Peace Through Strength, Part 1
As our plane circled to land at San Diego International Airport, I still couldn't believe how truly lucky I had been to be selected for this unique opportunity. I was momentarily distracted by the view of the ocean and rolling hillsides topped with palm trees as we made our final descent to the perfect Southern California air, and I let my imagination wander again to what the next day would bring.
I didn't have long to wait. Early the next morning, my co-worker Ryan and I awoke and made the short drive across the Coronado Bay Bridge to Naval Air Station North Island. After a short wait in the parking lot where we met our fellow tour group members, we were promptly escorted onto the base and given several safety briefings about our upcoming flight on the COD (or "Carrier Onboard Delivery") mission. We learned that we would be facing backwards the entire time in the C-2, for our safety. We were warned that the C-2 is not a commercial aircraft, so we shouldn't be worried about exposed hydraulic fluid and oil leaks. We were told that we couldn't have any loose items on our bodies as we landed, for fear of it flying around in the extreme deceleration and hurting someone. After this comforting information, we were outfitted with a "horsecollar," a green inflatable safety device that fit over our necks like its namesake, and "cranials," partial helmets that offered eye and ear protection and at least nominal skull protection if something fell on our heads. We would become very familiar with the cranials over the course of our trip. The air crew also offered up some "foamies," regular dime-a-dozen foam earplugs. They suggested that we'd need them in addition to our cranials. They were right.
I could tell the C-2 had arrived by the noise of its props first, even through my foamie-and-cranial covered ears. We were lined up and marched out to the open mouth of the COD, then stepped up and strapped into our surprisingly comfortable seats and four-point harnesses just like the video showed us. After checking to see how many hydraulic leaks were around and finding none, I settled in for a fairly smooth 45-minute flight out to somewhere in the Pacific.
Before I knew it, I was startled awake by the overhead announcement that we were getting close to the ship. I managed to snap my first blurry shot of the USS Ronald Reagan as we banked to make the final approach to the trap. From then on, all I could see out the COD's window was ocean... until a margin of black asphalt crept into view, and the air crew signaled that we were ready to land, and then my entire body was pressed flat against my seat, breathless and strained, going from 105 mph to a standstill in two seconds. No King's Dominion rollercoaster can ever compare.
From the second we set foot aboard the 4.5-acre flight deck, our group began the dizzying pace that would continue for the next 24 hours. We were rushed into the island for our safety and corralled into Captain Kraft's office, which was bedecked with Ronald Reagan memorabilia. The Captain gave us a warm welcome, introducing each of his key senior staff and our tour guides before sending us on our way to the officer's mess for lunch.
This is a good time to mention that the food on the Reagan was exceptional, and we sampled all three mess halls: those for the officers, Chief Petty Officers, and crew. The idea seems simple: everyone has to eat, and good food seems like an excellent way to remind the crew of home and keep them happy and productive. To that end, the Reagan is a multiple Ney award winner, which is apparently the Navy food equivalent of the Oscars. The most elaborate mess hall was the CPO's, which was decked out in the image of Ronald Reagan's California ranch, the Rancho del Cielo. Like in every other area in the tour, the crew (especially the chefs) was extremely proud of their work. Our stomachs thanked them, too.
The other great part about the meals on the Reagan was that we had a chance to mingle amongst the crew and get a feel for what their life aboard the ship was like, without any diplomatic filters. It was here that I really began to see how young most of these sailors and pilots are, as well as how proud they all seemed to be doing something positive with their lives. They were honest with us about their fears and how night landings were always scary. They came from all corners of the country. Not all of them planned to stay in the Navy, and a few had complaints about interpersonal politics, but even those seemed glad to have a purpose and a clear plan for the future. During a tasty dinner with the one-star Admiral who was reviewing the training exercises, I chatted with the First Lieutenant who talked about how he tried to instill leadership qualities in every sailor under his care. In the Rancho del Cielo, we talked to two of the guys who worked in the reactor room and tried to get them to let us catch a glimpse of it (they wouldn't). Overall, it was there that I got an even greater appreciation for the chiefs that really keep the ship running.
To Be Continued...
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Dude, you flew through San Diego? If you should have any kind of layover here on the way back, let me know and I can show you some of my city. :)
Hey Matt, thanks for the offer, but this entry is a write-up of a trip I took a few weeks ago. I wasn't in San Diego for very long, either. But if I ever get back that way, I'll let you know!