DAY ONE - 18 August, 1990 - Here we go!
DAY ONE
18 AUGUST, 1990
Officially, the day began with a 0400 muster at the hanger. But for most of us, the night before was spent packing our stuff or partying one last time. The helos were first loaded with the maintenance equipment and supplies, which was flown out first, followed by the crew. We landed on board the USNS KILAUEA )T-AE-26) by 0610, which was just off shore. The boat then pulled into Guam by about 0730, and we had breakfast.
I spent the morning setting up my TV, VCR, and computer in the helo detachment's lounge spaces, then we started setting up the hanger and work spaces. We had to have everything stowed and or secured prior to pulling out of port, as the water is usually somewhat choppy around Guam, and things tend to fly around when the ship starts rocking. For those who have never been on a ship, it is like being in an big earthquake. Things can slide or fly around if not tied down, causing all sorts of problems. We had some lunch around noon, then some of the crew went out shopping for last minute things, etc. The ship secured liberty at 1500, and mustered to be sure everyone was back. Dinner around 1700, then we finished moving things around and getting all settled in, and cast off by 1900.
At 2000 the ship had a pizza night in the mess decks, sort of a ships social night. There is also a popcorn night, a nachos night, usually at least two nights a week. Forget everything you may know about US NAVY ships, of which this was origionally. It has a crew less than half of what would normally be required for a ship of its size and mission, because the civilian crew normally stays with the ship for many years, rather that getting out after 4 years which is common in the Navy. This means that spaces are not so confined, enabled us to have two man staterooms, rather than "open bay" with around 150 people, bunks 3 high, and locker space that would have high school kids screaming. We had all the hot water we could use in the showers, did our own laundry in normal washers and dryers, and ate steak, pizza, and some of the biggest lobsters most of us had ever seen.
---
Stay tuned!
In the mean time, leave me some comments!
Thanks!
@carlincomm
18 AUGUST, 1990
Officially, the day began with a 0400 muster at the hanger. But for most of us, the night before was spent packing our stuff or partying one last time. The helos were first loaded with the maintenance equipment and supplies, which was flown out first, followed by the crew. We landed on board the USNS KILAUEA )T-AE-26) by 0610, which was just off shore. The boat then pulled into Guam by about 0730, and we had breakfast.
I spent the morning setting up my TV, VCR, and computer in the helo detachment's lounge spaces, then we started setting up the hanger and work spaces. We had to have everything stowed and or secured prior to pulling out of port, as the water is usually somewhat choppy around Guam, and things tend to fly around when the ship starts rocking. For those who have never been on a ship, it is like being in an big earthquake. Things can slide or fly around if not tied down, causing all sorts of problems. We had some lunch around noon, then some of the crew went out shopping for last minute things, etc. The ship secured liberty at 1500, and mustered to be sure everyone was back. Dinner around 1700, then we finished moving things around and getting all settled in, and cast off by 1900.
At 2000 the ship had a pizza night in the mess decks, sort of a ships social night. There is also a popcorn night, a nachos night, usually at least two nights a week. Forget everything you may know about US NAVY ships, of which this was origionally. It has a crew less than half of what would normally be required for a ship of its size and mission, because the civilian crew normally stays with the ship for many years, rather that getting out after 4 years which is common in the Navy. This means that spaces are not so confined, enabled us to have two man staterooms, rather than "open bay" with around 150 people, bunks 3 high, and locker space that would have high school kids screaming. We had all the hot water we could use in the showers, did our own laundry in normal washers and dryers, and ate steak, pizza, and some of the biggest lobsters most of us had ever seen.
---
Stay tuned!
In the mean time, leave me some comments!
Thanks!
@carlincomm
posted by Carlin at
9:40 PM
2 Comments:
a good day one..have never been on a Navy ship..kk
Thanks Katie :)
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