Crew Roster
Welcome aboard the USS White Sands
Our Mission is to Trek across the 505 & 575; To explore new genres, timelines, and opportunities. To lend a hand to the community, we call home. To look toward the past to find a better future.
The Command Staff for the White Sands consists of the following personnel and additional positions, filled by the initial department heads with the following real-world responsibilities listed below:
The USS White Sands holds monthly meetings, away missions, attends conventions and a host of other activities. if this sounds like what you might be interested in, come to a meeting or two, meet our crew and see if we are the ship for you!
If you are not in the Albuquerque or Rio Rancho metropolitan area, thats okay. Come to a meeting through Zoom, suggest an activity in your area and perhaps meet a shipmate close by.
About us
The USS White Sands is a chapter in Starfleet, the International Star Trek Fan Association Inc, Region 17, and is based in New Mexico. Our home port is primarily in the Albuquerque & Rio Rancho Metro with distance members throughout the State. While we come together under the flag of the United Federation of Planets, we have Whovians, 501’sters, Manticorans, Aliens, Transformers, Arcade Gamers, NASA, Mirror Universe, Sci-Fi and, of course, Star Trek fans. The crew of the USS White Sands is a diverse group of fans coming together to celebrate our fandom, to enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people, to have fun in all things Star Trek/Sci-Fi and to give back to our community.
Membership
Everyone is welcome to participate in ship activities, whether a member of STARFLEET (SFI) or not. We do ask that if an individual decides to participate on a regular basis (attending more than half the ship’s activities in a 6-month period) to consider becoming a member of Starfleet at SFI.org and an official member of the USS White Sands.
The USS White Sands does not currently have local membership dues, so all you need to become a member of the USS White Sands is to select the “Join Us” link and begin the process.

Command Staff
CAPTAIN
FCAPT Laurie McFarland
Duties:
Profile: “Captain Janeway”
The group of three that decided to start the ship specifically sought me out to run the ship. They knew I’d want to do it and have some time to dedicate to creating a ship. Plus, I’m good at getting things done, and I’m not a bad speaker (I’m one of the actors on the ship).
XO
CAPT Bernard Darcey
Duties:
Profile: “The Librarian”
Bernard is a great guy. You get a good conversation from him one-on-one or in a very small group, but he’s very quiet in a larger group. He’s happy to participate in as many events as he can, even with an odd work schedule.
HELM
Lt Jared Francis
Duties:
Profile: “Walsh”
Jared is the CO’s husband. He likes Trek, and is happy to drive to events. He’s motivated to be involved because his wife is, although he did want his own uniform and does enjoy talking with members of the crew in small groups, and telling what can only be described as “dad jokes.”
Tactical/MSG
BRIG Mike “Eddie” Dethlefs
Duties:
Profile: “Thespian”
Mike is the long-time actor on the ship. He and the CO have agreed that the only drama on the ship will be whatever plays they might be involved in, or they can recite some Shakespeare if needed. Mike is always smiling or laughing and is just fun to be around.
MSG DEPUTY
COMM Earl Beighley
Duties:
Profile: “Trooper”
Earl is involved in the 501st as well as Trek. Earl is one of our members who had originally founded the first ship in ABQ in 2000.
He’s a long-time FLEET member who is very happy to have more Trek-related opportunities in the area. (He’s been less involved with the 501st this year to get us up and running!)

Founding Members
Compliment by Department
CO: FCapt McFarland, L.
XO: Capt. Dacey B.
COMM Beighley, E.
ENS Beighley, M.
LT Francis, J.
LT Courtney C.
CRR DePauw B.
BGN Dethleffs, M
CAPT Jackson, A.
ENS Jackson, F.
SGM Mackey G.
ENS Pointreau, C.
CPO Spirock, D.
MGN Reustle, D.
Command
Sciences
Operations
Medical
Engineering
Communications
Tactical
898th Marine Strike Group
OIC: BGN Dethleffs, M.
DOIC: COMM Beighley, E.
Active:
BGN Dethleffs, M.
MAJ Melech-Solomon, J.
SGM Mackey, G.
Reserve:
COMM Beighley , E.
LTJG Beighley, M.
LT. Francis, J.
FCAPT McFarland, L.

Communications
Primary Admin of the Facebook page, maintaining webpage, takes meeting notes
Engineering
Creating and maintaining props, including ship symbols
Conn
Transportation for events and activities
- Jared Francis
Medical
Ensures the ship follows all current health and safety protocols. In charge of SFI medical programs and organizing CPR training
Operations
The primary organizer of away missions (activities and events), in coordination with CO/XO
Sciences
Primary organizer for charitable events, in coordination with CO/XO
Counselor
Chief recruiting officer; in charge of searching out and welcoming new members
Chief of the Boat
Helps wrangle the crew on away missions; helps maintain good order on the ship; POC for any enlisted personnel issues.
- Guy Mackey