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!!!

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?

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

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!

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

By Ensign Jack Dougherty, USS Rodney M. Davis Public Affairs

Thursday, October 21, 2010

 

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.

© 2010 Sound Publishing, Inc.

Some Light Shed and News of Delay

Here's a copy of an e-mail I received this evening.  It helps answer why river city has been so long this time.  Unfortunately, the ship will not return as scheduled, but it's only a short delay.  And it doesn't disrupt Andrew's leave dates, so it's o.kay.  It could be much worse!  It could have interfered with his visit home and that would have been very, very bad!!!  The CO would have heard from me on that one!  Well, maybe not . . . but 'ya never know!


Here's the e-mail:

27 Oct 2010

Dear family, friends, and Tigers,

USS RODNEY M. DAVIS will be delayed in our return to homeport in Everett, WA up to two weeks.  At this time, we will be home no later than 23 November 2010 – unfortunately, I can not give an exact date as our return is driven by the operations. 

As I mentioned in my previous email, the operations we are involved with in the Eastern Pacific are unprecedented and require the Navy’s best hunters of drug traffickers – and RODNEY M. DAVIS is one of them.  I understand the impact this extension has to you families back home and those who were planning to meet the ship for Tiger Cruise.

I am cancelling the November 4-9 Tiger Cruise.  With the unpredictability of our schedule I can not guarantee a date when we will arrive in San Diego, and find it unfair to those who are taking time out from work, school and sports, to not have a confirmed date to travel to meet the ship.  I am drafting a letter to the airlines to explain the unique circumstances which have impacted our schedule and ask for their support in providing refunds or airline credit towards future tickets.  I will send that letter out to all Tiger Cruise participants. Additionally, I am already in the processes of planning another Tiger Cruise opportunity which will most likely be offered in the Spring/Summer 2011 time frame. 

To the families, I ask for the continued positive support for your Sailors.  All of your homecoming preparations are very much appreciated and will make our arrival day very special.  I have conveyed to the crew that they have two options at this point:  1) become discouraged by the situation which may cast a shadow on the tremendous accomplishments they have achieved over the last six months, or 2) accept the change and focus on the good it is doing for the future of our country and understand that RMD Sailors are needed for this operation.  I am asking for your support in option number two!  The entire RMD family, from Sailors to you back home, need to rally through any adversity this situation may have caused.

I will be opening up email soon to allow you to communicate with your Sailors and work through the details this deployment extension will have.  I ask you not to ask about the specifics in what we are engaged in and wait until your Sailors returns home.  

Warmest regards,

CDR Scott Robertson

Commanding Officer

CDR Scott Robertson

Commanding Officer

USS RODNEY M. DAVIS (FFG 60)

Still Waiting and Wondering . . .

Got this message tonight, which was a relief because I've been worried.  It's been a loooong time since I've heard from my guy!  Hopefully, they've been successful with their mission.  I can't wait to learn what they've been doing.

From:   "RODNEY M DAVIS OMBUDSMAN"

To:        undisclosed-recipients

 

Family and Friends,

I spoke with the CO on the phone and he assures me that everyone is doing ok and that River City will be over soon.  Take care. 

Please remember to not post information about the ship on any web sites.  We want all our sailors safe.
Respectfully,
Amy Webb
USS Rodney M. Davis OMBUDSMAN