USS RAMAGE (DDG 61) FAMILIES

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Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on March 2, 2009 at 11:03am

Hi Carrie: Yep, I'm planning on attending. I'm driving Matt's car out to him and then I'll fly home. You all don't get snow to often do you? I heard about it on the news. It's already been in the 90's here.....we may be in for a really hot summer if this keeps up!
I met another Mom (Monika) with a son on the Ramage and her son is a Sonar Tech and Matt is a Sonar Tech. What are the chances of that happening???? lol
I'll be arriving in Norfolk around March 29th. Let's plan on getting together. I'm staying at the Navy Lodge.

Comment by Carrie F on March 2, 2009 at 8:00am

Melissa: I've been out of touch on Navy for Moms and thought I'd check in this morning. We have a 2 1/2 hour delay due to snow... That's cool that Matt and Tim made the connection that we had also made a connection online. The internet's amazing, isn't it? I hope you're doing well.. Still planning on coming out when the ship comes in? Let me know...

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on February 11, 2009 at 2:59am

Carrie: Got a call from Matt on Sunday. He says, "Hey, Mom. I'm cranking in the Chief's mess. I met a guy. His Mom knows you. His last name is F_______."

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 29, 2009 at 6:13pm

Ramage VBSS Team Conducts 100th Approach & Assist Visit
Story Number: NNS090129-08
Release Date: 1/29/2009 2:24:00 PM


By Ensign Patrick Whitmore, USS Ramage Public Affairs

USS RAMAGE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors from the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) conducted their 100th approach and assist visit (AAV) since arriving to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AOO).

These visits are an element of maritime security operations (MSO) which help generate support and awareness amongst vessels in the region to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment.

"The goal of AAVs is presence," said Lt. j.g. Trevor Knight, Ramage's lead boarding officer. "You know an impact is being made when mariners recognize us; and because of our ongoing efforts, they report feeling safer as they conduct their day-to-day business."

AAVs provide coalition forces face-to-face interaction with local mariners and valuable information on patterns of life within the region. Developing communications through AAVs also supports coalition goals of security and stability in the AOO.

Ramage's VBSS team efforts have made significant contributions to MSO throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet. Upon arriving in theater, the teams were effective in patrolling suspected pirate and smuggling routes in the Gulf of Aden. The ship also conducted operations in the North Arabian Gulf by sweeping inbound merchant tankers and augmenting coalition small-boat patrols in and around the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) and Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT) areas.

"It was a challenging role and a phenomenal learning experience for the team to do these operations," said Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Samudiohillis, a Ramage VBSS team member. "Working closely with the Australian Navy, other coalition navies, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, really showed the importance maritime security operations have in the area."

Ramage VBSS team members and boat crew Sailors look forward to continued success during the rest of their deployment.

"Soaked from AAVs from seven until sundown with our normal jobs compressed into the time left over, the perseverance required for these boardings was enormous," said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Andrew Deuell, a Ramage VBSS team member. "But in the end, it's been worth it."

Ramage is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO to conduct MSO. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

For more news from Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 4, 2009 at 2:18pm

Hi Tina:

Hope you had a good holiday.

I'm so sorry to hear your son's iPod and camera were stolen. What a shame! I mailed Matt a very expensive digital camera for Christmas and now I wonder if it was such a good idea.....isn't it terrible when we have to wonder if what we send our kids will be stolen???

Matt was talking about the stealing problem last night. He said the iPods were being stolen right out of the hands of Sailors as they lay in their racks listening to them. Can you believe that?

Since Matt's a sonar tech, he said they all berth together and haven't had anything stolen yet. So it sounds like it depends on where you're at on the ship. But either way, it's such a shame.

I'm sending you a PM....

Comment by Tina - PNM on January 4, 2009 at 12:07pm

Hope everyone had a great holiday season.

I have to say I am not too happy; I have been informed that there has been a lot of stealing on the ship this underway. My son received and I Pod and Digital Camera for Christmas and they have been stolen along with other sailors stuff like PS3, Zune, (more) I Pods, (more) Digital Camera and other things. I cannot believe that shipmates would steal from each other.

What happen to Honor?

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 4, 2009 at 11:00am

Hi Isabel:
I'm so sorry you still haven't heard from Patrick. Matt called last night around midnight here in Tucson. He said all is well with the ship.
He mentioned there is talk of a Tiger Cruise from Rhode Island to Norfolk on their way home.
If you look above this, you will find a section that says "Links, pictures and other stuff" There you will find the ships website. On the home page of the ships website is a place to "Register". Go ahead and register and in a week or two you will receive your log on and password via email. Once you get that you can log on and look at all the pictures.
Also up above in that box you will find the email for the ship's Ombudsman, Misty Lozano. Send Misty an email and ask to be added to the ship's email list. Every month the ship sends out a "Newsletter" with lots of information and pictures.
The other person up there is Ashleigh Trasher. She sends out emails to all the family members also. So send her an email and ask to be added to her email list.
Either Misty or Ashleigh will send out emails 72 hours before the ship arrives in port. When you talk to your son he may be able to give you a better idea of when the ship is returning. That is something we cannot talk about on this website because it's considered very sensative information. We can talk about where the ship has been, but not where it's going.

I hope this helps and feel free to ask any more questions you may have. :)

Comment by Isabel Varela on January 4, 2009 at 9:29am

Hello,Everyone and a Happy New Year to all you Ramage Families! I haven't heard from my son, Patrick-no emails nor phone calls since the 1st week of December. His birthday passed this December, Christmas and New Year--still nothing. I am kinda' worried.I am new to this...How do we get info about homecoming night? Do we know this already--meaning is there a set date for this? I'm from Maryland so it's not a bad drive to get to Norfolk. Hope you moms can give me more insight about this and navy life. Thank you!

Isabel Varela

Comment by Melissa (Tucson) on January 3, 2009 at 12:17pm

Well, okay, all the one's I've gotten to know. We had a Navy Mom gathering here in Tucson last September with Moms from all over the country, so I've made some serious friends....lol
Looks to me you're on the way!!!! Find me a cheap motel for one night.

Comment by Carrie F on January 3, 2009 at 12:14pm

Melissa: Visting every Navy Mom you can? That sounds awesome! I'm in Wilson, NC. We're about 4-5 hours east of High Point, somewhat on the way to Norfolk. We're 2 1/2 hours southwest of the base.

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