Saturday, September 4, 2021

OK-3¹

Capt. Rovenolt (CAG of CVW 5) lands an F/A-18E Super Hornet from
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Aug. 17.

(U.S. Navy/Lt. Kale Nickels Full Article)

Flights to Dulles then to Sandy Eggo were smooth, and most importantly, on time.

Getting the rental car was almost too easy.

Checked into the hotel, got this view -


Works for me, no carriers in port anyway. At least this way I can see work from here.

Not sure if that's a plus or not. But hey, it's still a water view.

Now, it's heigh-ho heigh-ho, it's off to work I go.

The duties of a Subject Matter Expert never end. (It's pronounced SMEE and yes, it grates on my nerves too!)

Be seeing you.




¹ A well-executed carrier landing, as graded by the LSO. The ideal "OK-3" pass catches the target No.3 wire. A pass so steady that the LSO suspects the Lord himself is at the controls rates an OK-3. An almost-OK pass is "(OK)." An OK-3 grade by the LSO in everyone's earshot in the Ready Room may be the greatest little high you'll have that day. Your chest comes out a bit, and that smile just suggests that you'd be willing to instruct the others, if there were only time. (Source)

26 comments:

  1. I was idly curious about the name of the cruise ship visible on the middle left of the photo, but according to G-Maps that location isn't the cruise ship terminal.
    A few minutes of zooming in with marinetraffic.com and I now know that it's the "Navigator of the Seas".
    I was a bit surprised to find that the program also tells the names of a lot of the boats/yachts that you can see in your photo.
    That mental itch is now scratched.

    There are times when I wished I was taller, but I never wished to be taller when I was on ships.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Odd that a cruise ship is there though. Maybe it's an available pier for a ship unused.

      Delete
    2. Tuna. Yep, I thought that was odd. I followed up with some more digging and found that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line shows that she will be cruising from Los Angeles and the first cruise is listed for 19 November.
      Maybe she is getting provisions?

      Delete
    3. I have no idea why that cruise ship is there. I'm guessing provisioning as well?

      Delete
  2. So you're a SMEE....could be worse......could have been a SHMOO (blame Mr. Capp). Some good sized toys in that marina Sarge but I'm partial to a 16foot jonboat myself, big enough to handle most lakes here looking for Mr. Largemouth. Enjoy the Western Sun & Sea!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am in Oceanside.
    Later today I am going to deliver a small chest freezer to the Number One Son and Daughter in Law in Wildomar.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I always thought the title "Graybeard" had a nice ring to it. Many years ago I learned much from a Graybeard who got his start recording telemetry from early Russian missile tests while stationed at a signal intercept site in Turkey.
    -Barry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, I like that. Sort of a Gandalf-ish sort of thing!

      Delete
  5. Lovely view Sarge. Enjoy!

    (Yes, I deplore the phrase "SME". I pronounce it SME instead of SMEE because SMEE sounds like something terribly silly and child-like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I usually go with "pro from Dover." (See the movie M*A*S*H,)

      Delete
  6. I look at just one of those boats as a shop and all the tools and pieces you'd need to make a living with. I never really understood the desire to have one. That, and if water is over my ankles I get antsy. Growing up in the dirt with mud puddles was okay by me. If my boat had a flat, how would I walk home? Shiver me timbers.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boats have always fascinated me. Not enough to join the Navy, but fascinating nonetheless.

      Delete
  7. Being a contractor, are you working through the weekend and the holiday? Less people on USS Boat to be in your way I suppose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why yes, yes I am.

      Had a great day Saturday, nobody in the way!

      Delete
  8. Start calling yourself a "SMaX" and you could be the "SMaXimum" or even the "SMaXimum Prime" or something.

    "Smee" sounds like a cat fart. Yes, I know what a cat fart sounds like. I used to schlep for my wife's cattery. And lots of weird memories linked to said cattery.

    As long as the glowing orb of pain does not rise his/her/its fiery head and shine into your room at dawn, a hotel room is a hotel room. Also nice when said glowing orb of pain doesn't shine his/her/its fiery death rays upon your room during the hot part of the year.

    Have fun, stay sane, do good works, yada yada.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No sunrises or sunsets from my room. So it stays nice and cool. (Last room had the better view, but at sunset you had to keep the blinds down!)

      Delete
  9. Glad your pilot knew how to land at Lindbergh. Was anyone in the bar at the Cortez Hotel?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, Lindbergh can be sporty!

      Had an aisle seat, so I couldn't check! 🤣

      Delete
  10. Too bad you can't get a different acronym for the experts, and pawn SME off as 'Silly Moral Equivalents'.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice view, Sarge -

    thought you might be interested in this article since you are working in the defense software industry -

    https://insidedefense.com/insider/air-forces-chief-software-officer-resigns

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is pretty nice.

      As to the USAF Chief Software guy, bah, just another suit selling a paradigm du jour. He sure talks a good game.

      Delete
  12. Hey AFSarge;

    Well you are a good "SMEE", so roll with it, Just don't say "SMEEEEEEE" when you board the big gray canoes that the Navy uses, (I know, I know..bad pun, bad pun...I will be here all week, don't forget to try the veal...and tip your wait staff). LOL I can see your eyeroll from here

    ReplyDelete

Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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