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Ever since I was a boy, I have always wanted to board an aircraft
carrier. In Febuary of 2007, I was invited to stay overnight aboard
the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN 76. It is the ninth Nimitz class carrier
and was built in Newport News, Virginia.
View from the upper deck facing the bow.
TAKE OFF Strike Fighter Squadron 113, 12th F/A 18-C Hornets on
manuevers, during a two-second lift from the catapult.
Most of the crew, inside the ship, doesn't see sunlight for long periods,
often many days. While visiting each "bridge," I was reminded
of the feeling of being in open ocean, far from land.
The ship seemed to be moving fast, perhaps 30 mph, with waves
causing "10 feet," up and down rocking motions. There seemed a real
urgency to be somewhere important, fast.
The ship, crew and Carrier Wing 14 are constantly on drills. Planes
circling for landing (one every 2 minutes), constant take offs, while
helicopters patrol. The support ships were not visible, but present.
We were on deck, just 50-feet from landings and take-offs.
The Mini Boss (left) assists the Air Boss (not in picture) with flight deck
operations. This deck had the best view of the ship and ocean.
Prior to take-off, planes do "the dance," as they flap their wings, etc.
to demonstrate that systems are go.
At night I watched "touch and go" drills. Planes landed at full-throttle in
case an unsuccessful landing needed to become an immediate take-off.
All night in my cabin while I was trying to sleep, I heard the catapult
and planes engines thundering thru the halls during take-offs. All while
the ships "bobbing" up and down.
Stern of ship, which contains elements of the Rolling Airframe Missile
and NATO Seasparrow Missile defense.
The deck seemed have weapons everywhere. I was always just an
arms length distance from a missle. Each jacket and shirt color
indicated a specific job.
The ship's hanger, which seemed the social gathering place at nights.
Where planes are disassembled, tested and equiped.
Hanger elevator bay.
E-2 Hawkeye, Airborne Early Warning Aircraft.
After an hour flight from the Big Island and circling the carrier several
times, we landed in the "trap," seated facing the plane's rear. As the
C-2A's back door opened, this was our first view.
The constant smell of jet fuel, engine heat, hot flight deck sun and
muffled wind sound thru headgear was a stunning first impression.
I counted over 200 personnel on the deck, most work 12 hour shifts.
Because of headgear and wind, everyone communicates with hand
signals - all day - with some radio contact.
I will never forget how hard everyone worked. Each had a specific job
with a lot of responsibility.
Of the crews's 5,000 members, the average age is under 23. In the
Captain's Bridge, an 18 year old steered the ship while his peers
watched and navigated.
The "Mini-Boss" view of landing planes.
About 80 planes are on board.
The ship's wake.
It was an honor to be lead by these crew members. If this was the movie
Top Gun, this would be Goose and Iceman. The ship was so big, even
crew sometimes needed directions. Both days, constantly walking up
and down stairs/ladders.
At 1,092 feet, the ship is nearly as long as the Empire State building.
The deck is 4.5 acres
SH 60F Seahawk helicopter.
One of two crew members at the Stern who constantly watch the ocean,
in part should a crew fall overboard.
Our host, Captain Terry Kraft, Commanding Officer. It was thrilling to
speak to him and join Rear Admiral Charles Martoglio of Command
Carrier Strike Group 7 for dinner.
I will always remember this, truely one of my most memorable trips.
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