2017 Miramar 3rd Fleet Christmas Run

Thor all packed and good to go on Miramar's East apron with "Cougar", "Mistell" and "QB", the Flyin' Reindeer.

"We come bearing gifts and we're not Greek!"
Yes 'tis the season for flying reindeer and this year's Miramar Third Fleet Christmas Run went on as scheduled on December 17. Following the run's tradition, the volunteer Christmas detail visited naval service locations and handed gifts to the local crews, leaving behind the season's gift dispensers. This year the Flyin' Reindeer were CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron, LCDR. An "Mistell" Rainbow and LCDR. Jenny "QB" Kaz. We visited Third Fleet, Seventh Fleet, Second Fleet and (Virtual) U.S. Coast Guard locations. As usual, Patron 4 Embraer 120 "Thor" AK-901, BuNo 16034, was picked for the mission (see here).
Here is the photographic record and report of the mission.

Christmas gift dispensers locations
3rd Fleet - N.A.S. Miramar - main gate
3rd Fleet - N.A.F. Eagles Nest - main landing
7th Fleet - CV-63 U.S.S. Kitty Hawk - enlisted mess
2nd Fleet - N.S.T.C. Velinissimo - South gate at Southern Cross airfield
2nd Fleet - N.S. Bull Rock - West pier
SLMC - MCAS Chase Field - main landing
(v) U.S. Coast Guard - CGAS Majipoor - HQ building

Note: As usually, click on the images to see enlarged version.

Ready or not, Ho Ho Ho! "Mistell" and "Cougar" in the cockpit with "QB" standing by and... a hula girl dashboard doll?

First stop, snow covered CGAS Majipoor in Corsica, where the U.S. Coast Guard headquarters is located. The flyin' reindeer were received by Admiral Toxic Lemon and several of his crew members, who greeted us in Santa hats to match the mission spirit. The officers present got their gifts and we enjoyed our short visit to one of the oldest naval service institutions in Second Life. Founded 2008, the Virtual Coast Guard is finally embracing the call and assuming real life like United States Coast Guard protocols and procedure, which brings it to the SL United States naval service fold. We gladly welcome the coasties and are happy to see how the VCG tradition matches the (v)USCG new image. Later the dispensers were placed indoors in the headquarters building hall.

                                                     Top: Reindeer salute, a Chistmas tradition we are proud to hold.                                              Bottom: Patron 4's Thor warms up for taxi and take off from CGAS Majipoor to MCAS Chase Field and VADM Eliza Belis checks the dispensers indoors later that week, sporting the ladies' gift "Proud to Serve" jacket.

The flight to MCAS Chase Field from CGAS Majipoor was not without "twabble" and the crew braved rough SL weather and stupid zero second security orbs all the way through. Well, some braved it harder than others...

"Cougar" muttering words not suitable for publication. "... And while Asra was in a life raft..." someone was ordering margaritas.

The crew shifted to Southern Cross for recovery and would take the chance to place the Naval Service Training Center dispensers there. Due to the current relations between Third and Second fleets it was a way to extend our Christmas greetings to all who serve at NSTC and neighboring North valley.

       Top: The Flyin' Reindeer place the dispensers by NSTC's South gate and pose for a photo at Southern Cross airfield.        Bottom: "Mistell" tries to smuggle an add on to the official outfit, but the monkey gave it away. Thor hot and static at SC.

MCAS Chase field was going through changes, but the detail carried out the deed and later the Christmas gift dispensers were placed securely after the removal of the command building that still stood on December 17. Since then the air station saw some improvements to maximize resources.

Left: The dispensers by the old command building at MCAS Chase Field. Right: Later on with Col. Kangas, securing them.

Next on the list was a 2nd Fleet location that is also home to the Bull Rock Hornets, N.S. Bull Rock in the Blake and Islands continent. The local XO, LTJG. Sara Llewellyn greeted us and got her gifts, plural, as this year the girls get to wear the boys gift but the reverse is not true! Always good to visit CDR. Connie Mistwalker's command and the Hornets home. All being set, the Christmas detail headed to Southeast Asia.

LTJG. Sara Llewellyn salutes the Flyin' Reindeer at Naval Station Bull Rock.

LCDR. An "Mistell" Rainbow had to leave due to the late hour but the remaining reindeer finished the job, this time switching to the more suitable HS-4 VK-07 Huey that serves with the Blue Angels in the Indochina regions. Taking off from Phu Yen, we landed on the Battle Cat deck and were greeted by the skipper, CAPT. Sidney Pobieski, and LCDR. Bambi "BamBam" Baxter, themselves already in Secret Santa party attires (see here). The season spirit was all around and the skipper got her camera for "Here is a photo op if I ever saw one."

Top to bottom, clockwise: "Cougar" and "QB" aboard the VK-07 at Phu Yen airfield. Flyin' Reindeer on the Kitty Hawk deck. Unloading the gift dispensers. CAPT. Pobieski poses with Miramar Third Fleet's Christmas Run detail.

The Skipper oversees the dispensers placement in the enlisted mess. Happy Holidays 7th Fleet!

We were most pleased to be able to keep this tradition and again fly the skies of SL as reindeer to bring gifts to all who serve in this great Navy and happy to extend the mission to include the Marines and the U.S. Coast Guard. It is, as always, our privilege to serve in this Fleet and this Navy. Merry Christmas to all and to all a happy New Year! Hooyah!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO / TFCOM

From last year: 2016 Miramar Third Fleet Christmas Run. (click link)