Preface

Normally in a preface or introduction I would unwind a few thoughts concerning the content and attempt to connect to you, fearless reader of strange blogs, and set the hook as it were. The problem is I don’t know exactly what all will end up here. Although my travel itinerary, mission objectives, and even my Navy approved media guidance are all sewn up- I simply don’t know what I will use this for besides a small capsule that over the years will end up buried deep in the virtual world much like those time capsules you buried in the field of your elementary school. So let us start with what we do know:
1) I am deploying to the South Pacific in support of a joint humanitarian and civil assistance mission called “Pacific Partnership”
2) The mission will work in 5 countries: Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Tarawa Kiribati, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Unfortunately I will only work in 3 of them: Tonga, Tarawa, and RMI
3) Today I board a jet in San Diego and won’t stop flying until I arrive in Nuku’alofa Tongatapu Tonga. We will only stay in the city a few days before traveling to the remote Ha’Apai group in central Tonga, where all the mission projects will take place.
Along with me will be my boss, an Aussie Exchange officer, professionally trained at the Australian Naval academy and a bit of a tech geek. I only understand about 50% of what he says, although he swears he speaks English. The good news is that number is up from 6 months ago when he first reported. Member number two of the San Diego team is our Medical Planning Officer who has been living in my spare bedroom and has been inadvertently convincing me that I am not in fact a slob. (Readers that have had house guests understand the inescapable truth of my experience). Despite his domestic handicaps, he is entertaining. The rest of the team is coming from all parts of the world and we/you will not meet them until later in the story.
Our job is to conduct final detailed planning before the ship arrives, shake the hands that need shaking, and keep things moving forward as our two cultures and bureaucracies collide. If everything works out, that collision should seem like a well-orchestrated diplomatic dance.
These are all very easy things to type loafing on my recliner on a beautiful southern California afternoon, but I assure you it will be worth the ride. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m off to pick up my last California burrito for the next four months. Next time I post, I’ll be on Tonga time- skirting the equator.

Darrin