Steering a REALLY BIG boat!

[320Bob]

Your experience is so cool and it must have been incredible. Below is a link to some specs or the ship. The one that I found most amusing is the range instead of being expressed in miles it's in years due to the nukes!!!:thumbsup:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_George_H.W._Bush_(CVN-77)

 

[beernutz]

What's the hole shot like?

 

[speakrdude]

An dthe most asked question? Will it pull a tube?

 

[Gunn]

Awesome! I'm happy for you, few get to experience that like you did. I was aboard CVN-76, USS Ronald Reagan a few years ago for a few days in the Atlantic during their initial sea trials and first cat shots and arrested landings. Experience I'll never forget.

So how long were you onboard?

Here's me on the Reagan a few years ago. I have about 400 others!

 

[Walz]

Awesome! I'm happy for you, few get to experience that like you did. I was aboard CVN-76, USS Ronald Reagan a few years ago for a few days in the Atlantic during their initial sea trials and first cat shots and arrested landings. Experience I'll never forget.

So how long were you onboard?

Here's me on the Reagan a few years ago. I have about 400 others!

Just an over night stay.

 

[Jim M]

It was probably on "AUTO PILOT".

 

[beernutz]

I was reading about the aircraft carrier on the link provided, and came across something that made me laugh. It stated that besides Bush, there are only two other presidents that a naval vessel had been named for while they were living. One was the Reagan (aircraft carrier), the other, named the USS Jimmy Carter, is a submarine. A Submarine!

Who says the military doesn't have a sense of humor.

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-14.htm
I don't get the joke.

 

[Jack F]

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-14.htm
I don't get the joke.

I’m guessing a sub is like his presidency, it went under?

 

[StressAweigh]

Since no one has asked yet (unless I missed it) how did you get the ride?

 

[Gofirstclass]

Nice pics and story. What an opportunity.

In the mid 90's we took a 3-day cruise out of San Diego down to Ensenada, MX. We were seated for dinner at the Staff Captain's table (he's the second in command) and he gave us a personal tour of the bridge.

While up there I jokingly asked him if I could take the helm. He flipped the autopilot off and I took it about a mile left of our plotted course (there was a big "green screen" plotter at the helm) for about 5 miles then back to the course and back on the autopilot.

 

[OldSkool]

Very Cool!! I love the military boats. What a great experience.

 

[jerryd5515]

That's just cool. I got to go on the Forrestal while stationed in the Middle East and the letter F of Forrestal on the fan tail was 6 ft tall. You don't realize how big these ships are until you walk the flight deck. Thanks for sharing your pics.:thumbsup:

 

[Walz]

Since no one has asked yet (unless I missed it) how did you get the ride?

.

The Navy is considering offering us Navy ROTC, so a group of faculty leaders were selected for the embark. We did take one administrator along in case we needed someone to go first if anything looked dangerous!

And someone commented on my "military boots." I'm a member of a National Disaster Medical System response team and they are part of my uniform. They worked out great as that is what the crew all wore. I'm also wearing my blue BDU pants in that picture.

 

[AKBASSKING]

My son is in the Navy and is assigned to the USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), a guided missile destroyer (sister ship to the USS Cole). Every few years they offer parents a cruise. Really a cool experience. I have worked on the FA-18s. Nice jet!

Walz, glad you had a great time! Those carriers are big huh! They have a crew size of 5,000.