Note: NC1 Kristin Cruz was dropped from this list on 15 Oct 2010 due to 60 days of no contact.

16 Aug 2010:
It's been a little over a month since my initial post on AnySolider.com so I wanted to give everyone an update on how the squadron is doing. So far we have received a number of letters and care packages and all have been received with immense appreciation from the Sailors. It is amazing to see how fast word spreads throughout the hangar when I bring a box or two of goodies. Right now we are working on plans for our half way party even though we are not entirely sure of when we are returning home. We are just hopeful that we are about half way! The plans are to have a BBQ and play some games like tug-of-war between the shops and 3 on 3 basketball. We might even fit in a game of softball, but we will have to see what the workload is like that day. The Sailors seem to be holding up pretty well, but they are crying about boredom. I am not really sure what to do about that, the truth is that Sailors belong on ships and ships mean port calls to break up the monotony. I really do not know how Soldiers do this for their entire career.
But I think the morale will pick up a bit once we are over the half way point. I do know that the books, magazines, ping pong balls, tennis balls and other sources of amusement were a welcome change of pace. A lot of the squadron is also taking advantage of the deployment and investing their time in school or studying for SAT/ACT exams so they can apply for Commissioning Programs next year to become Officers. It's nice to see Sailors taking an interest in their education and their careers. Anyway, I just wanted to give our supporters an update on how we are doing and say, "Thank you". We really do appreciate everything that all of you have done for us.

11 Jul 2010
Hello, My names is NC1(AW/SW) Kristin Cruz. I am the Command Career Counselor for VAQ-142 from Whidbey Island, WA. Currently my squadron is on deployment with no idea as to when we will return home. My Sailors' morale is pretty low right now, so I am looking for anyway to help brighten their spirits. Our living conditions are pretty good. We have "cans" with electricity (220v), A/C and most of the Sailors have a TV with AFN available. We also have a small shop with the bare essentials. Most of the Sailors have been here before and knew what to expect so they brought what they needed. My concern is more for our junior Sailors, especially the ones that will be joining us while we are out here. So far the most prevalent needs seem to be for personal care items. Things such as socks, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body spray, baby powder, feminine hygiene products, and brown t-shirts. We have one female Sailor that only brought four brown T-shirts with her, so if at all possible it would be great to get her more T-shirts, she is a small. We are also in need of entertainment and reminders of home. Things such as tennis balls (they bounce them all over the place and seem to get hours of amusement out of them), board games, video games, reading material (especially magazines), and any other sporting equipment would be great. The guys also enjoy smoking cigars and everyone loves snacks. We don't really have the ability to cook anything so please, no real food items or ready meals. Finally, anything that can cheer up the cans like posters or postcards with nice pictures, stuffed animals for the females or anything you can think of would also really be appreciated. Most of the junior Sailors are away from their families for the first time and the older Sailors, such as myself, have little ones at home that we are missing. So your support is very much appreciated. Thank you so much for your service to us.