Not really...
Why?
The musings & rants of 3 retired military (2 USAF, 1 USN), 1 former WSO, and 1 AF brat. Old AF Sarge, Juvat, Tuna, LUSH, and Beans.
The musings & rants of 3 retired military (2 USAF, 1 USN), 1 former WSO, and 1 AF brat. Old AF Sarge, Juvat, Tuna, LUSH, and Beans.
You missed an "E" ticket ride!! I did 3-1/2 years on a Gearing class destroyer in the south Pacific. I was told it was the only surface ship that got submarine pay!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I understand that. Both older kids did time in tin cans and have exciting stories to tell.
DeleteI did 2-1/2 on the Air Force version of a carrier, Okinawa. The wind and rain were something else at times, but the old girl never pitched and rolled at all.
I have never seen a camera get a picture of waves that show how large they actually are. I have been in waves that you give a "yee haw" and when you see a picture they look like one could take a small boat out in them. Just look at the spray coming onto the flight deck (about 85 or so feet above the water line) on the bird farm and how calm the ocean looks.
ReplyDeleteFunny, now that you mention it that is weird.
DeleteOf course, that second picture (can't tell if it's a Spruance or a cruiser) looks a bit rough doesn't it?
Definitely a Spruance- no angled superstructure with a SPY-1 radar is one indication.
DeleteGood ship-spotting tip Tuna! (My gut said Spru-can but the Air Force side of me kept saying, "You don't know for sure." Now I won't forget!
DeleteOddly enough, foul weather ops is one of the things I kind of miss about being at sea. I can smell the air from the kind of weather in that Prowler photo. In cold weather we used to stand in the exhaust of A-7s spotted by the island to keep warm. Good times.
ReplyDeleteYa know I get that, Pogue. I really do.
DeleteI have been at sea once in foul weather. It was a cruise to Bermuda. 20 foot seas, 40 knot winds. It was exciting seeing the waves break over the bow. Well, I thought it was cool, the Missus Herself stayed in her rack the whole day groaning, man was she seasick.
Didn't do engine exhaust to stay warm on the flight line in Korea. We used the -60 power cart exhaust, such as it was blowing straight up. But it was better than nothing.
And there is something about nasty weather that makes you feel alive. Definitely!
I've never heard a foul weather story from SN2, not ever. And he's done a LOT o' time at sea, in frigates, DDGs, and on a cruiser (MONTEREY). I'm gonna have to ping him about that.
ReplyDeleteI did get a foul weather story from the Naviguesser. Was an exercise in the Caribbean. Everyone on the bridge was puking, he was yelling "Yaahhhoooo". My son described it as better than any amusement park ride. Ever!
DeleteThe Nuke has never mentioned the weather at sea. As you ping SN2 I'll be pinging the Nuke.