For those of you keeping track, #9 was the press release I posted.
It’s been another couple of weeks, and thought I’d get you folks caught up. IKE’s been operating in the Arabian Gulf now for about a month. We’ve conducted strikes against Iraq in response to violations of the No Fly zones, their shooting at our aircraft(or illuminating our planes with radar) and violations of UN sanctions.
It’s been a very busy and hot couple of weeks. GQ drills, training, ESWS qualifications and the day-to-day operation of 4 TV stations, a daily newspaper, media queries and a slew of world visitors.
As I write, though, we are approaching Jebel Ali, a port city in the United Arab Emirats, for four days of “liberty.” I’ve got one thing on my mind – a bathtub.
This may seem odd to some of you, but think about it. Aboard ship we have to make our own water. What we do make is used for a variety of purposes: it’s turned to steam to propel the ship, it launches out planes, it’s used to cool the ship, we clean our laundry in it, we cook with it and we drink it.
One of the ways we can limit our water usage is by taking “Navy showers.” Run the shower for a minute to get wet, then secure it. Lather and soap up. Then it’s a whole minute and a half to rinse off!
I’ve got liberty today and have made reservations at a hotel. I ensured my room has a tub, around which I will schedule my afternoon activities. I’ve got a good book, I’ll order a bottle of wine and I plan to soak for a couple of hours! The only thing which I could add would probably be some female companionship (Hey! It’s been 4 months already, so leave me alone!), but that can wait for the States.
Not exactly the stereotypical “Sailor on Leave” picture is it? What can I say besides, “Get bent!”
When we depart the UAE, we head back to station up north, awaiting our relief the George Washington, which got underway Wednesday.
Well, that’s about it. I’m off to get all “pruney.”
