January 26, 2011
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The Dream Come True
Since I was a kid, I was always fascinated by war films and was in awe of the might of the US military (which now looking back was just me being suckered to pro-US/democratic propaganda during the Cold War). Even now, I would take time to read up military planes, ships and history (on Wikipedia). Not long ago, during my free time I marked scoured the US coast using Google Earth and managed to seek out most of their aircraft carriers. Movies like the 1976 made Midway made be believe that these floating boats were symbols of power and might. I had a chance to set my eyes on one in 2007 when the USS Kitty Hawk was in Sydney, already I thought I was the most blessed person on the planet.
However – beyond my wildest dreams, on the 24th January 2011, we were (extremely-off-the-scale) privileged to be granted access to visit the USS Carl Vinson. Now, for me to just see a carrier 4 years ago was enough to leave me mind boggling.. to actually set my foot and touch a US Carrier – a nuclear powered Nimitz-class carrier, which currently is the biggest in the US Navy.. would just be an experience that will qualify me to enter Tanjung Rambutan when we’re done.
It all began with a tip-off from Lawrence Tay that another Navy ship is making port in Malaysia and we were given the invitation to visit their ship (we had earlier received the crew of the USS Dubuque weeks back). In another conversation, he confirmed that it was a carrier. From then on, there was no stopping me from getting on that ship. This trip was opened to 30 of us and many Boys showed their keen interest when this announcements were made.. some with absolutely zero doubt they would want to be on that ship.
The morning of the 24th itself we gathered at the bus stop of SMK Taman Desa at 7.20am (and I hate waking up early, but no choice since I was heading this group), the Boys were asked to come in their 3rd KL Company Blue t-shirts (something which will haunt me forever – I initially wanted them to wear full uniform). We left for Port Klang and was told to reach no later than 9am. We were spot on time at the former Star Cruise Terminal, now called Glen Cruise. We checked in at the guard house where I traded my IC for passes.
At the guard house, we could see the first clues of the carrier – several fins above the tree line which indicated the presence of jet planes. Any tiredness at that point was replaced by seer excitement. When we were allowed to drive in we were greeted by marines and sailors all erect and smiley (they were wooden boards giving us directions to to the car park). At one point after a major turn, we could see the “Island” of the carrier. Freaking awesome. But nothing was to compare to what we had in store an hour later.
I said an hour because apparently our tour guide was late. We were the group of many groups to visit the ship that day. A high ranking officer, who is also the ship’s public relations officers was on his way back from KL. Apparently he was caught int the jam and it was only by 10.30am we were allowed to move on. While waiting, we spent some time talking to one or two of the US Navy sailors, all dressed in camo dress.. looked almost like Marines. Some off-duty shipmates were also sporting enough to take pictures with our Boys. It was certainly a constant flow of personnel in and out of the ships (two ships were docked).. but that’s to be expected when the Carl Vinson was capable of housing 5 thousand people (about 3000 were aboard at the time).
Soon after 10.30am, our “tour guide” returned, all dressed in ceremonial wear. We spent no time clearing “immigrations”, which are scans for security reasons. This was after all, the most valued asset of the United States.
Once we were on the pier, the sights were simply overwhelming – a full view of carrier (minus the center section which was blocked off by the pier’s roof). Right beside it was it was the USS Bunker Hill, a Ticonderoga-class Missile Cruiser which would’ve been pretty impressive on its own, but since it’s bigger sized brother with a big 70 next to it, it was pretty much overlooked. Our guide mentioned that their battle group consist of another 2 destroyers which made port in Singapore instead – truly a major PR job for this US fleet. Earlier on chatting with one of the sailors, they revealed that they just came from South Korea – something which certainly rang a bell as it was all over CNN where the North Korean’s artillery striked their Southern brothers, prompting a “joint exercise” between the South Korean and US Navies.
Continuing in the walk to the ship, we were able to see their hangar bay, which was inside the ship. Little did I realize at that point that it was our first stop. The first foot on the carrier was onboard the ships massive elevators, capable of carrying multiple aircraft at a time. Entrance guarded with a single armed personnel with an M16, all smiles and the hangar bay evidently in “exhibition mode”. We were split up into two groups and which basically taken for a stroll towards selected sections of the ship.
First stop was an introduction of the ships emergency equipment, mainly those to put out fires. We were also introduced to several pilots to talked about their F/A-18 Fighter and Seahawk helicopters. The following stop was the ship’s museum, which was basically a memorial dedicated to US Congressman Carl Vinson of whom the ship was named after.
We made our way topside which was a long narrow walk through the ship’s less impressive interior. Some of us were still trying to grasp the reality that we were even on the ship. But our next stop proved to be the most thrilling part of the trip – a visit to the flight deck. I initially believe that this would be a restricted area. I mean, who would allow a bunch of kids and unknown outsiders to within literally zero distance to all their gear and aircraft. Too good to be true but were truly there on the flight deck. For a military buff like me, that was truly emotional. We were allowed to walk to the edge of the angled flight deck, with most of the ship’s F/A-18’s, hawkeyes, seahawks and another aircraft packing the deck. There was probably more aircraft there than YMCA’s carpark can ever fit.
Standing on top of the freaking flight deck baby!!!
The next spot was to be the bridge, a 4-5 storey climb via ladders, passing through the Executive Officer’s and Captain’s quarters. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed inside.. and it was too bad we couldn’t see C&C.. which was basically their war room – for understandable reasons.
Despite such a short list of stops, it was already an hour which has passed. We made our way back to the hangar and final stop. Some of the Boys had a chance to buy souvenirs, but unfortunately they required US Dollars which only Mr Terence and Han Sheng had.
Soon, it was a say goodbye to the carrier.. and I doubt I’ll ever have another chance of seeing, yet alone setting foot on one.
I would like to thank the YMCA, particularly Mr Ivan Christie for giving us this once in a life time opportunity.
Probably the closest any of us will ever get to US military equipment. Thank you God!
