A few years back I had the opportunity of a lifetime, I was invited to a US Navy Embark on an active aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, to experience how the US Navy operates.  The USS Nimitz is in the final stages of battle certification before deploying to the Middle East.  I mixed this trip in between a University of Oregon (The Ducks) trip for parent’s weekend to visit Kappa Delta house and check on Oregon Football.  Lastly we spend a few days at the Morrison Lodge on the famous Rogue River for some fall steelhead fly fishing.  That is my definition of a great week! 

The anticipation was similar to the feeling I got as a kid waiting for Christmas.  Those endless sleepless nights filled with anticipation and expectations.  Well that was me, a bit nervous but mostly excited.  As I started to tell others of my upcoming journey, the typical questions came up…how, why, who got you on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, are you going to fit, and inevitably always turned to can I go?  It was good to see that others view of this trip were similar to mine.  A once in a lifetime opportunity, so away I go!

My week starts in San Diego, another beautiful sunny morning in late October.  I arrived in San Diego late the previous evening and got a last workout in, heeding the warning provided by the Navy, a minimum of 10 flights of stairs per day will be traveled.  So I wake up fresh, feeling great and immediately go to my hotel window, looking at the ocean and feeling that Christmas morning excitement.  A fresh cup of coffee, I sit down looking out at the waters, day dreaming about what is to come.  Time to go, 7:00am!  We meet in the lobby with a Navy Aviator who takes us to the base. 

So the day starts at historic US Navy Base, North Station, in San Diego.  We get a presentation at HQ about the history of the base, some of the fleet’s accomplishments and our upcoming trip.  Next we are off to the airbase for helmets, life vests and a bit of training for our aircraft carrier landing.  That is right, we are flying in a transport for an hour and landing on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the middle of the ocean. 

Imagine flying in a sardine can, and that is about the situation.  Small, tight and 3 windows.   A naval transport that can land on a moving aircraft carrier is apparently a very specialized aircraft.  We strap in tight and away we go.  As we come in for our landing, it is incredible anticipation.  A moving, rocking aircraft carrier, the nervous feeling, sort of like walking in the dark without being able to see.  I have no idea what to expect and when the Navy folks start waving their hands, it is time, I clench tight and we hit the carrier. I choose the word hit purposely, it is not a landing but an immediate hit, a jolt.  We catch the arresting cable and you can feel that immediate pressure, unlike anything I have ever felt.  Within about 2 seconds we are in a dead stop and all of us onboard are exhaling, soon the cheers and high fives start.  We are aboard the USS Nimitz. 

We come out of the plane and we are on an aircraft carrier.  It is amazing feeling walking onto the Nimitz.   I was struck by the immense seriousness and pride I felt.  It is crazy, hundreds of people working in unison.  I am struck by the sheer magnificence of the sight.  Fighter jets flying all around, the roar of plane engines, the aircraft carrier speeding ahead and there we are, saying hello to our handlers.  The whole situation was surreal.  Just another plane needing to be moved in a constant progression.

Our first activity on the Nimitz is to be welcomed by the #2 officer on the carrier, hear a bit about our visit and a group photo (see below).  What is next, we immediately head up to the carrier deck to see a wave of fighter jets land.  It is an incredible sight, groups of fighters flying around; everywhere we turn there are Navy jets.  Unbelievable!  I am like a little kid smiling from ear to ear, unclear the proper response I am simply in awe watching this whole scene.   Our education is coming fast and steady.  Arresting cable, roles of the Navy personnel, what the colors represent, various aircraft, so much going on.  I am literally 30 feet away from F18’s landing on the USS Nimitz!  Let me say that again, I am standing on the USS Nimitz watching F18’s land 30 feet away, some of our countries top pilots and military officers all working in tandem to make this impressive operation seem easy to such novices as us. 

Now we go into the media room and start visiting all the operations of the carrier.  We meet two admirals on the various bridges, the boss, the mini boss, the Captain, the CAG, it was an incredible day.    Dinner in the officer’s mess, what a treat.  We literally visited almost every inch of that boat, meeting with several chiefs, it was an honor.  From weapons, maintenance, ship defense, air traffic, missions to the fighter squadrons, we are having the time of our life.  I can’t stop asking questions of all these impressive young men and women sailors.  The day is highlighted with a visit to the stateroom of Rear Admiral Peter A. Gumataotao.  An incredible opportunity to talk with the commander.   

As the night is coming to a close, we go on deck to see night flight operations.  It is an impressive site to see.  We watch several waves of launches/landings and each one more impressive then the last.  Several of our colleagues go to bed, but a few of us go up the bridge with the boss, mini boss and admiral as they are managing the flight deck.  So just a bit of background, the Boss manages the flight deck and essentially all the crew dealing with landings.  The Mini Boss is #2 and manages the activity to our right, the catapults/launches and movement of planes.  The Admiral is in charge of the entire carrier fleet.  Well we picked an interesting evening; there was a mishap on the deck.  The arresting cable got stuck on the nose cone of one of the F18’s landing and fouls the deck (no landings or takeoffs).  This is a fairly serious situation.  It is 10:30/11:00pm or so, we are on the bridge and everything is quiet as can be.  Everyone is doing their job efficiently and professionally.  They are telling us a bit of what is happening and then this quiet, normal evening is suddenly thrust into serious, deliberate and anxious activity.  The F18 is sideways on the deck, planes are circling up above low on fuel with only one tanker with fuel left in the sky.  The bridge is now very serious, people trying to find out the situation from the leaders of the deck.  The Admiral sits back and watches his team in action, expecting his well-trained leaders to take charge.  The mood is concern but the leaders are calm, professional and determined.  When the situation is the most serious, these leaders are focused and calm, as they process through problem-solution sets. I am focused now on every word, every action as I watch this impromptu test of leadership.  A rare opportunity for a civilian to truly see our military officers in action and I am acutely aware.  The Captain calls the Boss and asks for an update.  The Boss is on it, calm and measured in his response. His 20 second summary does the job and he is off the phone, surveying the situation.  The crew on the deck is feverishly working to untangle the arresting cable from the F18 but the arresting cable is at full tension so it is unmovable.  The crew is banging the cable, jumping on it.  Looks dangerous to me but the crew are determined.  Another call from the Captain to the Boss, this time with a message.  I am so close I can hear the Captain speaking in the phone.  He says very clearly, “Slower is faster right now, safety first”.  The Boss agrees and calls down the flight deck now with hundreds of folks working feverishly.  He tells the chief he has a message from the Boss, everyone stops.  It is something to see, they are so calm yet my heart rate is off the charts.  The Boss tells the chief, “Slower is faster right now, safety first, this is coming straight from the Boss (Captain)”.  The flight deck chief stands up and points to his headset, everyone on the deck look on and he passes on the message. It as if everyone collectively takes a deep breathes down on the deck and back to work they go.  I am thinking to myself, wow this is impressive.   Various groups are doing their planning, rerouting the planes in air, getting another tanker, etc.  As the moments pass, it is only a few minutes but it seems so much longer.  There are only minutes before they have to divert the aircraft and risk a battle certification issue, time is short and pressure is mounting.  Suddenly the crew working on the F18 frees the arresting cable.  There is no celebration the crew moves quickly to get the deck clear.  Within another minute, planes are starting to land and the crisis is over.  I immediately survey the scene.  The Admiral is studying his troops, hand on chin paying close attention.  The Boss is leaning forward looking over the scene on deck; the Mini Boss is moving planes around assessing the damage to the F18.  The bridge has filled up with more personnel since the event started and those folks are starting to celebrate.  The event ends with the Admiral talking to the Boss and Mini Boss once the final plane has landed and flight activity has ended for the night.  An impressive demonstration of leadership, training and execution by our military! 

I could add so much detail here and maybe I will later but as this is a fly fishing site, I will simply move on by saying I am reminded of the importance of team work, leadership and calm in the face of adversity.

The big thrill of being on an aircraft carrier is the catapult.  I am picturing something like one of the amusement park rides, 0-60 in 2 seconds or something.  I have done them all without any problem so I am thinking no sweat, let’s have a blast.  After a couple days on a carrier, I feel like I am up for the challenge.  So we get on board, strap ourselves in and ready to go.  The plane is dead stop, the crew signal ready, here we go.  The catapult engages the plane and this sudden pressure against the body unlike anything I have ever felt.  It is unbelievable, ready, I was not ready.  I played a bit of college football and this is like getting a head on hit where you see stars.  0 to 120mph and taking off an aircraft carrier in 100’ is earth shattering.   It was like someone punched me in the chest, which is what I felt like.   The pressure against the body was like nothing I have ever felt.  Unbelievable, indescribable activity.  I don’t know how to describe other than once we were in air and flying, back to cheers and high fives!  I will say, when I look in the mirror the next morning I have bruises all around the straps from my shoulders to my chest. 

To close the trip, we get back to San Diego and have a night out with a couple of retired pilots to hear some incredible war stories, literally.   A perfect ending to a perfect trip.  Now that I have my first aircraft carrier landing and catapult, I got game.  So several of us go out with our friend and war hero pilot for a night of stories, good food and great company.  Killer trip!!  I am struck by these men and women of the USS Nimitz, the intelligence, the passion and commitment.  There are only two words that can summarize my trip PRIDE and HONOR.  I was proud of all these sailors and marines and it was an honor to be among them for just a short while.   Something I will never forget.