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CPL
Adrian Taylor returned to shore wide-eyed about his time
on the USS John C. Stennis.
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Photos
by LAC Mike Lucas
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LAC
Sean McLeod never thought he would one day be on a ship.
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The
flight deck of USS John C. Stennis at sunrise off the coast
of Hawaii.
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CORPORAL
Adrian Taylor and Leading Aircraftman Sean McLeod, both geospatial
imagery analysts, found themselves all at sea during last month’s
Exercise RIMPAC 04. They were on board the giant nuclear- powered
Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis.
But they were able to keep an eye on the skies once they found
their way around. “I didn’t fully comprehend how large a Nimitz
class carrier actually was until I was standing on the wharf beside
it,” LAC McLeod said.
“It seemed even bigger once I was onboard. “It took me a couple
of days to come to terms with the compartment numbering system
and learn my way around, which meant I no longer had to leave
a trail of breadcrumbs to find my way back to my rack each night.”
CPL Taylor also returned to shore wide-eyed about the Stennis.
“Only one word is needed to describe this carrier – massive!”
he said. “[It has] 2700 compartments, 10 levels heading up from
the hangar deck and another eight heading downwards. “However,
one thing that did stick in my mind and became the best piece
of advice was whenever lost get to the hangar deck and start again.
This worked very well.” Watching flying operations was highlight
for both of them. “Revving engines as they prepare to take off,
whoosh when they do, thump or bang depending on how softly they
landed were everyday noises from about 8am to 10pm each day during
normal flying operations,” CPL Taylor said. “I loved hearing
those sounds.
“The flag deck, although it required a 10-storey climb from the
hangar deck, is the best place for viewing flight operations
(also the highest spot available).
“I spent on average about two hours a day or night up there watching
Hornets, Super Hornets, Tomcats, Prowlers, Vikings, Hawkeyes,
Seahawks and the occasional Greyhound take off and land.
“Night operations were definitely the highlight of this exercise
and the Tomcat was easily the best to observe ... awesome power.
“The Fan Tail was another excellent viewing area located aft of
the carrier and one level down from the hangar deck. This was
where we watched the aircraft approach the carrier on their way
in to land on the flight deck.”
After
10 to 12 hours’ work in the Carrier Intelligence Centre, LAC McLeod
would watch the flying operations, too. “Standing on the stern
at night and watching the jets come in and land just over my head
is something I don’t think I will forget anytime soon,” he said.
“I have never taken so many photos in my life.”
Three
other Air Force members were at sea on US ships during Exercise
RIMPAC 04 to fully integrate multinational forces for exercise
warfare scenarios.
Uss
John C. Stennis: Mighty impressive facts
