A Sailor's Goodbye

The U.S. Navy released the above photo of Petty Officer 2nd Class Dylan Bagdasarian saying goodbye to his wife and daughter in San Diego on May 8, 2017, before setting off on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of responsibility aboard the USS Lake Erie. 

The photo was taken by Seaman Lucas T. Hans.

Note: You can click on the photo to enlarge.

Pacific Perspective

The U.S. Navy released the above photo of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt traveling in the Pacific Ocean during a tailored ship training event off the coast of Southern California on  April 30, 2017.

Note: The photo was taken by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Clayton.

You can click on the photo to enlarge.

Retiring The Colors On The Aircraft Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

The U.S. Navy released the above photo and below caption:

NORFOLK (April 16, 2017) Sailors assigned to the color guard aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) retire the colors. Dwight D. Eisenhower is pierside during the sustainment phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP).

The U.S. Navy photo was taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew J. Sneeringer.

Note: You can click on the above photo to enlarge. 

Cool U.S. Navy Photo: Forward Cover

In the above U.S. Navy photo taken by Petty Officer 3rd Ryan U. Kledzik, a sailor provides forward cover during a training exercise in the Atlantic Ocean, March 17, 2016. 

The sailor is a member of the visit, board, search and seizure team aboard the USS San Jacinto. The guided-missile cruiser is conducting the exercise with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to prepare for a future deployment. 

Cool Photo: Rainbow Forms Over The Bow Of An Aircraft Carrier At Sea

In the above photo a rainbow forms over the bow of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Pacific Ocean. 

 

The U.S. Navy photo was taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ignacio D. Perez.

 

Note: You can click on the photo to enlarge.

Cool Navy Photo: Guided-Missile Destroyer Fires MK 45 5-Inch Gun

PACIFIC OCEAN,April 16, 2013: The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) fires its MK 45 5-Inch lightweight gun during a board of inspection and survey (INSURV) rehearsal.

The Curtis Wilbur is part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, in support of regional security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The above U.S. Navy photo was taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gregory A. Harden II.

Note: The photo can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Cool (And Sad) Photo: Young Son Waving Goodbye To Dad Shipping Out On An Aircraft Carrier

In the U.S. Navy photo above, the son of U.S. Navy Electrician's Mate 1st Class Randall White waves to his father's ship, the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), as it transits San Diego Bay Nov. 30, 2011, after departing Naval Air Station North Island on a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific region.

The photo makes me glad that I was 18-years-old and single in 1970 when I too shipped out from Naval Air Station North Island and San Diego Bay on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk. 

Like the Vinson above, we too sailed to the western Pacific region (WESTPAC).   

The USS Kitty Hawk went on to spend nearly a year off the coast of Vietnam and performed combat operations in support of the ground troops in South Vietnam. We also visited such ports-of-call as Honolulu, Hawaii, Sasebo, Japan, Hong Kong, and Subic Bay in the Philippines. 

My time on the carrier would not have seemed such an adventure if I had been married and had small children at home.

My heart goes out to the U.S. military men and women who are separated from their spouses and children, especially during this holiday season.         

Cool Photo: U.S. Navy SEALs In Training

In the above photo a Navy SEAL climbs up a ladder attached to the side of a gas and oil platform during training to prepare an upcoming deployment on July 26, 2011.

The U.S. Navy photo is by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam Henderson.

You can click on the photo to enlarge it.