Any flight engineers or P3 Orion crew?

[Pat B]

My daughter Kathryn is on her first deployment in Okinawa, her duty station is Jacksonville Florida. She is a flight engineer on a P3 Orion. This will be her first Christmas on duty. We celebrated in October when she was on leave. She always was able to get leave when she was in training in Pensacola. It is so tough, but I am not alone. Never did this before. Nice to have a place to share feelings and concerns. Pat

[Pat B]

Hey Kristy, The time is just flying by. Is your son done in Pensacola? Kathryn loved Pensacola especially when she was in the air crew quarters she called it "heaven". Loved those long runs on the beach...lol..Kat finished her quals in Okinawa last month. Her deployment should be over in June sometime. Can't wait to see her again.

[Navy 08 mom]

Hi Pat my son is also an AE working on the P-3 Orions. He is being deployed in June. He will do 6 months in 3 areas in the Middle east. He is at Whidbey Island, WA. He is currently working out of a shop with the VP 46 squadron going to the flight line 4 days a week. He will do his C school in April. Graduate from that in May and deploy in June. When he gets back from deployment he will be stationed at Jacksonville with his permanent squadron the VP Tens. That squadron is stationed in ME now but they are closing that NAS so they are moving to Jacksonville in June but since Wes is being deployed he won't go there until after he returns. Have you had contact on a regular bases with your daughter since she is on deployment? Were you able to see her off for the deployment? How long is her deployment?

[Pat B]

Hi,,Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Kathryn loves JAX very nice area, great beaches even on base. She is very happy on her deployment because she truly enjoys what she is doing. She is currently in the area of Southeast Asia..very hot. She has very little down time works 6 days a week but she is fine with that. Great squadron. We did not get to see her off, but she came home in Oct before she deployed so all the family could share in seeing her. We had Christmas on Oct 25 complete with tree, decorations etc. Being together was what made it so special. We are also planning her wedding set for September in NJ which is a special challenge in itself. She is scheduled to return in June. Can't wait. Kat bought a skype phone to call home available at the nex. Seems to be the choice of phone for the military. Hope you get to spend some time with your son, it is so special. Take care...Pat

[Navy 08 mom]

Thanks for the info. We hope Wes gets to come home in May for a few days before he deploys. I'll mention that Skype phone to my son. That would be awesome. I feel like I have all these emotions racing through my mind. Talking helps. Wes was at Pensacola before he went to WA and he loved the beaches but hated the feel of a big city. I sure hope he like Jax cause he will be there for a while. LOL Thanks again!

[Pat B]

Jacksonville is different more spread out and a little more upscale. Riverwalk is gorgeous on the river with water taxis taking you to various restaurants or just to enjoy the view. The skyline is lit at night with various colors just beautiful. Kat will be back maybe they can meet she can give him the lay of the land so to speak. She lives off base with her husband Matt and puppy Bailey. Matt is also Navy based at King's Point but he will be finishing his 4 years soon. Talking does help and I find that non military people often do not understand. Happy to listen....nice because you understand too. Miss them so much...even my little nephew misses her and he waves at all the airplanes in case it is his "kaffren".Kind of feel like that myself sometimes too....lol

[Navy 08 mom]

Hi Pat, how are you? Just wanted to share with you that I went to see my son over the Easter Holiday and it was great. He was allowed to take us through a P-3 and the shop area where he had been working at Whidbey. He started his final schooling on Monday but has learned so much because of working with the guys in the shop. His PO told me he should ace C school and if he don't he's gonna personally kick his behind. It was great hearing how close he had become with them all. It makes a mom proud that's for sure. The guys he works with said they wish they could have kept him there but he will be moving on to eventully end up in Jacksonville. His deployment orders have changed 3 times since they were first issued. Not the time but the place where he will be. So far now all I know is he will be in the Middle East for 6 months starting in the summer. Thanks for listening. Just wanted to share.

[Christy Adams]

Hello Ladies.... A couple of questions for you all. My son will graduated from the FE program in June 20ish. Did anyone attend that graduation? What kind of a ceremony is it? I think there are only 5 guys in his class so probably won't be much. I feel it is such a HUGE accomplishment that there should be a BIG celebration, but sometimes what a mom wants and what the Navy wants - don't always go together. Just trying to plan and would like any info you have regarding the FE graduation ceremony. Blessings! Christy

[Pat B]

Hi Christy, We went to Kat's graduation it was beautiful. Although the FE class is small they graduated several other aircrew ratings simultaneously like AW's etc. Kathryn got her wings at that ceremony and your sailor can choose who pins them. The ceremony was very family oriented lots of photo ops and it had an open tour of the P3 following graduation. Still smile thinking of it after almost 2 years. So if you can you will not be disappointed. Pat

[Debbie AE & CTTmom]

HI Pat, My Son Donn is currently attached to a squadron in Japan( AE )on the P3 Orion, his duty station is Hawaii.
Ya this Christmas id gonna be hard, Our Other son Devin leaves for basic 10-2-10, so 2 out of 3 kids will not be home for christmas. I wonder if kids know eachother
Debbie