Monkeys Typing Shakespeare

March 21, 2003 - From the desk of Mark Schooley ETC(SW) (Dispatch written February 26, 2003)

From left to right: Alberto, Brunie, Eldora and Paz aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on February 26, 2003

USS Abraham Lincoln - Adam, just thought that I’d drop a quick note and let you know what the monkey’s have been up to since their arrival. Brunei, Alberto and Eldora with Paz all arrived on board the Nimitz Class aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) in early February 2003. When they arrived, the ship was underway in the Persian Gulf supporting Operation Southern Watch, patrolling the No-Fly Zones in Northern and Southern Iraq. While they were all very anxious to get to work and integrate with the 5,500 Sailors who make up the crew of this ship, they first needed to talk to myself, their new boss.

Alberto adjusting to life at 0600 hours.

I met them when they got off the C-2 Greyhound, Carrier On board Delivery, or COD for short, aircraft. Their first thing was to receive a quick tour of the spaces that would be most important to new arrivals. After learning where they could get something to eat, sleep and bath they all went to the division’s office. When they arrived, I made sure that they each sent an email to their families, letting the folks back home know that they arrived safely and were learning their way around. After contacting the families, I gave them a tour of their work space. Here you can see all four new Sailors reporting to my office for initial briefings.

Brunie examines the power cables.

All four Sailors have been assigned to the External Communications Division where they are responsible for the maintenance on various systems used to communicate. Some of the systems use satellite technology and enable us to send and receive email, make phone calls while out to sea, receive orders from our Commander in Chief, President Bush.

Alberto didn’t seem really happy to learn that reveille would be at 0600 everyday. But he seems to be adjusting just fine. Alberto has also learned the joy of a fresh cup of coffee first thing in the morning. In fact, Alberto just isn’t himself in the morning until he has his first cup of coffee. He drinks it like all real Navy men, hot and black.

Eldora and Paz.

Brunei was a little too anxious to get to work, and nearly got stuck checking power cables running through the overhead. He shows great promise and is always willing to lend a hand or foot as the case may be to help out the other members of the division.

Eldora and Paz tend to keep to themselves, although Paz will occasionally explore the office by himself. Here you can see him examining the inner workings of a stapler. He is very inquisitive and as long as he stays away from anything that is overly dangerous, we let him explore to his heart’s content.

Paz gets to work.

We have recently found out that another group of Sailors are expected to arrive from the SIMI Project. We hope that they arrive within the next couple of weeks. Once they arrive, we will do everything we can to ensure their safety and make sure we all return home soon.