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)

Last Newbie of Seventeen

LCDR. Bambi "BamBam" Baxter joins the Blues as the year's last newbie to receive her helmet and wings, 12/15/2017.

It had been a dream of LCDR. Bambi Baxter to be part of the Blue Angels. Head surgeon with 7th Fleet, serving aboard the Battle Cat, Doc joined the squadron as intern this season and as the year approaches its end, the Blues decided it was time to reward her hard work and tenacity by welcoming her as a full member. She will be flying as Right Wing in the Diamond, Angel 2, replacing LT. Chardy "Hinch" Oak, who has been placed in reserve due to real life matters, that always come first. Given her call sign while serving with the Angels, appropriately by the one she is replacing, LCDR. Bambi "BamBam" Baxter starts her first year with the team with a long and hard path ahead, and determined to clear her newbie year with flying colors. In the traditional private ceremony, held today at NAS Miramar, she received her helmet and wings cases.

From left: "Speed", "Cougar", "QB", "Bambam", Yoda (!) and "Hawk".

Yes, you read right. Yoda. LT. Blueskind's new "pet".

A tradition maintained. "BamBam" gets to paint her Cougar. BuNo 131222.

Well earned, "BamBam". But you need to keep it, as all Blues do.

It is our privilege to serve in this role, honoring the real life Blue Angels squadron, and we take it very seriously. Just as we take seriously representing the United States Navy in this virtual world, both in the Blues and in our regular SL USN assignments. To become a Naval Aviator in this Third Fleet as well as in 7th Fleet, from where our pilots come from, takes patience, work, dedication and resilience. It is a responsibility and it comes with work not many are wiling to do in a world where most get everything for very little or nothing. And that is where the major factor to be accepted by the squadron comes into play: hard work.

LCDR. Baxter, like all of us, was evaluated by her skill but most of all by her will. And she has cleared the test. Earning a place among the Blues is just the first step, and some achieve it with matching skill, talent and determination, others need to work harder to make the final cut, when they are recognized by their peers as a full fledged Blue Angel, once their first season ends, but all need their will to be unquestionable and true. Such is the process in this Second Life's US Navy. And so we were very pleased to say "WELCOME TO THE TEAM, ASSHOLE!" to one of the hardest working and determined naval aviators that ever joined us.

Well done, "BamBam". Now it begins.

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NFDTXO/Angel 7

Thank you 7th Fleet

CAPT. Sidney Pobieski, the USS Kitty Hawk's Skipper, after unveiling the plaque at NAF Eagles Nest.

On November 16, CAPT. Sidney Pobieski was at NAF Eagles Nest, home of the Blue Angels, to unveil the plaque offered by the USS Kitty Hawk to mark the Blues participation in this year's Veterans Day celebrations that took place aboard the Battle Cat (see here). A initiative by LCDR. Bambi Baxter, the plaque is set in the Blues award wall inside NAFEN's main building. Attending the simple but meaningful occasion were CAPT.'s Vickie Kühn and Asra Kron, NFDT's CO and XO, LTJG. Matter Blueskind, as Angel 3, and from the Kitty Hawk and 7th Fleet we were pleased to have the unexpected visit of RADM. Yan Aboubakar, who joined CAPT. Pobieski, CDR. Helena Stenvaag, CV-63's XO, and the "culprit" LCDR. Baxter.

 As the plaque was about to be unveiled, CAPT. Pobieski offered these words:
"On behalf of the USS Kitty Hawk and Task Force 77, I would like to present this plaque as an expression of our appreciation for participating in our 2017 Veteran's Day observances, and for the fine work you do in raising Naval Aviation to standards unexceeded anywhere."
Although it is the Navy Flight Demonstration Team's job to fly all over Second Life's grid and attend SL Navy inspired events as the ambassador squadron of the Fleet, we were touched by this singular gesture that, as simple as it was, meant a lot to all the Blues.
The Blue Angels Boss, CAPT. Kühn, expressed our feelings well:
" Thank you Captain Pobieski, on behalf of the Blue Angels I accept this plaque with gratitude, both for the plaque itself and for the opportunity to serve."
Thank you 7th Fleet.

CAPT. Asra Kron
Angel 7

Newbie on deck - LTJG. M. Blueskind

LTJG. Matter "Hawk" Blueskind is welcomed into the Blues fold, wearing the suit for the first time, 11/12/2017.

After a long and distinguished time with the Navy in Second Life that started at Officer Candidates School and is ongoing at 7th Fleet where he serves aboard the USS Kitty Hawk as a naval aviator, and after being selected to become an intern in the Navy Flight Demonstration Team, Lieutenant Junior Grade Matter "Hawk" Blueskind was unanimously accepted this day into the Blues family as a full member. He will be flying as Left Wing in the Diamond, Angel 3.

From left: "Cougar", "QB" and No Balls, the Boss, "Mistell" and "Hawk".

The hard earned helmet and wings, awarded to team members only.

LTJG. Blueskind, call sign "Hawk", wanted to become a Blue Angel since before he joined the Navy and that was his objective all along. Faced with the steep climb that was presented to him when he first contacted the squadron, he did not flinch, and where others broke and gave up he rose to the occasion, earned his wings with 7th Fleet the hard way, became an accomplished naval aviator and a Mig killer in Vietnam, and when the time came to face the music he joined the team as an intern and went through the months of on boarding all potential Blues undertake to familiarize themselves with the other squadron pilots and crew and allow themselves to be evaluated before they are chosen as "newbies". In the end, all team members voted for his inclusion, and so, in the best Blue Angels tradition, there is only one thing we have left to say to him... "WELCOME TO THE TEAM, ASSHOLE!"

Congratulations, "Hawk". Well done.

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NFDTXO / Angel 7

Veterans Day 2017

The branches colors fly on the Kitty Hawk deck on Veterans Day, 11/11/2017.

November 11, we gathered on the USS Kitty Hawk's deck to celebrate our veterans and remember their service and sacrifice. Hosted by 7th Fleet, in the Gulf of Tonkin, the celebrations were joined by members of other fleets and branches, and the Blue Angels performed a singular fly over Second Life United States Navy's most awarded and long serving vessel.

On this occasion, opening the ceremonies and prior to the fly over, the Blue Angels took CV-63's Skipper for a long overdue V.I.P. Ride aboard Angel 7, the squadron's two seat Cougar (see here). Captain Sidney Pobieski's service in support of the Navy's endeavor in Second Life, that reaches above and beyond the fleet she serves in, was thus highlighted in this day. We thank her for the occasion and for letting us be a part of the celebrations, as Third Fleet officers and Blue Angels pilots. Below, some captured moments of the day. As usual, click on the images to enlarge.

The Skipper aboard Angel 7 during preflight, before the V.I.P. Ride.

The Blue Angels present CAPT. Pobieski with the V.I.P. Ride certificate.

The Skipper poses next to her cert after the ride on Angel 7 (see here).

Formed on Phu Yen's airfield the Blues wait for clearance to take off.

On deck, all stand for the national anthem.

Thank you to the men and women who served honorably under our flag. They will be respected and remembered.

CAPT. Asra Kron

NASMCO / NFDTXO / TFCOM