My Big Day!

[W.R.Buchanan]

I had an experience today that few people get a chance to do.

I got to go on the USS Mobile Bay, A Ticonderoga Class, Guided Missile Cruiser. You can go here for an overview of the ship. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mobile_Bay

I am designing and hopefully building a fixture to aid in the alignment of the Weapons Systems and was invited on to take some measurements to further the design.

I have to tell you all,,, this is one serious piece of **** kicking machinery!

I was duly impressed by not only the ship itself, but the crew from the EO down. Many of whom I met and talked to. I was 3x the age of most and 2x the age of the EO, and they were all very courteous and glad to see me. We are in good hands as long as they are allowed to fight and not ordered stand down.

I did have some problems negotiating the numerous ladders and stairs going up and down thru this ship and when we finally got to the rear array after climbing 4 sets of 60 degree stairs and two vertical ladders, It took me about 10 minutes to catch my breath. Going down was much easier. I am now rethinking that Goat Hunt I was looking at.

After seeing this ship up close, and seeing all the armament first hand,,, I came to the conclusion that anybody who picked a fight with this guy,,, was making a big mistake.

I actually turned and saluted as I walked away.

It was a good day for Buchanan Precision Machine.

Randy

[RKJ]

I retired in 99 and I don't believe I could handle those ladders anymore. I server on Carriers and only spent a 1/2 day on a small boy (way too small for me) :) but have heard nothing but good things about the Ticonderoga class ships. Those ships are in good hands, today's military are every bit as good as we were, (or our fathers & grandfathers were). Just different social experiments. Thanks for helping outfit our ships & Sailors.

[pworley1]

I enjoyed your post.

[varmint243]

I spent about three years on the USS Brewton FF1086
IMO The tin can Navy is the only place to be :D

[WV Mountaineer]

Awesome!!!!!!! God Bless

[RKJ]

I spent about three years on the USS Brewton FF1086
IMO The tin can Navy is the only place to be :D

No way! :) I remember being on the Kennedy and watching the plat cameras and seeing our escorts being swallowed up by some of the troughs. You guys were getting pounded while we barely noticed it. Plus the Passageways are too narrow. :)

[JonnyReb]

God Bless Sir (s). I enjoyed the read.

[Mtnfolk75]

Another Tin-Can sailor here, USS Jesse L. Brown (DE-1089) from January 1973 until May 1975. And USS Kinkaid (DD-965) from June 1975 until June 1978, I finished out my Naval service at NAB Coronado in September 1980. Pre-Comm'd both the Tin-Cans and worked Base Security Police at Coronado. Had a great adventure, but it was time to do the LEO gig for real money ...... [smilie=s:

That, plus SWMBO's was tired of Sea Duty ...... :bigsmyl2:

[Mk42gunner]

Every time I went from shore duty to sea duty, I lost 10-15 pounds. I always thought it was from the constant movement and more balanced meals.

Robert

[w5pv]

I never saw a post that called any of you break water sailors.lol.Don't know when or where I heard the term but we use to have a pretty large mothball fleet docked here.God Bless each and all

[jeepyj]

It's nice to have a nice memorable day like that once and a while.Congratulations!
jeepyj

[leebuilder]

Good post Randy
i have been out a year now, miss the guys alot. The rest is just a memory.
Going to sea is like going to jail with a chance of drownding
Fair winds and following seas
be well

[StrawHat]

Any day aboard ship beats any day on shore.

Kevin

[Echo]

Thanks for the post - as an Airedale, the only time I was on a ship was on museum ships (Texas, Midway, &cetera), but we are all brothers...