Jack Leblond » Helena

USS Helena – Stories From The Book, pt. 11

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:37:41 +0000

Part 11 – We have no idea how, but we manage to have a major piece of our sonar gear fall off the ship. We joke that it was somebody from the Russian ship. It does make for an exciting few minutes as water rushes in the hole where the equipment used to be – but we survive to fight another day.

And so our saga continues, our little band traveling along hard, fast and deep. The Admirals eyes wide with anticipations, for we all know, we would have only a mere 11 seconds to react to an all out frontal assault, but somehow – something slipped the watchful eyes of the rotund one. For as the rest of us lay nestled in our beds, someone or something (communist we are convinced) snuck up behind us and slipped away with the entire towed array.

What

Ah, comrade we steal towed array

Good-bye towed array

Part 12 – Coming soon…

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USS Helena – Stories From The Book, pt. 11

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 10

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:24:36 +0000

Part Ten – We are still in Curacao, a Russian freighter was docked on the same pier as us – who thought that would work? A couple brave soles mustered the courage to visit the Russian ship and swap some gear. Too bad for them that the top-side watch on our boat that night was a bit over-zealous and turned them in when they returned.

Underway once again, our heroes suspect traitors aboard their lustrous boat. It was brought to the attention of our heroes that certain crew member gave away the holy ball cap of omniscience to representatives of the evil empire. In return, these crew members tried to smuggle the banner of ultimate evil on board in an attempt to stray our heroes from their valorous mission. Fortunately our heroes foil the plot of the dastardly crew members and plan their punishment for another day.

Helena boys trade caps for flags

Part 11 – Good bye towed array

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 10

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 9

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:21:35 +0000

Part Nine – On our way around to Pearl we expected to stop at all kinds of great places. We did not expect Curacao. It’s a lot like a studio movie lot. If you are on the pier where cruise ships dock – wow, gorgeous. If you are on the pier where nuclear Submarines dock….Um, what’s the smell? Our recreation officer feared a mutiny if something wasn’t done quickly, so he arranged a trip to a lake that rented sail boats and other “fun stuff”. Not all of us know how to sail. I’ll leave it at that. I will say I think the “incident” may have been Karma biting somebody in the butt for giving driving random directions while nearly passed-out in the back seat of a moving car. You know who you are.

Unbelievably our heroes make it safely to the gem of the Caribbean, Curacao. Pulling up to the pier, our heroes are momentarily confused, but are told that the island is indeed a Dutch Pleasure Isle and not Trenton New Jersey! Well, more drinking ensued and around the third day , our heroes decide to put to sea, but this time under sail.

Bob is NOT a sailboat sailor

Part 10 – No trade with Russians

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 9

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 8

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:18:10 +0000

Part eight – Understandably, any fire is bad. But a fire on a Submarine is VERY bad. And, if that fire is in the area of the boat that helps us know where we are…well, you get the idea. When Sonar guys think that’s the case – we move fast to fight it.

And so our saga continues, with our clan traveling merrily along still swelled with pride from their recent victories over the infamous mark 30 targets. When suddenly in less time than it takes a sonar man to hit the rack – they are engulfed in smoke and the word was passed “fire in the sacred CSES.” The first thought of all was – NO! not before a liberty port! But two of the group, quick to react with no worry of life or limb rush to combat the casualty. Knowing that at any minute they could be “OVER COME” by SMOKE! Then they discover there is NO FIRE, it was just the cooks destroying another meal… And it was back to normal again.

Fire in the equipment space

Part 9 – Bob is NOT a sailor

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 8

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 7

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:03:19 +0000

Part seven – We survived the port call, just barely. Our top guy was still suffering from all of his “fun”, and missed the morning muster. Thankfully, we were just so good at our jobs that even hungover we managed to hit most of of target during weapons tests.

It was the day after the big port call and all was well with the off-going duty section personnel. All the boys who went out the night before weren’t hating life, just wondering if they should continue with life at all. The oncoming duty section was mustered in control except for the Admiral who forgot to put in a wake up call.

Well the big day finally comes, our heroes defy the odds and despite having to work with the Admiral (who by his own admission is the only person in the division who does anything right) the boys pull off admirable an feat, three out of five hits.

Part 8 – Fire in the sonar equipment space

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 7

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 6

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:56:46 +0000

Part six – well, not much to say here. My good friend Larry, had a good time at the clubs.

Larry Boofante endures the blonde bombshells in brave silence….

Part 7 – Weapons trials with the Admiral

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 6

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 5

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:54:07 +0000

Part five – We have been looking forward to this port call ever since we left Groton. Our top guy has been telling the most tales about how great it is and how much fun we will have. There turned out to be just one problem…our top guy turned out to be full of crap, and even worse a serious light-weight when it cam to holding his alcohol.

The Admiral Passes Out

Well after an intense at-sea period. Our Heroes finally get the kind of liberty they deserve, Cocoa beach!! The party began! Women, Wine Song and Various other unimaginable activities in the middle of every thing, at the exact moment when the festivities were at a fever pitch, the admiral falls asleep.

Part 6 – Larry’s brave silence

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 5

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 4

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:49:12 +0000

Part four – Our top guy was beginning to feel some stress, I’m sure we didn’t help matters any by constantly moving things around on him. Thankfully, he got himself moved out of the area to go bug others.

Another watch with the Admiral

And as it was foretold, the king bestowed the instant knowledge upon one of us. And not a moment to soon for the rotund one was on the edge of his wits and contemplating murdering the entire clan, we all believe he suspected a conspiracy against him. At the very least, he was losing his mind.

Part 5 – The Admiral passes out

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 4

USS Helena – Stories from the Book, pt. 3

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:36:27 +0000

Part three, the Sonar crew is starting to think (day dream) about the upcoming visit to Port Canaveral, Fl and the clubs we have been told about. Well, I hope that’s a daydream about Florida and not my sister.

Daydreaming on the job..yeah, it happens.

Delusions of a class operator————

And a broad band operator————

And a PNG Operator ————-

And a WS Operator——-

Daydreams of a Sonar Operator

Part 4 – Stressing the big guy

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USS Helena – Stories from the Book, pt. 3

USS Helena – Stories from the Book, pt. 2

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:33:21 +0000

Part two of our story we discover that we do not have enough men qualified at the right levels to cover all of the Sonar stations. Needless to say this causes a bit of stress among all of us. Our “top guy” tells us that during most of the trip to Pearl Harbor, he will not be working in Sonar, but in the control room – making our shortage even worse. Fortunately (I think) a couple guys managed to quickly, maybe too quickly, finish all the required qualifications. Crisis averted…maybe.

Meanwhile, we discover that only two amongst us have the prerequisite credentials to guide us through our arduous tasks. This puts neither of them in a jovial mood. The situation threatens to reach epic proportions when the more rotund of these learned individuals announces his intentions to “leave us in the lurch” for the largest segment of our journey. Fortunately, the king of the realm has the power to bestow instant knowledge on a select few of our number with a mere wave of his hand (or stroke of pen in this case). Naturally, all the kings dukes, counts, bishops and court jester must place their blessing (and personal seal) on this holiest of parchments beforehand.

The Admiral Goes Insane

Port and Starboard watches suck, but hey, the days go to fast. One of us has to become very tired due to the other guy relieving the watch repeatedly, 20 min to 1 hour late. Thank goodness for no ship drills or we’d both be dead dogs before pulling into Cape Canaveral.

As the hours crawl by, it is becoming apparent that someone is fucking with the admiral’s mind. Strange and wonderful configuration changes are occurring from watch to watch. At one point, the admiral was on the brink of sanity due to the spaghetti like stowage of the supervisors’ monitor.

Part 3 – Daydreams

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USS Helena – Stories from the Book, pt. 2

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