The Maine Wire
  • News
  • Commentary
  • The Blog
  • About
  • Support the Maine Wire
  • Store
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending News
  • State Regulators Approve Merger of York Hospital with MaineHealth
  • Somali TPS Ends After 35 Years: What Does It Mean for Lewiston and Portland?
  • Betting Market Taking Odds On Graham Platner Possible Criminal Charges, Divorce
  • Drought Tightens Grip on Maine as Wells Drop, Water Restrictions Begin
  • ICE Steps Up Presence at Portland Jetport as Agency Prepares to Equip Agents With Electric Shock Gloves
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Paul LePage in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District Race
  • Kentucky Woman Faces Two Federal Felonies After WWII Memorial Vandalized in Washington
  • Editorial: We Can Talk to Anyone — So Why Can’t We Talk to Each Other?
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
The Maine Wire
Sunday, August 16
  • News
  • Commentary
  • The Blog
  • About
  • Support the Maine Wire
  • Store
The Maine Wire
Home » News » News » ‘Operation Panty Drop’ Helps USS Gerald R. Ford Crew Get Needed Supplies After Fire
News

‘Operation Panty Drop’ Helps USS Gerald R. Ford Crew Get Needed Supplies After Fire

Ted CohenBy Ted CohenApril 17, 2026Updated:April 18, 20265 Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

When a humorous website dedicated to the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power program heard about a laundry-room fire at sea, it was all dainties on deck.

“The Reactor Is Critical” started a fund drive to replace laundry lost in the March blaze aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford.

“When I heard they had a laundry-room fire we were asked to see if we could help them out,” said Kelsey Eckelman, who with Mike Lassiter runs the website.

After hearing of the issues facing the crew, they decided to take action in a humorous way with “Operation Panty Drop.”

Lassiter was surprised at how fast the money came in, according to writer Rob Rizzo of Wavy.com.

“We brought in $12,000 by the second day,” Lassiter told Rizzo. “And then, by the time we sent everything out, it was about $20,000.”

The money was used to buy various supplies for the shipmates, including items specifically requested by female sailors.

They sent feminine hygiene products and hair ties – as well as 600 pairs of panties.

“A lot of the female sailors were asking for hair ties and hairbrushes, just really basic stuff that they weren’t able to get themselves,” Eckelman said.

The carrier Ford, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia and the lead ship in its class, was most recently deployed in the mideast, off the Israeli coast.

Previous ArticleTrump Halts Funding To Miami Catholic Charities, Maine Chapter Gave Gateway Community Services Cash Grants
Next Article Maine Website Honors Memory Of Troubled Scarborough Mom Murdered By Monster Psychopath
Ted Cohen

[email protected]

Latest News

State Regulators Approve Merger of York Hospital with MaineHealth

August 15, 2026

Somali TPS Ends After 35 Years: What Does It Mean for Lewiston and Portland?

August 15, 2026

Betting Market Taking Odds On Graham Platner Possible Criminal Charges, Divorce

August 15, 2026
0 0 votes
Article Rating
5 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Islander
Islander
3 months ago

Going green in the ships laundry caused the fire. The Navy should have stuck with the tried and true laundry system.

0
Dr. Ed
Dr. Ed
3 months ago

The Ford is a freaking disaster, renamed the USS Obama, and sunk

0
Lowell Morse
Lowell Morse
3 months ago

“Panty drop”. Is that going to be part of the “Crossing of the Line” ? For all you SHELLBACKS out there!

0
Lowell Morse
Lowell Morse
3 months ago

Was that part of the “toilet problem”? Girlie stuff down the crapper?

0
Lowell Morse
Lowell Morse
3 months ago

Call DC Central: Get some HT’s down there, Tim is flushin’ tampons again. Time for a “blanket party” Chief.

0
Recent News

State Regulators Approve Merger of York Hospital with MaineHealth

August 15, 2026

Somali TPS Ends After 35 Years: What Does It Mean for Lewiston and Portland?

August 15, 2026

Betting Market Taking Odds On Graham Platner Possible Criminal Charges, Divorce

August 15, 2026

Drought Tightens Grip on Maine as Wells Drop, Water Restrictions Begin

August 15, 2026

ICE Steps Up Presence at Portland Jetport as Agency Prepares to Equip Agents With Electric Shock Gloves

August 15, 2026
Newsletter

News

  • News
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Opinion & Commentary
  • Media Watch
  • Education
  • Media

Maine Wire

  • About the Maine Wire
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Commentary
  • Complaints
  • Maine Policy Institute

Resources

  • Maine Legislature
  • Legislation Finder
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Maine Wire TV

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Steam RSS
  • Post Office Box 7829, Portland, Maine 04112

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

wpDiscuz