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TLIGuy
·One day I want to be able to tell the story of all the adventures my X-33, Rolex GMT, and I have been on together over the years. This adventure was definitely one for the history books.
Here are a few pictures I thought you might enjoy from my most recent trip out to visit the nuclear powered aircraft carrier the USS George H.W. Bush for a couple of days as she is underway doing workups for her upcoming deployment next year.
For anyone who wants to voice concern about me sharing the images, we were encouraged to take as many pictures as we wanted in the areas that were allowed and not secured. We were told when and where we could not take pictures. We were also encouraged to share them with friends and family. You all are my watch family, so here you go.
This is not my picture, but for perspective, this is a picture of the USS George H. W. Bush home ported in Norfolk, Virginia.
Let the adventure begin....
My visit began with a flight from Norfolk out to the ship where it was operating about 100 miles off the coast of New Bern, North Carolina. I chose to begin the adventure with my GMT. What a better day for a Naval adventure to start than December 7th.
Here was our ride to the ship a V-22 Osprey.
For the flight out the rear cargo ramp is open. We were told that if we went down this was our exit. This was shortly after departure with the runway behind us.
Flying south from Norfolk along the North Carolina coast.
After just over an hour flight time we arrive at the ship and are greeted by the Aircrew Transfer Officer. I love this picture.
After a safety briefing our tour began. Our first stop was the ships namesake museum. All carries have a similar museum onboard honoring their ships namesake.
After a great dinner with the Executive Officer and the Commanding Officers of various squadrons we took a tour of the hangar bay where up to 24 aircraft can be stored and where maintenance is performed.
Nice tail from the world famous VFA-103 Jolly Rodgers.
E model single seat F-18 Super Hornet. The F model has a crew of 2.
From the hangar deck it was up and out into the wind and rain to watch night flight operations. Even with all the wind and rain it was hot. The heat coming off the jets was incredible.
Later that evening were went up into the island to where the Air Boss directs the flight deck operations. His view is incredible.
Now, for one of the most incredible opportunities we had. It was to go out to the LSO (Landing Signal Officer) platform. From this area on the aft of the ship adjacent to the landing area, pilots will talk to the landing jets advising them along the way as they look at monitors showing the planes approach. This platform is grated and open to the ocean passing underneath.
Please pardon my language here. There is dark, and then there is dark as fυck, and this is dark as fυck. Here is a picture from the platform. To the right of the LSOs head you can see the lights of a landing Hornet. This is as close as you can get to a landing jet. The jet would pass us at about 40 feet at 150 knots. In the pattern, each different type of aircrafts navigation lights would flash a specific number of times so the LSOs could identify what kind of aircraft they were looking at. The Hornets flashed 3 times. I've blurred out the monitors.
Now back below deck we continued. To make the quality of life better onboard for the sailors there is a Starbucks. Culinary specialists are sent to Starbucks barista school to learn how to make coffee.
The ships anchor area.
After a long day it was back to the rooms for the night. I prayed I didn't have to find the bathroom alone. This map was useless.
The next day we were back on the deck with the X-33. Here are some various pictures starting first with obligatory wrist shot
Helicopter landing below.
Gratuitous wrist shot, who could resist this?
This is the LSO platform below.
Aircraft arresting cable.
After 2 days onboard it was time to head home. Here is the monitor showing the Osprey arriving back at the ship to pick us up.
Our ride back on the deck awaits us.
The Osprey coming back into Norfolk with ships below us at the piers.
My favorite picture of all from the trip. The X-33 becoming one with the USS George Bush.
I have to admit, I was a bit nervous heading out to a carrier on December 7th thinking about one of my favorite movies The Final Countdown. I asked a carrier Captain friend of mine if we would be ready if shit got real and the time hole opened up. I was assured the Skipper would know what to do.
I hope you all enjoyed the adventure. I sure did and my watches can tell the story now for years to come.
The next adventure awaits....
Here are a few pictures I thought you might enjoy from my most recent trip out to visit the nuclear powered aircraft carrier the USS George H.W. Bush for a couple of days as she is underway doing workups for her upcoming deployment next year.
For anyone who wants to voice concern about me sharing the images, we were encouraged to take as many pictures as we wanted in the areas that were allowed and not secured. We were told when and where we could not take pictures. We were also encouraged to share them with friends and family. You all are my watch family, so here you go.
This is not my picture, but for perspective, this is a picture of the USS George H. W. Bush home ported in Norfolk, Virginia.
Let the adventure begin....
My visit began with a flight from Norfolk out to the ship where it was operating about 100 miles off the coast of New Bern, North Carolina. I chose to begin the adventure with my GMT. What a better day for a Naval adventure to start than December 7th.
Here was our ride to the ship a V-22 Osprey.
For the flight out the rear cargo ramp is open. We were told that if we went down this was our exit. This was shortly after departure with the runway behind us.
Flying south from Norfolk along the North Carolina coast.
After just over an hour flight time we arrive at the ship and are greeted by the Aircrew Transfer Officer. I love this picture.
After a safety briefing our tour began. Our first stop was the ships namesake museum. All carries have a similar museum onboard honoring their ships namesake.
Nice tail from the world famous VFA-103 Jolly Rodgers.
E model single seat F-18 Super Hornet. The F model has a crew of 2.
Please pardon my language here. There is dark, and then there is dark as fυck, and this is dark as fυck. Here is a picture from the platform. To the right of the LSOs head you can see the lights of a landing Hornet. This is as close as you can get to a landing jet. The jet would pass us at about 40 feet at 150 knots. In the pattern, each different type of aircrafts navigation lights would flash a specific number of times so the LSOs could identify what kind of aircraft they were looking at. The Hornets flashed 3 times. I've blurred out the monitors.
Now back below deck we continued. To make the quality of life better onboard for the sailors there is a Starbucks. Culinary specialists are sent to Starbucks barista school to learn how to make coffee.
The ships anchor area.
After a long day it was back to the rooms for the night. I prayed I didn't have to find the bathroom alone. This map was useless.
Aircraft arresting cable.
Our ride back on the deck awaits us.
The Osprey coming back into Norfolk with ships below us at the piers.
My favorite picture of all from the trip. The X-33 becoming one with the USS George Bush.
I have to admit, I was a bit nervous heading out to a carrier on December 7th thinking about one of my favorite movies The Final Countdown. I asked a carrier Captain friend of mine if we would be ready if shit got real and the time hole opened up. I was assured the Skipper would know what to do.
I hope you all enjoyed the adventure. I sure did and my watches can tell the story now for years to come.
The next adventure awaits....
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