a ride on the reagan

AIRPAC JOURNAL
A RIDE ON THE REAGAN
SANTA BARBARA SEA CADETS SET SAIL
WITH THE CREW OF THE USS RONALD REAGAN
August 22-24, 2005
This journal memorializes AIRPAC’s cruise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.
It is a collection of thoughts, photographs, and other impressions of the three days spent amongst
the officers and crewmembers who proudly serve our country aboard this magnificent ship.
Jeff Modic
Sea Cadet Instructor Officer
AIRPAC Squadron
Santa Barbara, California
A RIDE ON THE REAGAN
SANTA BARBARA SEA CADETS SET SAIL
WITH THE CREW OF THE USS RONALD REAGAN
By Jeff Modic
Sea Cadet Instructor Officer
AIRPAC Squadron
Santa Barbara, California
August 22, 2005, Santa Barbara, Calif. – Following three days of city-wide
celebration and down home Santa Barbara hospitality, the USS Ronald Reagan
CVN-76 and her crew silently weighed anchor Monday morning and set sail on a
return trip to her home port of San Diego. On board, amongst her 3500 crew
members were 15 members of Santa Barbara’s Sea Cadet AIRPAC Squadron.
AIRPAC Squadron, so named after the Navy’s Command Naval Air Forces – U.S.
Pacific Fleet, is comprised of local youths between the ages of 11 and 17 who
regularly train together to develop seagoing skills along with a higher sense of
team work, patriotism, courage, and self-reliance.
Sponsored by the Navy League of Santa Barbara little over a year ago, and under
the able leadership of its Commanding Officer LTJG Chuck Eskew, AIRPAC has
rapidly developed into a top-rated squadron with a capable command, able cadets
and a ship-shape reputation.
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Boarding the USS RONALD REAGAN
As Captain Don’s boat ferried the Sea Cadets from the Santa Barbara wharf out to
the Reagan in the pre-dawn hour, the four officers and 11 Sea Cadets of AIRPAC
watched in wonder as the newest, biggest and most powerful warship in the world,
loomed out of the ink black night and towered over them in twenty stories of aweinspiring majesty.
Approaching the Reagan at the bow, few lights appeared to be burning and there
was little on-deck activity to be seen. The carrier appeared to be like a great
sleeping giant – one you would not want to be around should it suddenly awake in
a bad mood.
Rounding the stern of the ship and nuzzling against her fantail, the first signs of
life could be seen. With flood lights blazing and the ship’s crew in assistance, each
AIRPAC officer and cadet in true Navy tradition, saluted the Colors, and then
saluted the Officer of the Deck who readily granted permission to board.
‘Nuzzling’ up to the fantail
Boarding consisted of awkwardly performed ballet steps from Captain Don’s
bobbing charter boat, followed by a “graceful leap” through a three by eight foot
hatch carved in the side of the great steel behemoth.
Once inside the Reagan, the visual transformation was instantaneous and profound.
In stark contrast to the cool, quiet, darkness outside, the ship’s interior spaces were
warm, well-lit, and every compartment and corridor was bustling with activity. It
was 0500 hours, and the giant carrier was stirring from its quiet slumber and
rapidly transitioning into a bustling metropolis. The work day had begun and the
Reagan was in full preparation for getting underway.
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Getting Underway
Immediately after boarding, AIRPAC members were escorted to the vast hanger
deck. Home to over 80 aircraft when the carrier is fully armed, the hanger bay was
an immense enclosed area whose size and space would rival the largest convention
center. There we witnessed another transformation. The crew was busily removing
and storing the equipment and decorations used in the prior evenings “Taste of
Freedom” -- a social extravaganza hosted by the Santa Barbara Navy League.
Within hours the trappings of the party would be stowed, and the ship would then
be ready to receive the trappings of war. Commencing 0900 hours the Reagan
would begin on-loading nearly 20,000 tons of bombs, missiles and other munitions
while at sea.
At 0545, we felt a subtle shudder under our feet which seemed to permeate the
entire ship -- a latent signal that the Reagan and AIRPAC were underway. One
could only imagine the four 66,000 pound propellers slowly coming to life below,
and powerfully cleaving the water in order to create the hundreds of thousands of
pounds of thrust necessary to move the Reagan. If anyone doubted we were
underway or was too busy to notice, the ship’s boson pipe sounded and the simple
announcement over the loudspeaker of “underway”, removed all doubt.
Not long after getting underway, the ship’s company conducted a man overboard
drill. The shrill trilling of the boson’s pipe, followed by the blare of “man
overboard”, were quickly followed by rapid-fire reports from throughout the ship
of “all men present or accounted for, sir!” Within minutes, the Captain of the
Reagan knew exactly who of his 3500 crewmen were on board and who, if anyone,
had not made it back aboard. You couldn’t help thinking, “may the Lord have
mercy on any seaman missing Reagan’s departure”.
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Settling In
From the hanger bay, AIRPAC was escorted to its berthing quarters – female
cadets went aft and male cadets forward. The quarters available were those of the
absent air crews. With few aircraft on board there was an inventory of nearly 1500
vacant bunks from which to select our accommodations for the next few days. The
berthing quarters AIRPAC selected were located in the bowels of the ship – in the
spaces where the carrier lives and breathes. The compartments assigned were welllit, compact and comfortable and could easily sleep 200 to 300 of our closest
friends. The Sea Cadets had come aboard to experience and appreciate day-to-day
life aboard this American warship – and that is exactly what we received.
Comfortable and cozy
Once settled and gear stowed, AIRPAC was ready for breakfast. It was 0630, and
breakfast would be our first priority. When it comes to eating -- and you’re on a
ship that can serve over 18,000 meals per day -- you quickly learn “you snooze,
you loose and you go hungry.” We were informed that at 0700 breakfast would be
over and the mess attendants would begin setting up lunch for 3500.
Breakfast, as were all our meals, was taken in the crew’s mess – an intimate dining
experience where we gathered regularly to eat, drink and make merry with, you
guessed it, a few thousand of our closest messmates. It was here, the Sea Cadets
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were able to meet crew members at each meal and learn more about what it is like
to work and live on the Reagan.
During our ride, we would have the opportunity to meet and visit with many
members of the Reagan’s crew. Overall, we were struck by their universal
friendliness and the unanimous appreciation they expressed for both Santa
Barbara’s hospitality and the generous support of the Santa Barbara Navy League.
They really enjoyed the Friday night reception at the Carriage Museum, the
softball game and the Sunday night’s “Taste of Freedom” festivities on board.
Overall, their feelings were best summed up by a young sailor who stated, “Santa
Barbara is the most awesome liberty port that I have ever seen!”
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Our Escorts
Without any doubt, anyone visiting the Reagan should seriously consider
requesting an escort while on board. Not for security reasons mind you, but for
insuring your picture doesn’t end up on the back of a milk carton! The Reagan is
large of course, but it’s her tens of miles of “Rube Goldberg” walkways that are
daunting. If you can, imagine what it would be like to wander about in a 100 acre
corn maze -- better yet, picture yourself navigating a million square foot hamster
habi-trail --that’s what it is like moving throughout this carrier. We were told it
takes a good four to six months on board, before really getting comfortable with
Reagan’s floor plan.
The escorts assigned to AIRPAC were all Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Selects.
Selects are Petty Officers “selected” for promotion to a senior rank of Chief Petty
Officer. The most prideful moment in an enlisted sailor’s life is when he or she
attains the rank of CPO. In attaining the CPO rank, a sailor not only attains godlike authority over the enlisted ranks, but is then able to enter “at will”, the
hallowed halls of the CPO mess. During the months leading up to their formal
promotion, selects are subject to rigorous training and personal development
challenges. No doubt being detailed to AIRPAC as our escorts and tour guides
certainly qualified as the latter.
We found that all the CPO Selects that spent time with AIRPAC, were personable,
professional and very knowledgeable about the inner-workings of the ship. Most
were in their thirties and had been in the Navy for 10 to 15 years. They were all
very proud of their ship, their careers and genuinely enjoyed sharing with the
cadets, their knowledge and experiences of the Navy and the Reagan.
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Touring the Reagan
Touring the flight deck we were awed once again by the Reagan’s mammoth
proportions. The 4.5 acre flight deck is 1100 feet long. That’s as long as the
Empire State building is tall. There we witnessed a rainbow colored line of crew
members as they performed the foreign object debris walk. The so called, “FOD
walk” is performed by the flight deck crew three times per day to insure there
aren’t any foreign objects (i.e. rocks, bolts, clips, wire) on the flight deck that could
get sucked into an aircraft engine – destroying the engine, aircraft and possibly
pilots and ground crews. This FOD walk is just one of the many examples of how
intense life aboard the Reagan can be at times. Attention to the smallest of detail is
mandatory. A lapse or failure to perform at 100% may result in loss of life and/or
millions of dollars of equipment. Regular training and drilling and absolute
adherence to regulations and safety standards is what allows the Reagan and crew
to effectively carry-out their mission.
Reagan crewmembers conducting the FOD walk
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By 0900, the supply ship USS Rainier had come along side and matched Reagan’s
speed of approximately 12 knots. Crews on both ships quickly engaged in the
transferring of 20,000 tons of munitions to the Reagan. They would be so engaged
much of day.
USS Rainier steaming along side
Helicopter lifting missile off Rainier
While access to the flight deck was restricted during the on-loading, we toured the
carrier’s island spaces. The island is that piece of real estate seen perched upon the
flight deck appearing as an island protruding from a flat sea – hence its name. We
visited the Captain’s bridge, Admiral’s bridge, and the Air Boss' bridge. Each of
these privileged perches provided glorious views of the munitions loading
activities on flight deck below.
Visiting the Captain's bridge
Observing flight deck activities below
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Manned by a small army of college-age men and women below, the cadets
watched in spellbound fascination as crewmembers expertly received and
maneuvered the tons of munitions being shuttled by helicopters between the two
moving ships.
Helicopter ferries missiles from the supply ship
Munitions awaiting transport below
During the two days AIRPAC spent on board the Reagan, what was truly amazing
is the myriad of places throughout the ship that our CPO escorts were able to take
us. We felt that the Reagan was ours to explore – with virtually few limitations on
what we could see and questions we could ask. Some of the areas that were a big
hit with the cadets included a visit to the foxhole, where they viewed the massive
anchors, and to the reactor area, where they learned about the immense generating
capacity of the twin reactors. During a tour of the ship’s brig, they somehow got
themselves locked up. The cadets visited the ship’s library, met with the Chaplain
and toured Reagan’s on-board television station. They also received a thorough
introduction to CDC, the combat control center of the Reagan Carrier Group.
Cadets tour the flight deck with CPO escort with
Island and Admiral's barge in the background
Cadet donning safety equipment
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When the cadets entered the CPO Mess, all you heard was, “wow what a place!”
An island of comfort and relaxation, the CPO mess is a dining room and lounge
tastefully decorated in a Rancho Del Cielo theme. Rancho Del Cielo was President
Reagan’s “Western White House” ranch located in the hills above Santa Barbara.
Rancho Del Cielo Ranch mural located in the CPO Mess
The creature comforts of the CPO Mess are just one of the many upgrades we
observed throughout the ship. Some of these improvements have been made
possible through the generous support of the Santa Barbara Navy League.
In June of 2000, the Santa Barbara Navy League officially adopted the USS
RONALD REAGAN and has been subsequently raising money to fund
improvements to the ship’s livability. These improvements provide the crew of the
Reagan with enhancements and accoutrements to their living spaces which are
designed to improve the quality of the sailor’s life aboard.
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City Life
By any standard of population and with the significance of what they do, the USS
RONALD REAGAN is truly a small city. They have everything resembling a city
– a post office, dry cleaners, seven-eleven and a shopping mall. The average age
of the crew members looks to be about 21 -- so email, movies and video games are
pervasive throughout the ship and are delivered via two satellite dishes and nearly
1000 flat-panel displays distributed throughout the ship. The crew’s view of the
outside world is maintained via CNN and FOX News which is broadcast via bigscreen TVs in all the dining areas.
Indeed, Reagan is a small city which has it all -- including tragedies. Tuesday
morning the AIRPAC cadets and two hundred and fifty crew members attended a
memorial service for a Reagan shipmate who had passed away in his bunk Sunday
night. The Chaplain reminded all crew members that they live together in a
compact area where everyday they work, eat, play and deal with life’s issues – and
sometimes even death. He also reminded everyone that each person on the Reagan
has a mission-essential role to carry out and the joys, sorrows, successes and
failures of any one person may influence everyone on board.
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A Very Special Moment
There came a very special moment for AIRPAC Monday evening, when we were
summoned to pilot ready-room nine. As we entered, twenty CPO Selects that had
gathered there came to attention, and compellingly recited the Navy’s Sailor’s
Creed to us. They recited in unison…..
“I am a United States Sailor. I will support and defend the Constitution
of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those
appointed over me. I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those
who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the
world. I proudly serve my country’s Navy combat team with Honor,
Courage and Commitment. I am committed to excellence and the fair
treatment of all.”
In response, Santa Barbara AIRPAC Squadron came to attention, and recited the
Sailor’s Creed back to the CPO Selects. Not all cadets knew the creed by heart –
some did, some read it, most were in unison, but the return gesture was
spontaneous and appreciated. In those few special moments, an unspoken bond
was forged amongst all who were present -- a bond not between Sailors and Sea
Cadets, but a bond between shipmates. That was a big “takeaway” for us all.
AIRPAC cadets recite the Sailor's Creed
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Arrival San Diego
Tuesday afternoon, the Reagan arrived at Naval Station San Diego North Island –
home berthing for the Reagan. With the Reagan transitioning from an “at-sea
warship” to essentially a “dock-side navy base” there was a little time to visit with
a few of the ships VIPs.
Reagan’s Captain, Jim Symonds, took time out of his very busy schedule to meet
with AIRPAC and answer the multitude of questions the cadets had compiled as a
result of their two days aboard. He told the cadets that he had joined the Navy in
1975 and was a Naval Flight Officer for many years. He had over 4000 flight hours
in the A-6 Intruder and had performed over 1000 carrier landings during his flying
career. He assumed command of USS RONALD REAGAN in August 2003.
Probably the single most powerful advice he shared with the Cadets was his
philosophy that, “The secret to success is your attitude. Attitude is everything, and
you are at your best when you can start each day with a positive outlook.” Well
said, Captain!
Captain Jim Symonds with AIRPAC
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Another highlight of our ride on the Reagan was our tour of the on-board Reagan
Museum and the Captain’s “Red Room” cabin. This tour was made particularly
memorable by Master Chief Kathleen Hansen, who accompanied us on our tour.
The “Ronald Reagan Museum” was located just off the ceremonial quarter deck.
In it, we saw a piece of the Berlin wall and the President’s uniform from his Army
Calvary days. There were short videos to watch -- one of which was of his famous
“Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall speech” President Reagan gave in Berlin.
The visit to the Captain’s “Red Room” cabin was equally impressive. We learned
that Nancy Reagan is the ships sponsor and Captain Symonds’ in-port cabin is
decorated to resemble the First Lady’s favorite room in the White House, the Red
Room. The Red Room cabin is home to President Reagan’s personal desk which
he used when he was Governor.
Master Chief Kathleen Hansen with AIRPAC in the Captain’s “Red Room” cabin
Master Chief Hansen graciously spent some quality time we us -- answering the
cadet’s questions and sharing a little of her Naval background. She entered the
Navy in 1979 and had been deployed twice in two years for operations "Enduring
Freedom" and "Iraqi Freedom." She reported to the ship in March of 2004 and as
the Command Master Chief of the Reagan, she serves as the special assistant to the
Reagan’s Commanding Officer in all matters pertaining to the enlisted personnel
on board. Her “open door” policy allows any sailor to speak with her anytime
about anything including their health, job, morale, advancement, training etc.
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Special Thanks to the Santa Barbara Navy League
The officers and cadets of Santa Barbara AIRPAC Squadron wish to convey their
thanks and appreciation to Ms. Connie Los, Mr. Grant Ivey and all the Board
Members of the Santa Barbara Navy League. Your unwavering support and
encouragement of AIRPAC has directly contributed to the successes and
achievements of the squadron. It was truly our honor and pleasure to have this
opportunity to ride on the USS RONALD REAGAN.
Special Thanks to the Captain and the Command Master Chief
The officers and cadets of Santa Barbara AIRPAC Squadron wish to convey their
thanks and appreciation to Captain Jim Symonds, Captain of the USS RONALD
REAGAN, for his permission which allowed AIRPAC Squadron to “come aboard”
and spend three unforgettable days with him and his ship. And special thanks to
Master Chief Kathleen Hansen, Command Master Chief of the Reagan, for
providing the escorts which kept us out of trouble. The personal time you spent
with us made our visit that much more memorable.
Special Thanks to the Escorts
To all the CPO Selects assigned to escort AIRPAC while aboard, we thank you for
your time, energy, knowledge and professionalism. You really made a difference
in the hearts and minds of our young cadets. You “shared”, and in so doing, you
made the Reagan come alive for us. Five CPO Selects deserve special mention
here -- they are CPO Selects Orlando Garcia, Bryan Stanley, Theodosius Soiles,
Aaron Thaxton, and Danny Long. These guys are really special. Not only did they
treat us with genuine warmth and respect, but they spent a lot of their off-duty
personal time with the cadets and officers of AIRPAC. Gentlemen – you were our
shipmates, messmates, and AIRPAC is proud to call you our friends. A big
“muchas gracias” to five of the newest and finest CPOs in the US Navy!
CPO Selects Garcia, Stanley, Soiles, Thaxton and Long
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Special Thanks to the Crew
Last, but certainly not least, the officers and cadets of AIRPAC Squadron wish to
extend a very special thank-you to all the officers and crewmembers of the USS
RONALD REAGAN. You are truly AWESOME!
50 cal gun crew on guard entering San Diego
We shall never forget the time we spent amongst you, and will forever hold a
special place in our hearts for all the men and women who proudly serve our
country on this magnificent ship – or, as one seaman put it, “our four and one half
acres of sovereign US territory – delivered anywhere, anytime and with attitude!”
May your ship find safe passage in her voyages ahead, may the enemies of
freedom fall before you, and may Almighty God watch over you -- the officers and
crew of the USS RONALD REAGAN.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Modic is a leading authority on information management and information
warfare. While Chief Information Officer of ITT Federal Systems, Jeff was a
member and participant in President Reagan’s White House Conference on
Productivity. In 1982, he started American Information Engineering, an
information management services firm that advises private and public sector
clients on the strategic management of their information resources. Over the years,
Jeff has frequently interfaced with government officials and organizations
including the White House, the U.S. Congress, DOD, FEMA, the California State
Senate and the Governor's Office of Emergency Management.
Jeff’s most notable published works include THE REASONABLE PERSON’S
GUIDE TO Y2K, and a high tech suspense novel, NOTHING TO FEAR.
Jeff is a Vietnam-Era Veteran. He joined the fledgling AIRPAC Squadron as an
Instructor Officer in June 2005 -- approximately one year following its formation.
His son, Daniel, joined AIRPAC in March 2005.
Jeff lives with his wife, Susan, and their two children on their ranch near
California's Silicon Valley.
Should anyone have questions or comments regarding this journal, please contact
Jeff at [email protected].
Should anyone have questions or require additional information regarding the U.S.
Naval Sea Cadet Corps or the AIRPAC Squadron, please contact the AIRPAC
Squadron Commanding Officer, LTJG Chuck Eskew, at [email protected].
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