Experience of a Lifetime
Continued from page two.
We were taken to the flight deck to observe daylight landing of planes (with tailhooks extended) and those taking off by catapult. We actually stood about 50 feet away from these planes and could feel the heat of the exhaust, plus the strong winds generated by the planes and by nature. During these training exercises, the planes either did "touch and go" landings or landed and were caught by the cables. After landing they moved over to the catapult area (of which there were four, but only one was in use). The "shooters staff," who attaches the plane to the catapult, does it with a lot of hand signals and radio contact with the pilot. After they are positive that everything is "go," they wave their hands in such a way that the pilot knows to rev the engines. At this time a baffle comes up out of the deck behind the plane to deflect the jet exhaust. When the right thrust is reached, the "shooters staff" signals for release and off they go by catapult. I would say the catapult may be a little longer than a block. They are airborne in seconds. We were told that they go from 0 mph to 160 mph in 3 seconds. The wind on the flight deck was very, very strong, but the sea was very, very calm. The day was clear and a few clouds were in the sky.
We were told that when they are practicing landing and takeoff, or when there is any flying activity around the carrier, one of the (I saw four) helicopters aboard is aloft, ready to pick up pilots or others from the sea. Safety precautions were very evident everywhere. We noted all the "shooters staff" wore life preservers, etc.
Below the flight deck is the hangar deck. I would estimate that the ceiling is at least 60 feet high, and the floor space is at least as big as a football field. There are four elevators that can bring planes down to this deck from the flight deck. Each could hold two planes. These elevators are really outside the perimeter of the hull, and come down the side of the ship to the hangar deck. The openings to the elevator are 50' high, and about 75' wide (EST.). We did not see an elevator in use.
While on the hangar deck, we watched the refueling of the gas-turbine powered destroyers, USS Mincher and USS Gonzales. The carrier had not done refueling since June, but it was a common thing during deployment. The carrier has a capacity of 3.4 million gallons of fuel for other ships and their planes. When the destroyers drew alongside, lines were shot from the cruiser to the carrier. The cruiser crew pulled the hose across to their ship, which was about 300 feet (est.) from us, and traveling at the same speed. We noted that the cruisers both had helipads fore and aft, and had a gattling gun in the front, in addition to large guns in the front and back.
We later had tours of the armory where all the bombs are assembled, and where missiles are located. The bombs are dropped from planes, but the carrier uses missiles really for their own defense against other missiles. I was impressed with the inventory records that must be kept for these things.
We also visited the heart of the ship (I would call it the command center), from which the whole ship is operated. Admiral Cullom personally explained this operation to us, and it was quite detailed. There are really two areas in this center—one for the aircraft and their operation, and the other for the "Ike" and its operation. Of note was an electronic radar screen (like a computer monitor) which was about 8' x 6'. Vessels 500 miles away from us could be identified--it must have been electronic, not radio--by name. I personally saw a "Dole" freighter, plus many others. An unidentified ship on this screen causes immediate scramble to check it out.