Oceans Apart – CLB-11 Marine welcomes baby while deployed

USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52), ARABIAN GULF

12.15.2021

Story by Sgt. Jaxson Fryar 

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit   

ARABIAN GULF – “You got to do what you got to do to provide for your family,” said Sgt. Lucas Arellano, a landing support specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Arellano came to CLB-11 right before the start of the unit’s pre-deployment training period. He and his wife found out she was pregnant soon after.
“Heaven was super surprised and I was nervous,” Arellano said. He wouldn’t say it was the best reaction since the couple knew he was getting ready to deploy.
Once a MEU composites as a small Marine Air-Ground Task Force, the command element and its major subordinate elements, comprised of the aviation combat element, logistic combat element, and the ground combat element, begin their rigorous pre-deployment training.
As a landing support specialist, Arellano supports the establishment, maintenance and control of transportation throughput systems on landing zones, beaches, ports, and terminals used in support of 11th MEU operations.
“We were two weeks out in the field, two weeks at home the two weeks at ship,” said Arellano. “I didn’t really have time to focus on home.”
At home, Heaven was focused on raising their daughter, Avianna, while also experiencing a completely different pregnancy.
“Ares was a whole different ball game compared to Avianna,” she said. Heaven’s pregnancy with Avianna was in her words “a piece of cake” compared to this one. She goes on to describe sciatic pain, nausea, and the joys of toddlers. There was just one major difference between the pregnancies, “I had my husband by my side the entire time,” Heaven said.
During the PTP cycle, the parents noticed a change in Avianna’s demeanor.
“My wife said that when I was gone, she would get very cranky, and be very difficult to handle. Whenever I came back, she would be her happy self again,” Arellano said.
He goes on to describe as this being the hardest part for him. To not be able to explain where he is going or how long he will be gone. “I worry because she’s so young, that when I get back, she won’t remember me,” said Arellano.
The 11th MEU is now a few months into their deployment and Arellano thankfully has nothing to worry about when it comes to Avianna knowing who daddy is.
“I got an email the other day and now that she is starting to talk, he keeps putting her hands up and asking for Daddy,” said Arellano.
Arellano hopes his kids see the strength that it takes to be separated from the ones you love but also the teamwork and strength that comes from his wife.
“I see these hardships as motivation to improving myself for the better of our family. This separation is only temporary but I needed it to help me grow independently and to be strong minded,” said Heaven.
Ares will be 7-months old when Arellano meets his son for the first time and his family always at the forefront of his mind.
“Heaven, I love you and I miss you and I can’t wait to get back to you. Avianna, try not to be too crazy with your mother,” Arellano said.
“Ares, I can’t wait to meet you,” he ended.

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• Date Taken: 12.15.2021
• Date Posted: 12.15.2021 10:08
• Story ID: 411161
• Location: USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52), ARABIAN GULF