USS Dwight D Eisenhower Homecoming Photos

I do so love military homecomings! The USS Dwight D Eisenhower strike group has arrived home after 5 months deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. My son was on that deployment, but oddly enough he watched his own ship come into port --- from the pier!

IKE pulled into Mayport, Florida 2 days ago before steaming on up to Norfolk. Scott debarked at that time and flew home to Norfolk to get a head start on his own return home. So, today when IKE came through the Chesapeake Bay and into port he was there to take pictures (because I begged him to!). And he got some fantastic photos!

Even though it is very late and I should be in bed, I just have to post these tonight. I cry at military homecomings. Don't tell me these pictures don't make you just a little misty, too!

Welcome home sailors and aviators of the IKE! Thank you for your service and sacrifices. God Bless You and God Bless the USA! Go Navy!

(Thanks for the pictures, Scott.)

Thematic Photographic #56 --- Aviation

Carmi at Written, Inc. just posted the theme for this week's Thematic Photographic.

Since the theme is aviation.....

and since today cyberspace is full of photos of the visible shock wave created by the Navy's new F-22 Raptor as it breaks the sound barrier......

Petty Officer 1st Class Ronald Dejarnett, USN
Reuters
Library of Congress
U.S. Navy
NASA
Department of Defense

June 22: A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor creates a visible shock wave as it passes over the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in the Gulf of Alaska. The visual effect is created by moisture trapped between crests in a sound wave at or near the moment a jet goes supersonic.

and since I have some of my own photos of FA-18 Hornet supersonic shock waves......

it only made sense that I reprise some photos from my cruise-of-a-lifetime aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN69).

Gorgeous! I never get tired of looking at photos of our Navy's aircraft, especially when their power creates such a beautiful phenomenon of physics.

This new theme just started over at Carmi's, so you have plenty of time to get in your photos of aviation. Check it out and all the terrific photos from contributors.

Honors Ceremony Aboard the IKE

Many of you know that my son Scott is deployed with the USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN69) Strike Group Eight, currently in the North Arabian Sea.

On Saturday, June 20, Command Master Chief Jeff Garber, 43, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep. Scott sent me the following photos of the Honors Ceremony as well as the letter sent to CMC Garber's wife and family. Knowing the camaraderie of the military, I can nearly feel the the atmosphere on the flight deck as CMC Garber started his final journey home. The letter from the Commander of Air Wing Seven describes the ceremony and the respect for a man who touched so many lives and served the United States proudly.

Here are the photos and the letter:

"Amy (and the entire family),

Jeff is on the way home. We had a very moving honors ceremony here onboard IKE in the North Arabian Sea on a beautiful Monday morning. I'll tell the story via the pictures I'm sending one at a time to keep the e-mail sizes manageable.

As you can see in the attached picture (it can be "zoomed" to see individuals if you'd like) there were well over a one thousand shipmates that came up on the flight deck to bid him farewell from IKE. The CVW-7 and ship Master Chiefs arranged everyone by colored jerseys for the farewell - the pictures are fantastic. Every day Jeff wore a different colored jersey to show support for all the departments within each squadron, green for maintenance, red for ordnance, brown for the plane captains on the deck, etc. The IKE did an absolutely fantastic job arranging the flight deck, preparing for the ceremony and recording the entire event.

He came up from below decks on the #2 elevator in front of the island, the same elevators we use to bring the aircraft up from the hangar bay when they are ready to go flying. Carrying the casket are the CVW-7 staff Chiefs, followed in procession by the CVW-7 squadron Command Master Chiefs and the IKE's CMC, Brian Exum - all in white CMC jerseys like the type Jeff wore at times also. Music began playing over the entire flight deck as the casket moved towards the C-2 Carrier Onboard Delivery aircraft, or COD as we call it. As Jeff was loaded into the aircraft, a final rendition of Taps left no dry eyes on the deck. It was so very special Amy. I'm confidant he heard the music and was watching it all from above.

We will send back the video of the ceremony with one of my staff officers who's leaving soon so that you can see the entire ceremony whenever you'd like. I'll tell you that it is Navy tradition to render honors to a fallen shipmate in the manner done for Jeff; I've just never been a part of such an outpouring of emotion and honor for one man. He was truly loved out here, as I know he is at home.

Steaming alongside was the USS Vicksburg, an Aegis cruiser that is always nearby the carrier and works closely with us all. Her Captain, CAPT "Chuck" Nygaard had his crew man the rails in whites as an honor to Jeff and all that he stood for and did for the entire IKE Strike Group team. The ship cutting through the blue sea with the Sailors standing at attention in whites, manning the rails, was very impressive. She was flying her largest American Flag she only flies on very special occasions when she is rendering honors. She was also flying pennants (flags) on her mast that spelled out "Fair winds Master Chief Garber."

One last thing I'd like to share with you and the family involves the entire theater of operations for Operation Enduring Freedom. For us to have quiet time on the flight deck for the ceremony in the middle of our time flying missions over Afghanistan, the USAF changed the entire schedule for air support into Afghanistan - support that includes large tankers that fuel us and strike fighters that covered our "normal" periods in the skies over Afghanistan. I'm sure CMC would have had it no other way - we launched F-18 strike fighters, EA-6B Prowlers and E-2C Hawkeyes early this morning to fill the skies over Afghanistan protecting those in harms' way on the ground, and were able to pause for the ceremony because of the entire effort by the U.S. military. They did this in honor of Jeff, who by the way (and no surprise here) made a big impression on the Air Force Major General (Maj Gen Raaberg) in charge of all of the flying in Afghanistan and Iraq when he came to visit IKE. Jeff personally briefed him and ate an early breakfast with him and the crew. As a matter of fact, General Raaberg flew his B-1bomber near IKE the night after Jeff passed away and rocked his wings as an honor to Jeff as he flew past. From the 3-star Admiral and Commander of the Navy's Fifth Fleet here in theater to the Second Fleet Commander in Norfolk to so many in our great Navy, to the entire United States Air Force over here, Jeff was well known, loved and most respected. Thank you for sharing him with us Amy - it has been an honor. It was so very hard to say goodbye to him today, but we take comfort that he is headed home to be with you all - his most beloved family.

On behalf of all of CAG-7 and with the utmost sympathy,
CAPT Calvin Craig Commander, Carrier Air Wing SEVEN"


God bless America! God bless the U.S. Navy and all Armed Forces!

USS Dwight D Eisenhower Through the Chesapeake

The main reason my mom and I made the trip to Norfolk, VA was to see my son off on his next voyage. He is a Navy officer on board the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower and they are on their way across the Atlantic. We watched the ship as she cleared the Chesapeake Bay. I've posted photos on my other blog Made For Keeps.

Stop by and have a look! What an amazing sight!!

USS Eisenhower Family Day -- End of Day

As the day drew to a close and we reentered the Chesapeake Bay, the pace of the people and the speed of the ship significantly slowed down. All day long it was interesting to watch people: sailors with families showing off their workplace and enjoying time that maybe they don't have together often. Now and then I would watch a story unfold that I just had to tell in a photo or two.

The photo below tells a sweet story that needs no words. But it was the photo moments before that I missed. In the background you see a bearded gentleman who seemingly is just sitting casually as so many were that day. Just moments before, the young sailor was was sitting along side the young lady in an embrace that had his head against her back. I nearly sneaked a photo of two people, obviously a young couple, taking in a few precious private moments. Just as I homed in the bearded gentleman approached and sat down with them. The couple quickly changed their positions to face each other. For a few moments they weren't touching at all. Then it was as though the magnet of affection drew their hands together and I stole this shot. I happened to see them again in other places, hands tightly entwined.



_____________________________________

These two people seemed to be enjoying a pleasant conversation while the ocean breeze blew over them. The lack of uniforms indicates that they were guests of the Navy on a behemoth-turned-cruise-ship-for-a-day.

______________________________________

Along the perimeter of the ship are a variety of observation decks, many quite small. The folks below found one that was out of the way and provided a great view of the trip back into port. We exchanged some friendly conversation with them and, as we turned to leave, I snapped this shot. The young lady looked at me and grinned, "I knew you were going to do that!" Yep, it's what I do. They were fine with that. One would guess that she was spending some precious time with her Navy beau, but who knows?

______________________________________

The day started before sunrise for many who came aboard so by the time we returned to port we had been on the ship for well over 13 hours. Scattered about the flight deck were folks taking in the sun and cool breeze.... and maybe a few zzzzs.

______________________________________

This is actually photo 3 of 3 of this family taking a rest on one of the service carts. The first showed the man laying back as though napping and the woman sitting and watching what everyone else was watching --- whatever that might be. The second photo showed the woman had succumbed to the laziness of late afternoon and was laying back. Then this photo with their child snuggled on her mother for a rest.

_______________________________________

I love these photos of the sailors with their girlfriends/wives taking in as much time together as possible. While many sailors mustered on deck as they were granted leave time, others, as possibly with this sailor, would be returning to their work stations after their loved ones left the ship. My heart went out to couples like these.

_____________________________________

This mother and her son were next to us on the bleachers. It appeared as though his leave was ending (he's in civvies). My son enlisted nearly 12 years ago, but I remember these types of moments early in his career, especially when he was off to Japan. A mother's embrace is unmistakable, no matter how old the son. Except that my son would be mortified if I held him like this now! (No worries, I get my share of hugs! He really takes good care of his dear ol' Ma'!)

______________________________________

It is fitting that a ship named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower would be nicknamed "Ike". So all the more fitting that the passageway at the base of the island would display the 1950's era campaign pin design -- proudly, I might add.

_____________________________________

The evening light casts a very different glow on the ship as people were methodically debarking. Those brows, or staircases, coming off the elevator platforms could hold only a limited number of people, so the process took some time. The steady stream of departure actually made the traffic out of the parking lot far more controlled. I can think of sporting venues that could learn from this --- though I think it would bring on near riot attitudes.

**************************************************

My last photo of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. I love this shot with the sun setting at her stern. I was exhausted, exhilarated yet very reluctant to leave. I wanted to sit there until she was shrouded in darkness and fog again as we had found her that morning. But I know that when she is underway again, with my son and thousands of mothers' sons and daughters on board, they will be safe and sound in service to this great country.

GO NAVY! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

USS Eisenhower Family Day -- Around the Ship

I'll soon be wrapping up this series about the USS Eisenhower Family Day in another post or two.

Just a few interesting shots from around the ship:

We "landlubbers" would call these 'doors', but on the ship they are 'passages'. The sailors call them 'knee knockers' because they have to lift their knees high to step over them. I call them 'tripping shin shockers' because I was forever tripping on them and banging my shins. In a passageway as long as this one there are passages every 20 feet or so, in line with the frames of the infrastructure. This picture might look like mirrors in a carnival fun house, but is actually one of the longest uninterrupted passageways on the ship.

At the end of the day all the tables were cleared out and the visitors were debarking. The hangar bay began to look more like a hangar bay. It was easier to imagine this area being full of fighter jets. The ship can hold up to 60 aircraft and many of them are in the hangar at any given time. It is one of the most awesome areas on the ship. Thankfully there are no 'knee knockers' here.

Around the flight deck there are large mesh nets or catwalks. The nets are to catch objects falling over board. The catwalks can do the same, but are also for moving from place to place, and moving to the lower decks. This is what the catwalks are made of and I'm sure the sailors think nothing of it. But that is the sea down below and I found it very disconcerting walking on them --- now I know what vertigo must feel like.

At the end of the day the sunlight was bouncing off the water. In the windows of the island are reflections of the sea below. Those windows are very thick; I don't remember exactly, but well over an inch. They block out nearly all the sound of the jets.

The fantail is Scott's favorite place on the ship to get away for some "quiet" time. I can see why he likes to go out there. One can spend hours getting in touch with himself, the sea, and his creator.

After the air show was over many of the visitors went back to the hangar bay for more food and fun. A couple hundred stayed on deck near the stern to be part of a photo op: spelling N A V Y on the flight deck. Those folks can barely be seen off in the distance. At this point we were back up to full speed and the wind made it difficult to stand still. By the way, this shot was taken with only an 85mm lens, not wide angle or anything fancy. It is just that from the bow the stern is a quarter mile away!

USS Eisenhower Family Day -- Air Show

Probably the most exciting part of the entire day was the air power show. We not only saw the F-18s and Super F-18s flying loops, making dives, and breaking the sound barrier, but saw actual landings and take-offs from the flight deck. Impressive defense operations included bombing imaginary enemy submarine targets and air defense fire power to defend land troops.

Here are some photos and, again, I love-love-love my Canon 40D! Having my own burst power of 6.5 frames per second helped me to get many of these shots.

With the bleachers already full, my son and I stood near the bow for the air show. There were thousands of people also standing, so I was not able to see the actual landing and take-off operations, of which there were four. In the photo above an approaching F-18 is visible. The flight deck is 1,092 feet long so that jet is not even a quarter mile away when it catches the arresting cables.

This jet was just lifting off the deck on take-off.

This is another jet taking off. I got it a little higher this time.

Another successful launch!

After the flight deck demonstration the crowd was encouraged to move port side for front row seats for the rest of the air show. Yes, they are dangling their feet over the edge, about 90 feet over the open sea. In some areas of the perimeter are catwalks with equipment and stairs to the lower decks. In other areas there are heavy metal nets. Those spectators are dangling their over the nets.

For aircraft that routinely break the sound barrier, soaring at only 100 mph is a near stall. That's what this pilot was doing as he flew past the ship. It seemed to be in slow motion and very quiet.

In flight fueling is a critical operation and requires precision.

I don't know the physics involved, but the vapor cloud was so clear on the high-speed fly-bys.

Beautiful, isn't it? The sound barrier has not yet been broken.

This is my favorite photo and I am a little proud of it (a lot). This jet had broken the sound barrier and at this moment we heard only silence. Very eerie --- then BOOM!

In formation are the planes that participated in the air show. They flew out to the ship from the Oceania Naval Air Station in Norfolk.

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all those pilots who have the skill, dedication, courage and guts to land a jet on a piece of tarmac that looks like a postage stamp from their altitude. Add to that the speed of the ship and the swells of the sea and each flight operation is no less than a calculated miracle. Thanks, guys! Go Navy!

There are a couple more segments of this adventure I'd like to share. So, coming up are some interior shots and candids of people on board.

USS Eisenhower Family Day -- Flight Deck

After driving 600 miles today we are in Lexington, KY, headed for home tomorrow. But I just had to put out a few more photos from last weekend. Here are some pics from the flight deck:

Flight deck from the bow. I couldn't even get the full length and width in one frame. The total area of this deck is 4.5 acres.

The "island".

Part of one of the catapult tracks that launch the jets.

Not sure what this is called, but I call it the trigger. It is what the jet attaches to that takes it down the catapult track. The handsome guy in uniform is my son. :-)

One of the "shooter" lookouts which is nearly in the middle of the flight deck, between the catapults. This person has the final decision on a jet launch and actually pushes the button to the catapult.

The other shooter lookout at port side. The red and blue lights are signals to the jets coming in for landing.

We made many, many, MANY trips up and down these ladder wells. They are very steep and actually easier to go up than down. Up they are like a ladder with really sturdy handrails; down the treads aren't deep enough for even my size 7s --- very awkward. The guys just slide down using the rails. Scott spent a lot of time waiting for me --- and laughing.

Coming up: Air show at sea! Some great shots coming up --- I LOVE my Canon 40D!