Well Guys since there has not been a whole lot of good post about our Military, I thought I would re-post an old post of my Tiger Cruise onboard the USS Nimitz in 2012 when Son was the Air Boss
Yea I know this was 11 years ago (WOW how time flies) but I'm pretty sure not much has changed in the ranks, just talked about more issues.
This story is about YOUR Navy and YOUR Ship. This is not about me wellllll maybe a little bit.
First off what the hell is a Tiger Cruise you are probably asking. Here is a good explanation.
USS Nimitz Tiger Cruise May 24- 26, 2012
What is a Tiger Cruise? When an aircraft carrier is coming home from deployment they give relatives or friends a chance to meet the ship and cruise the rest of the way home with them. The relatives are called "Tigers." The families sleep in bunks just like the sailors. No fancy guest rooms on a warship! They eat in the same galley as the sailor. No fancy restaurants either! Since the Nimitz was not returning from deployment in ways it worked out better. Without the Air-wing on board it allowed the hangar bay open for activities and more berthing was available. There were a little over 600 Tigers on board.
Now for how the TC came about. The City of San Francisco wanted the Nimitz to come and be a part of the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. This was quite a celebration with fireworks and all that stuff. The City went way overboard for the Sailors when they were onshore. Lots of nice stuff for them to do. This is a different Navy. Not the one of the Drunken Sailor on liberty. That doesn't work anymore.
Since the Nimitz had been in the yards for about 15 months this was a good opportunity to get some more Blue Water time before going on the RIMPAC Exercise that it is now on. While my Son and DIL were at the Captain's house for a mandatory fun event. My DIL suggested to the Captain that they should make a TC out of the trip to San Fran.
Well as they say the rest is history and time for me to pack my Sea Bag.
Like I stated this is about Your Navy and Aircraft Carrier both of which are among the finest in the World.
This is about. The Captain that welcomed us aboard and made it perfectly clear we were on a US Warship and it was being run as a Warship. Must be why it's painted gray and not white. Along with the Coast Guard escort to Blue Water and the 50 Cals on the sides and stern being maned. Don't remember that being done on our Alaskan Cruise Ship. He also wanted us to know that the Sailors were doing their jobs the way they were trained and had a ship to run. So they would not be able to spend all their time with their Tiger. This was great it allowed us to see our sailors do their job. And what a great job they do.
How about the Battle Group Admiral that broke away from a group to come and make it a point to tell me how important my Son's job was and how Great he was doing at it. Remember there are only 9 Air Bosses in the Navy so they are well known.
The Navigator who told me we would be going under the Golden Gate at 1300. Well the bow or stern didn't it was the Bridge of the ship that went under the center at 1300.00 by the clock in the tower. Now that is boat driving. This ain't your Grand-dad's 14' outboard we are a riding on.
The Reactor Officer and Dept had a glitch in one of the reactor computers that would not allow the HOT ROCKS to come on line. No steam no leave the dock. They spent 30 hrs checking out over 3000 terminals so we could leave the dock on time.
How about the Supply Officer that comes up 10 decks to bring cookies to the guys in the Tower. The Tower is where Son works along with 10 others during flight ops.
The time the Gun Boss/Weapons Officer takes showing off his toys. He has some pretty nice ones and shows what they will do. I think he can shoot his Sea Whiz faster than I can shoot my Ole 3 screw. That's OK I can out shoot the Ma Deuce for 5 rounds.
The Cooks that prepare some very fine food. Like Steak and Lobster the first night. This wasn't just for the Officers it was for the whole crew and Tigers.
The Sailor that has only been in for a few months and is assigned to the Wardroom (Officer's Mess) He is asking us did we enjoy the meal as he takes away the dinner ware. And doing it with a smile and a Sir.
There was one Sailor that was in the Air Dept with a PG Wife. Well guess what she had the Baby,their first,while he was on the cruise. My Son asked him . "Why in the world didn't you ask me for time off". His answer and I was there. "Sir I have a job to do and besides I didn't want to miss the trip" My Son made it a point to get him on the first ferry taking us to shore so he could get to the airport as soon as possible. He had to fly back to Seattle. As we were getting on the ferry which was by rank, so we were the first getting off the Ship. The Seaman was with us. The SP in charge of the off loading told him he would have to wait with the Enlisted to get off. Not a real good thing to say. Son made it quite clear he was with us and would be getting off with us. Yes Sir was the response.
When you see how proud the Mother or Dad is of her Son/Daughter as they are shown around the ship or having mess with them. Just think this is a 18 year old kid that could have been in less than 6 months to a year. He is showing them around his ship and they are living and eating the same way he is. How cool is that. I never got to do that in the USAF
Since I was Enlisted I can read the way other Enlisted guys act. I still get uncomfortable around Officers. Well not Son and Daughter. I still out rank them.
Well let me tell ya these Sailors are outstanding. You see them smiling a lot and when you ask them about their job they will light up and bend over backwards to show you what they do.
OK now it is time to try and explain what my Son the Air Boss does. This is a hard one to explain. Son was in the Navy 20 years and spent a lot of time on boats and he didn't know what they did until he became one. Other than he got yelled at a few times by them. Something like get that damn COD off my deck now.
He is in charge of around 700 Officers and Enlisted, it is the the largest Dept which is called the Air Dept. I'm sure that you have seen pictures and movies of a Carrier during flight ops. Well all of those folks except for the pilots are air ops. along with the arresting gear, Cat, aircraft on the deck and in the hangar bay as to where and when they are spotted/moved and aircraft fuels and others I don't remember. CRS
During launch and recovery he is in charge of all the planes in the air and on the deck. He says when a plane will launch and recover. The shooters/launchers are his guys.
He coordinates with the LSOs (airwing) along with Captain and Navigator for wind and angle across the deck.
I spent my time in the tower during the air show. WOW I can't tell ya all that takes place and the team work involved with the 10-12 that work in the tower and all on deck and below. All of this just to land or launch a few planes. Now you ask what does he do when they don't have air ops, which is very seldom. Remember this is an aircraft launcher and lander boat.
He still has an office that he works from doing the paper work for 700 folks.
Something I didn't know about the air dept. They do not stand watches as ships company does. So what that means is they have one real long shift. How would you like to be working on a wet,cold/hot windy 20-35kts flight deck for 12-15 hours. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
Well guys I could ramble on and on but I'm sure you are bored enough already.
Let me assure you that this was a FANTASTIC trip and once in a lifetime experience for me.
Being with my Grandson and Grand-daughter was also very rewarding. Now the Grand-kids have a better understanding of what carrier life is like and the job their Dad does. As a side note Grandson had to keep taking me places because I would always get lost. Remember I worked on a flight line and could see where I needed to go.
I hope I gave you a little insight into YOUR NAVY. Trust me it is great one and I for one am very proud of what they do and who they are.
Don't screw with the US Navy and Marines.
Thanks for reading,
Jim
Welcome aboard Dad
Yea I know this was 11 years ago (WOW how time flies) but I'm pretty sure not much has changed in the ranks, just talked about more issues.
This story is about YOUR Navy and YOUR Ship. This is not about me wellllll maybe a little bit.
First off what the hell is a Tiger Cruise you are probably asking. Here is a good explanation.
USS Nimitz Tiger Cruise May 24- 26, 2012
What is a Tiger Cruise? When an aircraft carrier is coming home from deployment they give relatives or friends a chance to meet the ship and cruise the rest of the way home with them. The relatives are called "Tigers." The families sleep in bunks just like the sailors. No fancy guest rooms on a warship! They eat in the same galley as the sailor. No fancy restaurants either! Since the Nimitz was not returning from deployment in ways it worked out better. Without the Air-wing on board it allowed the hangar bay open for activities and more berthing was available. There were a little over 600 Tigers on board.
Now for how the TC came about. The City of San Francisco wanted the Nimitz to come and be a part of the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. This was quite a celebration with fireworks and all that stuff. The City went way overboard for the Sailors when they were onshore. Lots of nice stuff for them to do. This is a different Navy. Not the one of the Drunken Sailor on liberty. That doesn't work anymore.
Since the Nimitz had been in the yards for about 15 months this was a good opportunity to get some more Blue Water time before going on the RIMPAC Exercise that it is now on. While my Son and DIL were at the Captain's house for a mandatory fun event. My DIL suggested to the Captain that they should make a TC out of the trip to San Fran.
Well as they say the rest is history and time for me to pack my Sea Bag.
Like I stated this is about Your Navy and Aircraft Carrier both of which are among the finest in the World.
This is about. The Captain that welcomed us aboard and made it perfectly clear we were on a US Warship and it was being run as a Warship. Must be why it's painted gray and not white. Along with the Coast Guard escort to Blue Water and the 50 Cals on the sides and stern being maned. Don't remember that being done on our Alaskan Cruise Ship. He also wanted us to know that the Sailors were doing their jobs the way they were trained and had a ship to run. So they would not be able to spend all their time with their Tiger. This was great it allowed us to see our sailors do their job. And what a great job they do.
How about the Battle Group Admiral that broke away from a group to come and make it a point to tell me how important my Son's job was and how Great he was doing at it. Remember there are only 9 Air Bosses in the Navy so they are well known.
The Navigator who told me we would be going under the Golden Gate at 1300. Well the bow or stern didn't it was the Bridge of the ship that went under the center at 1300.00 by the clock in the tower. Now that is boat driving. This ain't your Grand-dad's 14' outboard we are a riding on.
The Reactor Officer and Dept had a glitch in one of the reactor computers that would not allow the HOT ROCKS to come on line. No steam no leave the dock. They spent 30 hrs checking out over 3000 terminals so we could leave the dock on time.
How about the Supply Officer that comes up 10 decks to bring cookies to the guys in the Tower. The Tower is where Son works along with 10 others during flight ops.
The time the Gun Boss/Weapons Officer takes showing off his toys. He has some pretty nice ones and shows what they will do. I think he can shoot his Sea Whiz faster than I can shoot my Ole 3 screw. That's OK I can out shoot the Ma Deuce for 5 rounds.
The Cooks that prepare some very fine food. Like Steak and Lobster the first night. This wasn't just for the Officers it was for the whole crew and Tigers.
The Sailor that has only been in for a few months and is assigned to the Wardroom (Officer's Mess) He is asking us did we enjoy the meal as he takes away the dinner ware. And doing it with a smile and a Sir.
There was one Sailor that was in the Air Dept with a PG Wife. Well guess what she had the Baby,their first,while he was on the cruise. My Son asked him . "Why in the world didn't you ask me for time off". His answer and I was there. "Sir I have a job to do and besides I didn't want to miss the trip" My Son made it a point to get him on the first ferry taking us to shore so he could get to the airport as soon as possible. He had to fly back to Seattle. As we were getting on the ferry which was by rank, so we were the first getting off the Ship. The Seaman was with us. The SP in charge of the off loading told him he would have to wait with the Enlisted to get off. Not a real good thing to say. Son made it quite clear he was with us and would be getting off with us. Yes Sir was the response.
When you see how proud the Mother or Dad is of her Son/Daughter as they are shown around the ship or having mess with them. Just think this is a 18 year old kid that could have been in less than 6 months to a year. He is showing them around his ship and they are living and eating the same way he is. How cool is that. I never got to do that in the USAF
Since I was Enlisted I can read the way other Enlisted guys act. I still get uncomfortable around Officers. Well not Son and Daughter. I still out rank them.
Well let me tell ya these Sailors are outstanding. You see them smiling a lot and when you ask them about their job they will light up and bend over backwards to show you what they do.
OK now it is time to try and explain what my Son the Air Boss does. This is a hard one to explain. Son was in the Navy 20 years and spent a lot of time on boats and he didn't know what they did until he became one. Other than he got yelled at a few times by them. Something like get that damn COD off my deck now.
He is in charge of around 700 Officers and Enlisted, it is the the largest Dept which is called the Air Dept. I'm sure that you have seen pictures and movies of a Carrier during flight ops. Well all of those folks except for the pilots are air ops. along with the arresting gear, Cat, aircraft on the deck and in the hangar bay as to where and when they are spotted/moved and aircraft fuels and others I don't remember. CRS
During launch and recovery he is in charge of all the planes in the air and on the deck. He says when a plane will launch and recover. The shooters/launchers are his guys.
He coordinates with the LSOs (airwing) along with Captain and Navigator for wind and angle across the deck.
I spent my time in the tower during the air show. WOW I can't tell ya all that takes place and the team work involved with the 10-12 that work in the tower and all on deck and below. All of this just to land or launch a few planes. Now you ask what does he do when they don't have air ops, which is very seldom. Remember this is an aircraft launcher and lander boat.
He still has an office that he works from doing the paper work for 700 folks.
Something I didn't know about the air dept. They do not stand watches as ships company does. So what that means is they have one real long shift. How would you like to be working on a wet,cold/hot windy 20-35kts flight deck for 12-15 hours. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
Well guys I could ramble on and on but I'm sure you are bored enough already.
Let me assure you that this was a FANTASTIC trip and once in a lifetime experience for me.
Being with my Grandson and Grand-daughter was also very rewarding. Now the Grand-kids have a better understanding of what carrier life is like and the job their Dad does. As a side note Grandson had to keep taking me places because I would always get lost. Remember I worked on a flight line and could see where I needed to go.
I hope I gave you a little insight into YOUR NAVY. Trust me it is great one and I for one am very proud of what they do and who they are.
Don't screw with the US Navy and Marines.
Thanks for reading,
Jim
There Are Tigers loose On The Nimitz
Well Guys First of all I want to thank all of you that requested to hear "My STORY" of the Tiger Cruise on the USS Nimitz. By not telling you about my experiences and feelings on board Nimitz would have been very selfish of me and not fair to you. This story is about YOUR Navy and YOUR Ship...
www.rugerforum.com
Last edited:
