Change of command

Hello Friends! Sorry for my lack of writing. I’d like to say it’s because we have been so insanely busy that I have no time, but really it’s because not much has been happening. After Thanksgiving we spent the next few days conducting turnover with the P-CO (prospective commanding officer). This morning, we conducted a change of command ceremony at sea. it wasn’t very long but it was very nice; the whole crew was assembled on the flight deck & both CO’s gave a short speech. Afterwards, the outgoing CO was flown off the ship in the helo. We gave “three cheers” (like, hip-hip- hooray!) and then we had a 7-gun salute (you know, like the big saluting battery “cannons”) I have attached a few pictures, one of the ceremony, one of the crew giving the 3 cheers and one of my guys doing the salute. The saluting batteries use a lot of black powder & create this big smoky mess EVERYWHERE; it was all gross in my hair & stuff. Blech.

Other than that, we have been very successful keeping the coke off the city streets. Each night seems to bring new excitement, although a lot of time it is a let down; the excitement of each bust runs out after night after night of no luck.

I am working on next month’s edition of the Claw (our newsletter) to be published before we pull back into Mayport. Stay tuned b/c that issue we will publish the total amt & import value of the contraband we caught. If you’d like to be added to the newsletter’s distribution list, just let me know!

Alright, well I should take advantage of the time I have & hit the hay. I’ve also included a picture of the Coast Guard Ensign flying on our ship while they had tactical control of us.

Thanks for all of the emails; I love hearing from everyone & I am doing my best to keep up with responding! Miss you all muchly!