Without asking, Naval Air Station Command at Jacksonville, FL diverted the FFAV plane desginated to carry fresh fruits and vegetables to the Naval Exchange at Guatanamo Bay, Cuba to the Mediterranean Sea to assist in the search for survivors of the deadly capsizing of a vessel carrying refugees from Libya. NAS command knew that the folks stationed at Guantanamo Bay would fully support this mission since they are accustomed to having empty shelves in their NEX often for no good reason at all.
NEX officials went out of their way to comment on this touchy subject for residents. "We are proud to be able to offer a thorough explanation on the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. We knew that our residents understand the hardships of not having something available when they need it and we also knew that they would not want the rescue workers and survivors to have to eat frozen vegetables and fruits when they could get fresh stuff." Fortunately for NEX officials information travels quickly around the base at Guantanamo Bay and that really helps with the shortages.
Once the word got around to the residents of Guantanamo Bay why the plane did not arrive on time, residents really felt a sense of mission. "Although I had my son's 16th birthday party planned where I had planned to offer my guests a veggie tray with my homemade ranch dip and a delicious carrot cake, I was pleased that the command had such a great explanation for the delay of our FFAV plane. Usually they just hang signs in the fruit and vegetable department, stating when the plane may arrive and when they might be fully stocked again." One of the guests, a 16 year old friend of the birthday boy, was not as forgiving. "I really count on my daily servings of vegetables. I skipped my lunch serving of zucchini because I thought that I could count on the carrot cake and dip with vegetables at the party. I'm really bummed."
