can't wait 'till they're back!  I'm finally beginning to think the end of this deployment is actually in sight!



When do our children stop being a pain in the ass?

Friday, November 12, 2010

Great News!

> 11 NOV 2010
>
> Dearest family and friends,
>
> It is with a warm heart that I am able to report that USS RODNEY M. DAVIS will be arriving home from deployment in time for Thanksgiving. The possibility of a second extension has gone away.
>
> Our arrival date is 23 November! To guard the exact arrival time, I will send out additional information separately in our next newsletter but you should anticipate a late morning arrival. 
>
> I am so proud of the RODNEY M. DAVIS family for accepting the adversity our extension may have caused and the continued positive support for your Sailors. 
>
> Both main engines are on line with a flank bell ordered up - our heading is northwest. We'll see you soon!
>
> Happy Veterans Day and Warmest regards, The Captain
>
> P.S. Emma Ray, Daddy's coming home!
>
> CDR Scott Robertson
> Commanding Officer

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Request for First Meal at Home!

Andrew is out of River City and he is starting to think about his time at home.  He asked if we could have pizza and beer for his first dinner at home.  Funny what he wants after being gone for so long!  Guess he hasn't had any decent pizza during his travels. 

He said he wants to have pizza and beer with me and David and just sit and talk.  Wow!  What more could a mom ask for?  That makes my "mom heart" very, very happy!!!

Safe travels Andrew and RMD crew!!!  Can't wait til you're back in WA!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Info from RMD Public Affairs

Here's an article that tells about what Andrew's ship has been doing.  Interesting reading.  I can't even imagine what 2.2 metric tons of cocaine might look like.  Amazing!  And great job RMD crew!

RMD Makes Another Drug Bust

Although USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 61) will be returning home to Everett shortly, the Davis crew continues with its drug trafficking mission. 
Late September, while Davis was on patrol in the Eastern Pacific searching for illicit narcotics trafficking, the crew made its largest drug bust of the 2010 deployment. Davis strategically located another suspected fishing vessel with the help of HSL 43 Detachment Four SH-60B Seahawk helicopter, and excellent intelligence from the Joint Intra-Agency Task Force (JIATF-South) based out of Key West, Fl.
The Pacific Ocean provides a massive area for drug smugglers to operate and provides ample opportunity to blend in with legitimate fishing vessels.
Once Davis was certain of their target, the ship discretely approached the unsuspecting drug traffickers and launched their Rigid Haul Inflatable Boat (RHIB) with the shipís Coast Guard Law Enforcement Team (LEDET) embarked. 
It did not take long for the drug runners to know they were caught, and they immediately attempted to eliminate any drug evidence by sending drug parcels over-the-side to the ocean floor.  Despite the challenge presented by the traffickers, the Davis teamís quick action was able to capture 2.2 metric tons of cocaine, worth approximately 60 million dollars. 
In addition to the cocaine, Davis took custody of eleven suspected drug traffickers, who will report to court.
USS Rodney M. Davis has been deployed since May 2010 in support of operations to counter narcotics trafficking and is commanded by Cmdr. Scott Robertson.