HALFWAY!!!

I am super excited to report that Robert is halfway done with his deployment!  In honor of that, I'd like to share with you what he's done so far in this deployment.  It's definitely been a BUSY one!

(Feel free to click on any picture to make it larger or click on any link to read news about the Chafee!)

Nov 29th, 2011

The USS Chafee (DDG - 90) left for a WESPAC (west pacific) deployment.  Here is the tugboat taking them away from the pier and out to sea!

We'll sure miss you guys!!!  

Check out this brief news article explaining their deployment and operational purpose.

Dec 3rd, 2011

They crossed the International Date Line and are now a day ahead of us!

Dec 8th, 2011

They've hit their first port!  The Naval Station in Guam.

Dec 18th, 2011

The ship passed through the Taiwan Straits.  Rob said it was a bit nerve-racking sitting since it is contested waters.  He stood OSS watch in the Combat Information Center.  Basically, he sat in a chair for six hours looking at a radar screen and pointing a high powered camera at surface contacts.  They stood port and starboard, so he would be relieved for six hours then stand six more hours.  Him and another shipmate did it for the entire transit, needless to say, he was pretty tired afterwards!

Dec 26th, 2011

Robert was made Lay Leader!  A little back ground info: the Captain had approved nightly prayers over the 1MC and Rob had being doing it almost every single time.  He was very tired most nights, but wanted to make sure that it was done because he felt it was so important.  Eventually, a small group of others followed his footsteps and would also say the nightly prayer! 

Then Chief Williams, the current Lay Leader, asked Robert if he wanted the position when Chief transferred.  Chief said that there were other people in line, but he thought Robert was the most passionate out of the group.  The Chief said that he was really enjoying Rob's prayers and thought the crew was really learning from them.  The XO also agreed and requested that Robert be the new lay leader!

In case you aren't familiar, Lay Leader is a volunteer appointed by the commanding officer to serve for a period of time to meet the needs of a particular religious faith group when their military chaplains are not available. The lay leader may conduct services, but may not exercise any other activities usually reserved for the ordained clergy.  Since there is not a chaplain aboard his ship, it's all Robert, teaching every Sunday.  He even started a Bible study group :)

Aside from being made Lay Leader, the ship ported in Hong Kong.

Jan 1st, 2012

Rob lead his first church service!  What a great way to start the new year!!!

Jan 3rd, 2012

The Chafee assisted in the UNREP (underway replenishment) of the USS Carl Vinson CVN - 70.  An underway replenishment is when the ship is refueled and resupplied while it is out to sea and not while it is in port.

Jan 7th, 2012

The ship ported in Singapore

Jan 2012

The SEALs were on the ship for a little bit.  Rob had a great time with them.  He got to try out their laser scopes, noise suppressors, and sniper rifle.  He had a blast!  This picture depicts how SEALs, "Look cool in sun glasses, but kill every living thing in sight". HAHAHA  My husband is such a STUD!

Jan 29th, 2012

The ship ported in Cebu, Philippines.

Feb 10th, 2012

The Chafee, along with the USS Tortuga LSD - 46, participated in Cobra Gold, joint operations with Thailand.  

Here's a great article explaining the Cobra Gold mission.  

Feb 16th, 2012

The guys are in Darwin, Australia!  I like this map because it shows you where Darwin is in relation to Australia and almost everywhere else they've been.

Here is an article about the Chafee being a part of the commemoration ceremonies remembering the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin during WWII.

March 2nd, 2012

Back in the Philippines! This time they are in Iloilo. 

Here's an article about them arriving in Iloilo.

And another article about them leaving Iloilo.

March 5th, 2012

Rob was put in charge of the Armory.  He said it's going to be a LOT more work (which is funny because he works a RIDICULOUS amount already), but he is excited to learn more about guns!

March 9th, 2012

From the hot humidity of the Philippines, to the very cold temperatures of Osan, South Korea!

Here are two photos and blurbs of the Chafee in South Korea: Participating in Foal Eagle 2012 and Leaving South Korea.

Well that brings us to the halfway mark! It's all downhill from here! ...Or that's what I keep telling myself!  I sure hope these next few months go by quickly because I sure miss my husband!!!

I'll leave you with a "recipe" that the spouse's got at the Halfway Party that we had yesterday...

If you would care to send him anything from a letter to Rolos candy, email or call me for his address.

He can also get emails; however, please be patient on him returning your email because he is really very busy!  He standardly gets about 4 hours of sleep a day... I have NO idea how he functions! I sure couldn't!