Operation Deep Blue Corp.

Honoring Casey Frankowski - Operation Deep Blue 2025 Expedition

About Casey:

CW2 Frankoski served in the Army for 7 Years. In 2018 she deployed to Kuwait as a mission planner. In 2019 she was promoted to Warrant Officer and attended WOCS and flight school. In 2023 she deployed to Texas on a federal boarder mission where she was involved in a helicopter crash and succumbed to her injuries. She earned many medals during her time in service.

 

Casey was a leader, a positive role model and worked hard to reach her goals. Casey had a great appreciation for the outdoors and loved spending time fishing and camping. She enjoyed playing cornhole and riding her jet ski. Casey loved country music and one way or another, she always made her way to the VIP area. She was in her final class at the time of her death to receive her bachelor’s degree

 

Casey had a zest for life with an infectious smile that lit up a room as she entered. She made everyone she encountered feel special and was loved by all. She had a knack for bringing people out of their comfort zone to try new things. She was always the life of the party!

A personal note about Casey:

For the 2024 Operation Deep Blue Expedition, I represented John Michael Grassia III (EOW 3/8/2024). Casey was his lifelong friend and his copilot on the Air National Guard helicopter flight in which they both lost their life. I didn't discover this thill the end of the expedition at the reception with the Grassia family. It only seemed right to represent Casey as the hero she was.

About Operation Deep Blue:

Operation Deep Blue (ODB) is an annual long-distance sea kayak expedition designed to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers, First Responders, and Military Service Members who have died in the line of duty. The expedition also aims to raise funds to provide relief for their surviving family members.

Over a six-day period, the ODB team will paddle from Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville, NJ, to Washington, DC. In addition to honoring all Law Enforcement Officers, First Responders, and Military Service Members who have made the ultimate sacrifice, each Operation Deep Blue team member selects an individual hero to honor throughout the expedition.

In preparation for the expedition, the team trains year-round, paddling through the summer, fall, and winter. During the expedition, the team's skills, physical endurance, mental toughness, and commitment to honoring our fallen heroes will be tested as they face a variety of challenging and rapidly changing conditions. The expedition is supported by Maritime Law Enforcement and Military Units who trail the paddlers to ensure their safety during the sometimes, perilous journey.

The 2025 ODB expedition is scheduled for September 8th-13th. The team is made up of active, retired, and former Law Enforcement and Military personnel from various federal, state, county, and local agencies. The ODB Board of Directors and team members serve on a 100% volunteer basis, receiving no compensation. They invest hundreds of hours each year with their own equipment in preparing for and participating in the expedition.

Your support is essential to the continued success of this worthy cause. Each contribution helps ensure that our fallen heroes are never forgotten and provides critical relief to their surviving family members.

Operation Deep Blue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered under (EIN) 84-3140657.

Your support is greatly appreciated and will benefit the surviving families of our Fallen Heros

Dr. Peter Berger and Hudson Pro Orthopaedics Supports “The Expedition to Honor the Fallen”

Hoboken, NJ — July 12th, 2023 — Dr. Peter Berger of Hudson Pro Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine will participate in "The Expedition To Honor Our Fallen" this September. Each year, Operation Deep Blue plans the event which takes place over a period of 8 days.

Operation Deep Blue is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to increase awareness of law enforcement officers, first responders and military service members who died in the line of duty. The organization also raises funds to provide relief to their surviving family members.

“It’s a great organization and they do a lot of good for a lot for the families of these guys who put their life on the line. I’m so glad to be a part of the expedition this year,” says Dr. Berger.

All participants select a first responder or military member who has passed to honor. Dr. Berger has chosen to honor Paterson Police Detective Anthony Lucanto, who died as the result of cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.

Detective Lucanto had served with the Paterson Police Department for 24 years. He is survived by his wife, three children, and mother. All funds raised by Dr. Berger and Hudson Pro Orthopaedics will go to Operation Deep Blue to support families like Detective Lucanto.

My name is Aaron Rios. I am a Marine Corps Veteran and currently serving as a police officer with the Hackensack Police Department. This year I have joined the Operation Deep Blue team as a kayaker for this year’s 225 mile expedition. It’s a physically demanding and mentally challenging 8 days we are completing to raise awareness and honor law enforcement, first responders, and service members who have lost their lives making the ultimate sacrifice. I'm raising money to benefit Operation Deep Blue, and any donation will help make an impact and directly benefit the families of those heroes we remember today and always. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.