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Comment by Diane2557 on July 10, 2016 at 12:01pm

Any mom's out there with Growler pilots?

Comment by Diane2557 on November 8, 2015 at 9:23am

Tricia51: Yes, it's never easy when they are so far away. Chris and family have been in Japan one week now. What has been good is keeping in touch. We've talked on the phone, he's sent little video clips of my grandchildren playing in a park and one of their new apartment. And, we have texted a lot.

If your son has not left on deployment yet, ask him for his email address on board the ship. While not always frequent - and sometimes they have lockdowns (no communications) when they gone - you can at least share text messages. I heard from my son fairly often, and when they had some R&R in a country, twice we Facetimed (apple phone) or Skyped.

I'm sure you must know about Facebook. Your son's ship has a Facebook page. "Like" the page and you'll see pictures taken almost daily of life going on aboard the ship. Twice I saw a photo of his jet just landing and caught a couple of other pictures on deck.

Keep in touch! 

Comment by Tricia51 on November 7, 2015 at 10:24pm

Almost time :( !

Comment by Tricia51 on October 28, 2015 at 8:33am

My son will be leaving Whidbey after deployment, also, & we don't know where he will stationed next.  Time will tell!

Comment by Diane2557 on October 27, 2015 at 10:20pm

I know what you mean. So hard to send them off, can't always get in touch with them. But at least we both have daughter-in-laws who can fill us in. The CO's wife is always in touch with the other wives and letting them know what's going on. Of course, the wives can't always share the info. So glad you had a good visit. I'll miss Whidbey, really liked the area. Don't know where our son goes after this assignment is done.

Comment by Tricia51 on October 27, 2015 at 2:14pm

Got back home from Whidbey Sat. evening after spending a few days visiting with Sailor & daughter-in-law.  The weather was nice & not cold; it seems that when we have gone in the past, its been rainy & chilly.  Of course, we could go a different time of the year (dumb me).  I plan on gong there when my Sailor gets back from deployment.  Anyway, we had a very nice time, always bitter/sweet when its time to say "until the next time"

Comment by Diane2557 on October 22, 2015 at 4:54pm

Hi Tricia51,

My son has been at Whidbey since August 2008. His first assignment fresh out of flight school. He loves it there. Hope you have some good weather when you're there. I've been there in the early spring and Thanksgiving time. Usually rainy and chilly.

I had the same problem as you in wanting to go see a ship leaving with all the sailors standing around the edge. Since all his ships have been out of San Diego, going there would not get me to see him. Especially, since the ship leaves port first, then the jets fly out a few days later. For the growlers, the unit flies direct from Whidbey to the ship off of San Diego. Likewise, they always leave a couple days before the ship gets into port and fly directly back to Whidbey. The Tiger Cruise was our way to see the glorious ship pull into Pearl Harbor with our son on it, spend three days with him, then go aboard the ship and be part of the folks on deck when it pulled out of port. We also got to see our son actually take off and land on an aircraft carrier. AWESOME.

I wonder if, on the last 4 years, our sons' paths have crossed while on base. Chris has been mostly assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan, but did practices on the Stennis and Carl Vinson from San Diego, and Eisenhower (or was it the Enterprise?) from Norfolk.

As I mentioned, I got out to Whidbey early August to see our son and his family, then they cam home about 2 weeks later. Those were the last time's we got to see then. And now, in 3 days, they're flying to Japan for up to 2 years. Going to really miss them.

Enjoy your visit!

Comment by Tricia51 on October 19, 2015 at 9:25pm

Hi Diane, my son is an AT on the Growler, he will be leaving on deployment next month for 7 months, I believe he said.  I decided that my husband & I needed to get out there to Whidbey before he leaves.  He is attached to the USS Truman & will be leaving from Norfolk.  I wanted to see his ship leave even though I won't get to see him.  Don't have any idea where to go to watch it leave since I will not be able to get on base to see the ship.  Oh well, I get to see him in a couple days.  My son has been stationed at Whidbey for about 4 1/2 years & after this deployment he will be going to his next base.  As far as a Tiger Cruise, it will pick up in Florida, & finish in Norfolk, but my son doesn't sound too keen on that for who knows why. 

Comment by Diane2557 on October 19, 2015 at 8:47pm

I've been off of this site too long. I accidentally deleted my post. I can't tell for sure, but some moms - especially those of us who's children are pilots probably stopped posting when their children moved on to, say, a desk assignment for 2 or 3 years and if they're still in the military (some retire) those that fly will come back to Whidbey then. 

I visited Whidbey in August. Helped my daughter-in-law clean up the house to put it on the market. After finishing Growler Tactical Instruction he was assigned to go to Atsugi Japan. They and my two grandchildren are moving Nov. 2 for up to 2 years. My son has been a Growler flight instructor for the last two years and when on the Reagan, he'll be flying again.

How long has your son been in Whidbey and what does he do? I was very difficult for us too when he deployed for 8 months in 2011. Usually at the end of a Pacific deployment, the ship's last stop is Hawaii with a 3 day R&R. Sometimes they have a Tiger Cruise. They allow family and friends to get on the boat and travel back to San Diego. Some of the sailors get an early leave to fly home giving up their beds for the family and friends. See if your son's ship will have a Tiger Cruise.

Comment by Tricia51 on October 19, 2015 at 2:41pm

In a couple days, flying to Oak Harbor to see my sailor son.  Haven't seen him since June, & wanted to make sure I see him before deployment.  I'd wanted to see the ship leave but it doesn't seem to be in the cards.  Already missing my baby :(

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