USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

Hello all.  Just wanted to let you know my son received the care package I sent this past Wed, Feb. 22 and I mailed it from Indiana on Feb 6.  I was pretty amazed he received it that fast and I was super excited (and so was he) that he got it.  I got the large priority rate shipping box from the post office and stuffed it full.  He likes a lot of protein, so I sent 2 jars of peanut butter, alot of protein bars and trail mix, etc.

Docking in Greece video.
https://www.facebook.com/137569139613769/videos/1261462040557801/?p...

Does anyone know anything about a 9 digit zip code for mailing to the ship ???? 

This is directly from the ships official webpage...

Mailing Address:
(Rate or Rank/Name)
USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77)
UNIT 100331 BOX #
(Box number is specific to each Sailor on board)
FPO, AE 09513

FPO, AE 09513

Thanks Dad of a Sailor. My son said he was going to order something in Greece and have it sent to the ship but they needed the four extra numbers in the zip code . 

In 2013 when the USPS consolidated their military mail operations from the 2 coasts to one central facility in Chicago, they mandated that 9 digit zip codes be used. In 2014, this was amended to use a standardized addressing system and 5 digit zip codes. As far as I know this is still the standard today.
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84519

My son just informed me he is re-enlisting. He already has already been assigned his next duty station after deployment.  He will be in the same state as me, just a short 8 hour drive away :).  Very happy momma

Last deployment the CO blocked facebook to keep the network from overloaded (not enough bandwidth). My son is no longer on the Bush so I don't know what they are doing on this deployment. If they have not blocked facebook, Facebook messenger works great for those with access to a computer.

While they are underway we just communicate via his ship's email. A couple times we hit it when he was online, so we were able to email back & forth.

For communications in port, our son wanted a new phone anyway, so before deployment he shopped around with that in mind. He signed up with Google's Project Fi. The base rate is $20/mo for the first line ($15 each additional) for unlimited talk and text, plus $10/GB for LTE data (they only charge you for the exact data you actually use) The system automatically routes calls between Cellular, LTE data or wifi depending on the best quality/price. The plan is good in 135 countries, so he doesn't have to worry about calling cards or buying a SIM card or burner phone in each port.

Internationally, if the call gets routed through wifi, there is no charge, for hi speed LTE data it is the same $10/GB, and if it's routed through a cellular carrier it is $.20/minute. Data is always the same price worldwide, so skype, facebook, etc. is no big deal.

Project Fi currently only works with Google Pixel and Nexus phones. Just wanted to throw out another option in case you or your sailor is interested. Our son has been very happy with the service.

Got a phone call last Sunday. 

Does the Ombudsman send out emails during deployment. I sent an email to the Ombudsman while my son was home prior to deployment. I have not heard anything back that they received the email. All the deployments my son has been on prior to joining this ship i have gotten emails periodically with updates.  

Want to hear something funny...

My son was in the Navy for four years and stationed on the Bush for three of those years. He was on the previous 2014 deployment with many of your Sailors. He got out of the Navy last year and started his life as a civilian.

Last night his employer informed him that he was flying to meet the USS George  H.W. Bush on deployment and would be working underway with them.

So, he thought his sea time was done when he got out of the Navy but he's headed back out to the Bush and will be underway again. He gets to see all his buddies again that he left last year.

Knew there was a reason you were staying with this group, Dad of Sailor!

Yes, there was a reason I just didn't know what it was. :)

KWats...I will be happy to say what he does once he is done. Posting it now could give information to our enemies. I don't want to risk giving out any information that could put your Sailors at risk.

Anyone hear from their sailor recently? I just like to know they are ok..

Received my Red Fri shirt--thank you Love it!!

Our son has been communicating through emails.

My daughter in law has received 2 short emails this week. Son says they are very busy but all is good :)

First U.S. aircraft carrier of Trump presidency enters the Persian ...

Thanks for sharing the link with us Dad, was concerning to read but this is what our sailors signed up for. Prayer for them all. I heard from my son and as the others have said just non stop busy but he is good

Your Sailors are well trained and prepared as this is what they do every day. They have the best equipment and training in the world and are out there working as a team. They are doing important work and you each should be very proud of what they are doing. I know I am.

Thanks to each of you for raising young men and women that are willing to do the hard things this country needs to remain free.

I haven't heard anything from my son in a week or so, but I know they are busy. He emails our daughter in law almost daily, and she keeps us in the loop. On a different note, I would love to see pictures of people wearing the RED Friday shirts that were ordered from me. I would like to put together a picture collage. I did have a few people tell me that if the shirts weren't specifically for this deployment, they would love to order. So, I will be doing another order of shirts with the front design only. If anyone is interested, or know someone who is, just get in touch with me.