Visitors at Sea View Carrier Choreography With Wild Blue Wonder. An F-14 Tomcat fighter jet lands on the aircraft carrier. The Distinguished Visitor program. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Distinguished Visitor Program USS Ronald. In preparing to land via a tail hook trap on the flight deck on an aircraft carrier. Naval Air Forces > DV Embark Program. Naval Air Forces' Distinguished Visitor (DV) Embark Program. Navy nuclear-powered aircraft.
I Spent 2. 4 Hours On Board A US Navy Aircraft Carrier At Sea. One March morning in 2. I got an email from a buddy in Houston that read something like . I applied, and you should too. Bush Nimitz- class supercarrier. The US Navy was doing a PR campaign, promoting recruiting and the bicentennial of the War of 1.
They were inviting community leaders, writers, and people with a large social media presence to experience life aboard USS George H. Bush Aircraft Carrier. After several emails with the Navy, and a background check, I was officially invited on what they called a . Image of CVN- 7. 7 courtesy of the U.
S. Bush is the tenth of the line of Nimitz- class supercarriers, which means it's also one of the largest warships in the entire world at approximately 1,0. Despite the size, its two nuclear reactors can push the carrier to nearly 3. To visit this floating city, I flew from Dallas to Baltimore, MD where my friend picked me up, and we drove to Washington DC and spent the afternoon touring the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, then drinks with a couple of writer colleagues of mine. The following day, we drove down to Norfolk, VA and met the rest of the invitees at Naval Air Station Norfolk. We were given a warm welcome and briefing by Navy staff at the base, followed by several anxious minutes of anticipation of what was to come. Around 1. 30. 0 that afternoon, we were ushered onto the tarmac, where a C- 2 Greyhound was already spooled up and waiting for us to board.
We had been given helmets and float jackets, should we have to abandon the aircraft during our flight to the ship, which was roughly 1. We weren't given the exact location, for obvious reasons. Our seats on the C- 2 faced backwards, so that our heads would hit the back of our seats as the tail hook caught the wire on the ship's deck.
US Navy Submarine Hosts Distinguished Visitor Tour. Sailors and Marines aboard the aircraft carrier USS. The DVs toured the aircraft carrier and observed flight operations from the flight deck. Embarkation aboard USS Carl Vinson.
We took off from NAS Norfolk and flew about 4. CVN- 7. 7. C2 Greyhound by Official US Navy on Flickr for Creative Commons, commercially licensed. After landing, we were ushered off the plane quickly into a welcome room one deck below, where coffee, ice water and iced tea awaited us, along with cookies and the ship's Commanding Officer Brian . We took a group photo and signed the guest registry. In the meantime, my friend and I knowingly glanced at each other as if to say . During our visit, pilots were working to earn their .
Each pilot had to successfully complete five daytime and five night . In the photo below, the red & white dashed line shows how close we were allowed to stand to the landing aircraft on the deck. We were roughly 1. For the remainder of the day, we toured the ship, seeing things such as the CATCC (Carrier Air Traffic Control Center)Inside the CATCC , there is a closed circuit TV that shows a live video feed from the flight deck.
Commander Naval Air Forces Distinguished Visitor Program. Aircraft Carrier Embark. Once you see flight operations on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.
We dined in the Officers' wardroom, so we didn't really have a true taste of what the rest of the sailors aboard ate, but what they served us was delicious. Meals were buffet style, other than dinner, where they served each of us individually.
After dinner, we visited the library, along with a room where sailors can record video messages that could be sent to their loved ones. This room (shown below) seemed kind of sad, and made me think about how hard it would be to be away from my family for several months at a time. But it also made me glad that they at least had the opportunity to send messages home.
We went back outside and watched flight operations at night. It was cool to see pilots try to land on a moving target, as the ship pitched and rolled with each wave. The plane's tail hook would drag along the deck, making a roster tail of sparks before either catching or missing, sending the pilot back around in the pattern for another try. We saw one EA- 6. B Prowler pilot miss the wire on four consecutive tries.
We were told that if he missed again, he would have to go back to shore, because he was at . He finally caught the wire on his fifth try, and we all cheered and clapped. Afterward, we retired to our rooms, which had bunk beds yet were very nicely appointed with amenities. My friend and I were assigned to the Ambassador Suite, which signified President Bush's service as Ambassador to China from 1. Thankfully, the closed circuit video feed was also available on the TV in our stateroom, because we were one deck below the flight deck, and those planes and catapults are LOUD! I'm a very light sleeper, so I watched planes land until about 0.
The next morning, we toured the hangar deck, where we saw sailors practicing self defense. They were being sprayed with real pepper spray in the face before having to demonstrate a defense against an attacker. Finally, after lunch, we spend more time watching flight deck operations.
This time, we were a level above the deck, where the Air Boss sits. The Air Boss runs the whole operation as planes arrive and depart. An EA- 6. B Prowler comes to a stop after just having caught the wire on the USS George H. W. Bush. An F- 1.
USS George H. W. Bush. After about 2. 4 hours on the ship, our ride home landed on the deck. We scurried up the ramp of the C- 2, took our seats, and once again waited nervously. This time, we were to be shot off the deck by catapult. Nobody on the plane had ever gone from 0- 2. Riding backward again, this time our feet flew out from under us as the acceleration caused us to lose control momentarily. We rocketed off the deck, carrying with us some lifelong memories, and a deeper appreciation for each man and woman in our Armed Forces.
An E/A1. 8G Growler lands on USS George H. Bush. I'd like to send out a special thanks to each and every person who has served our country in the military . I am in your debt. All photos except for the C- 2 Greyhound and the exterior shot were taken by the author, Paul Thompson.
Embarkation aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN- 7. U. S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker/Released)By Steve Kates- Dr.
Sky. As a Radio/TV host; Dr. Sky; it has been a goal of mine, to report on what it is like to visit a US Navy carrier, out at sea! That dream was given to us in August of 2. Dr. Sky Inc./ Photo Recon. Blue Scarecrow Entertainment were given an opportunity to be a part of the Distinguished Visitor Program and fly to the USS Carl Vinson CVN- 7. Our 5 person team, consisted of.
Dr. Sky. Plans for this rare visit, date back to May of 2. Navy Lt. Aaron Kakiel, for taking the time to handle the details. Arriving at the US Navy facility in San Diego, was a most memorable event, as we got to see a US Air Force C- 3. Navy base and we were told that Secretary of Defense Gates was there to meet with base officials,etc.
After a great lunch and a detailed briefing regarding how to . In addition to the unique way to fly, you are strapped into your seat with all the safety gear and helmet and secured very tight in your seat, with a harness. With all five of our group secured in our seats, it was time to head out over the ocean to the carrier. The flight lasted some 4. C- 2. A, you fly without the references of windows.
I was lucky, I scored a window seat. They never seemed to complain! The crew members on the C- 2.
A told us that we might have to make a few passes around the carrier and then we would be the next in line to make the carrier landing. In the glare of all the engine noise, they told us that we need to get ready to land.
They told us that when they shout! We were moving at well over 1. ZERO! You could hear the hook on the tail of the C- 2. A hit the cable and we were there. We made a carrier landing.
Looking out the tiny coffee cup saucer window, I could see a whole world of people with many colored vests with helmets, waving arms around, doing busy stuff and now it finally hit me; these are the many men and women that you hear about, serving our great nation and doing their jobs, just like you and me. We salute ALL of these members of the US armed forces that are making a great sacrifice, being away from family for long periods of time.
After the clam shell doors opened up, we were escorted to an area off the flight line and brought to the media center on this massive ship. Once inside this massive warship, we were greeted by LCDR Eric Reynolds, who seemed to know more about this ship, than anyone I might meet. LCDR Reynolds had a list in front of him with a detailed schedule of the places and people that we would be meeting. Our first embark on the ship, was to go as a group, to see the active flight line. With helmets and vests on, we proceeded as a group, single file, to a place that few get to see.
You will see many pictures taken by our group, of this flight deck. All the crew on deck, work in kind of a workplace harmony, that you hardly see in the business world! Better follow your guide, as you do not want to be blown off the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, by the exhaust of an F- 1.
Back in the media center, we broke into smaller groups, to be given access to area like the computer/print center; the mess hall; aircraft storage area and the aircraft engine shop. Wow, at best; this mighty ship has well over 5,0. Lunch, Dinner and late night dining, all were great experiences. Great food, served by dedicated staff and things running like clockwork! One of the highlights of this embark to me; was meeting and interviewing the ships captain; Captain Bruce H. Lindsey in his conference center.
As a way of thanking Captain Lindsey, we presented him and the fine crew of the USS Carl Vinson, with a plaque of the US Navy. Captain Lindsey assured us that this plaque, would be placed in a location of high honor. That alone, made this trip a once in a lifetime experience. After a great dinner, I was given the rare opportunity of doing my radio show, live from the USS Carl Vinson on a satellite type phone. After that, we caught up with the rest of our group and we were escorted to the flight operations center. Here, we got to sit in the same seats that the pilots brief for day and night missions.
The team leader, gave us a great insight into what the night missions were all about. At the same time, we were watching a large screen TV with night images of the F- 1.
Then the metal arrested cable dragging itself back to it. This is a great place to watch the carrier deck and many aircraft below. Then it was on to a late night snack and off to bed. Our wake up was scheduled for 0. This is a sacred ceremony and one that is of the highest of Navy traditions.
Then it was off to the engine shop for the repair of the jet engines that require maintenance. After that, we toured the flight deck and got to see what 4. After a final lunch, we got to see the medical area of the ship and the dedicated staff that work in this large hospital at sea. The USS Carl Vinson played a key role in the relief efforts from the recent Haiti earthquake. Now it was time to return home. Our bags were taken to the flight line and it was time to say goodbye to the crew and staff. Once again, we were given a final safety briefing about the vests and helmets, which would be our safety net on the C- 2.
A, as we were about to participate in a full catapult launch off the deck of this mighty warship. We walked single file on the noisy carrier deck and once again, I was lucky to get a window seat, for our flight finale. The C- 2. A moved into position and the crew told us, to be aware of the verbal. Aaron Kakiel. We all liked this, so much, that we are looking to see if we can do this, next year, and visit the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN- 7. San Diego. And a special shout out to MC3. We hope you enjoy the many photos and radio interview from our team! On board the USS Carl Vinson .
Sky did live from aboard the Carl Vinson. He was a guest on the Rollye James show.