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ON THE ROAD WITH HELOISE ABOARD THE HARRY S. TRUMAN
Wow! What else can you say about landing in an airplane on the worlds newest and largest nuclear aircraft carrier? Double wow and then some. When my husband David and I were invited to spend a day and night aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) a VERY BIG ship, we said yes faster then going from 105 miles per hour to 0 in two seconds. This "deceleration" is exactly what we experienced during the "trap" or "hook" landing in a C-2A COD (carrier on-board delivery) Greyhound. Believe me, it's just like you see in the movies or on a T.V. show.
We literally hit the ground running and didn't stop until it was time for lunch with the crew. They had a "chow" line to rival any cafeteria with everything from hot entrees, soups, a salad bar, fresh fruit, hot dogs, pizza and fresh baked cookies among the desserts. We spent the rest of the long day visiting The Distance Learning Center where sailors can take classes via the internet to get a GED, college degree or a masters degree. On to several of the kitchens and mess halls and the ice cream dessert bar that seemed to be a real favorite. The massive hanger deck is where they work on the airplanes, take breaks, have exercise classes and more. I got to visit (being the only female among 12 visitors) 'Female Birthing' and "heads"..where they sleep and use the shower etc. It reminded me a lot of a collage dorm or summer camp, not plush but livable. Late into the night we watched from Vulture's Row as all types of planes & helo's landed and took off in the dark. The work still must go on! Most memorable to me was getting the chance to meet and watch the "crew" do their jobs. The flight deck (the average age is about 20 years old) seemed like an orchestrated rodeo or rush hour traffic. It went from planes landing and taking off in a matter of a few minutes of each other, moving to a "parking" spot and the next one comes aboard or takes off, to everyone standing around watching the sky and waiting for the next flight deck action.
From the sailor on "watch" on the fan tail of the ship (* see photo) who's job is just as important as the male and female pilots who land and take off from this massive floating city, to Bosons Mate 1 Tony Cochran who showed us the over 1000ft long anchor chain with it's massive links (365 lbs. Per) that brings up the two anchors, each weighing 30 tons. One of my favorite comments that most of us can relate to was from one crew member who said, "oh, I really like being on this ship because it's so new, there isn't as much scraping, painting and repair like on older ships." Gee just like your house or car! A Heloise observation: with 30,000 light fixtures, 2000 telephones, over 18,000 meals served daily and a flight deck that is 4.5 acres large, plus a crew anywhere from 3000-6000 people this ship seems to run smoother then some households I know! My compliments and thanks to all who helped us. The 2 chiefs ATC Jack Weatherford and AOC Charles Himes who were our tour guides, to photographer PH3 Michael Hursey who ran up and down all those "ladder-stairs" all day long with us to Public Affairs Officer Lt. Greg Hicks, and all the way to the top, Executive Officer Captain John L. Green who gave us a very thorough safety briefing among all the things he has to do. At the very top Captain David. L Logsdon, commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) it was a pleasure being on your ship and oh by the way, thanks for the great hat!
If I were younger, wanted an exciting challenging career, and a chance to "see the world" I would surely give serious thought to joining one of our services. As it is, I'll continue to bring you helpful hints and hope for real life 101. Ahoy, Heloise
I wouldn't trade this astonishing experience for a million dollars, and would happily "trap" and " cat" again for a chance to meet the people who do their jobs day in and day out and deserve a big thanks from all of us. Soft Landings as we say in hotair ballooning. More On the Road with Heloise
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