tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post7988793405161015593..comments2023-10-02T01:53:29.451-06:00Comments on Naval Air Cowman: Light shines upon the hard pathPrairieAdventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-52490258923290027382022-03-24T04:55:15.771-06:002022-03-24T04:55:15.771-06:00for any query support related to any software and ...for any query support related to any software and hardware you can go to............................<br /><a href="https://technischeondersteuning.wordpress.com/2022/03/24/hoe-u-een-terugbetaling-kunt-krijgen-van-paypal/" rel="nofollow">PayPal Bellen</a>Elinathomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17169692998380075272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-37432671288943675532021-04-16T05:40:04.505-06:002021-04-16T05:40:04.505-06:00Thanks John. I'm alive and well. The muse is a...Thanks John. I'm alive and well. The muse is a bit twisted of late, bouncing between OCD and firetruck it. I'm in a very interesting and hard growing place where Alex's kids and her family are performing miracles upon my heart and soul. I am unspeakably blessed by those people, and by all of you kind readers.<br /><br />I'm also training my ass off and working on spring ranch chores. These things keep me grounded in reality. That's another major blessing.<br /><br />Thanks again!PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-2620395457758933412021-04-13T08:42:17.284-06:002021-04-13T08:42:17.284-06:00Welfare check, shipmate.
If the muse escaped t...Welfare check, shipmate. <br /><br />If the muse escaped the pasture, there are always CC reruns. Surely by now something must have sprung on the panhandle (albeit winter may briefly poop on your parade this week). Bet there are calves dropping all over your place. Widgets to be made, fitness records broken, etc. Your imaginary friends really do care about all that, along with the ongoing travails of family life.<br /><br />Hope all had a joyous Easter, mindful of the blessings it represents.<br />John BlackshoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-13181948372625069512021-03-28T16:38:44.650-06:002021-03-28T16:38:44.650-06:00Those nautical smells are powerful and bring a wav...Those nautical smells are powerful and bring a wave of memory to the fore whenever I encounter them. In my experience Brit, French, Italian, German, and Dutch ships have a similar smell, but each is also uniquely (to my nose) different. Fun to think about why that is.<br /><br />Thanks drjim.PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-53463008984587368842021-03-28T16:35:24.454-06:002021-03-28T16:35:24.454-06:00Pretty much the whole carrier. The flight deck has...Pretty much the whole carrier. The flight deck has a unique smell but it's out in the open and exposed to the elements so it fades quickly. The interior of the boat smells like an aircraft carrier, which to my nose is different than other ships. I think it's the admixture of fixed wing aviation and good ol' USN ship smell. The Midway has boat smell even though she's a museum now.<br /><br />And by the way, that song and video are AWESOME! Paddles never looked like that in my day! Great tune and great fun video. Thanks for sharing that cT!PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-47042558742033202972021-03-28T15:21:34.260-06:002021-03-28T15:21:34.260-06:00The odor in the Iowa has diminished some, but it h...The odor in the <i>Iowa</i> has diminished some, but it has the same smell that the Civvie ships I worked had. Combination of Marine Diesel #2, paint, sweat, food, lube oil, hot electrical equipment and many other aromas combine, and if you've ever smelled it, it's unique.<br /><br />My wife used to tell me I "Smelled Like SHIP" when I got home....drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-56544301070678331312021-03-28T15:12:47.221-06:002021-03-28T15:12:47.221-06:00the smell... of the flight deck? or the ship's...the smell... of the flight deck? or the ship's P-way? I've heard/read that the flat-top's flight deck has a unique smell of jet fuel, jet exhaust, burnt non-skid...um... i dunno... My time spent on an active flight deck might not even be 15 minutes in March 2009 somewhere out in the Persian Gulf. (it even MIGHT have been TR... I'm sure it was a Nimitz class, but not too many different options in 2009!)<br /><br />Ship's internal P-way on the otherhand. I wonder if it's a mixture of paint fumes and trace fumes from wiring insulation, etc, WHO KNOWS? Brand new warships. WW2 museum ships. Returning onboard after a LONG 4-day weekend. Ah yes, THAT smell. And talking about iowa... I live in that state right now...sorry...trying to add extra connection to this posting???<br /><br />I didn't realize Post Malone sings that song "circles" a catchy tune indeed, but an odd looking fellow... <br /><br />Here's another catchy tune you might enjoy, several different versions on the u tub, but i like this "world of warships" version the best! Blinding Lights. weeknd. (maybe you've seen it already?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSBqYANYXyw<br />v/r,<br />cTcarolina TURTLEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09666295964335123339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-40493532003434718172021-03-15T13:11:16.649-06:002021-03-15T13:11:16.649-06:00Besides the loss of 47 crew members, the Navy bung...Besides the loss of 47 crew members, the Navy bungled the investigation badly. I have the book "A Glimpse of Hell", and I've read the reports, and it was one screw-up after another, evidence was destroyed, they washed out the turret and repainted it before they returned to shore, things were thrown overboard, it wasn't properly photographed, the whole thing just stunk to high Heaven.<br /><br />https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Glimpse_of_Hell_(book)drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-36400861211734344262021-03-15T08:59:43.978-06:002021-03-15T08:59:43.978-06:00It was a tragedy, and compounded by a nasty, frenz...It was a tragedy, and compounded by a nasty, frenzied press corps and their special hidden naval sources of utter crap.<br /><br />Those guys at the breeches had a risky job. Shooting arty ashore or at sea is dangerous and there's precious little margin for error. In a way it's like fixed-wing operations on the flight deck; when everything goes right it's a wonderful system. But the physics is real, and the enormous kinetic forces in play can wreak utter havoc if their vector wanders into disasterland. With the big guns the forces are huge. When everything is sealed up tight and strong and the energy is contained inside a strong breech and barrel those 2,000-2,700 pound missiles charge out time and time again. Release even part of those energies into the turret and no human can survive the pressure and temperature.<br /><br />The flight deck crash I saw and worked early in my career was handled appropriately and objectively by the press. Their reporting often stung, but it was objective information which America needed to hear, ponder, and process. The frenzied garbage that spewed forth almost exactly eight years later was horrible.<br /><br />And it keeps getting worse.<br /><br />Not that I feel strongly about the subject! ;-)PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-80381995036957664552021-03-14T16:58:00.788-06:002021-03-14T16:58:00.788-06:00The Turret #2 explosion was a tragedy. The guy who...The Turret #2 explosion was a tragedy. The guy who was my "Boss" on the <i>Iowa</i> was onboard that day, along with several of the other volunteer crew who had served aboard her. His duty station was somewhere way aft, and he said he'd never felt so helpless as when it came over the MC1.<br /><br />Every year we had a memorial service on that day, and it was very somber. They have a Turret #2 section of the museum below the main deck.<br /><br />Turret #2 is still off-limits, while Turrets #1 and #3 have limited access to select groups.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-33065673050438267722021-03-14T08:57:13.899-06:002021-03-14T08:57:13.899-06:00That's really cool drjim. Slipped my mind earl...That's really cool drjim. Slipped my mind earlier but I was also on Iowa in '89, providing medical support when turret two blew up. Iowa's SAG was attached to Coral Sea's battle group. That was a pretty shitty day. I'd watched Iowa shooting her big guns (and secondaries iirc) only the day before. Those four BB's had an amazing run and it's such a great thing to have them preserved.PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-19603654451490796462021-03-14T08:50:59.813-06:002021-03-14T08:50:59.813-06:00I went down the rabbit hole reading about Captain ...I went down the rabbit hole reading about Captain Wiltsie and USS Liscome Bay. That's an interesting and inspiring bit of naval history I'd never known about. Those Gearings were interesting ships. I remember seeing German Gearing FRAMs operating in the mid- to late-1980's. If whackomedia is right Wiltsie is still in service with the Pakis though she appears to be welded to the dock.PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-87812694236153432292021-03-14T08:44:27.571-06:002021-03-14T08:44:27.571-06:00Yeah, that difference between negative and positiv...Yeah, that difference between negative and positive temps feels significant. We were at -22 one night back in February and +35 the next day. A 57 degree rise in air temp sure felt good. Right now we're at 32 with heavy snow. And the snow itself would be heavy spring rain if it were only a degree warmer. If there was more wind it would be a real blizzard.PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-18357954161687604772021-03-13T16:26:18.406-07:002021-03-13T16:26:18.406-07:00You are totally welcome!
It’s weird how (OK, I kn...You are totally welcome! <br />It’s weird how (OK, I know it’s weather, but still weird) some years it’ll start to warm up in March and Spring slowly arrives in April, and then there are years like this one, where we’re going back to below-zero temps for days in a row-or nights, anyway. Normally (ha!) it would be in the thirties in the day and upper teens/twenties at night. A few years ago it snowed well into May. I’ve seen it snow here in every month except August, which might mean I just haven’t been here long enough. Well, I guess I’ll stop grumbling about the cold now...sigh. Otoh, it was -10° this morning and is now...22°!! Woohoo! Much better! (I’m serious!)<br />-JLMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-7961831922891288742021-03-13T16:08:40.803-07:002021-03-13T16:08:40.803-07:00I was a volunteer on the Iowa from when she came t...I was a volunteer on the <i>Iowa</i> from when she came to L.A. in July of 2012 until we moved here in September 2017. I started off helping with getting an Amateur Radio station set up in the FACCON area, and then got involved with restoration work on other parts of the ship. I helped rebuild the CEC, got the original radio transmitters back on the air, helped restore the Weather Office, acted as tour guide, and helped do a lot of infrastructure work for the IT department, like running Ethernet cables all over the ship.<br /><br />The best part was meeting and working with the Veterans. We'd see 90-year old Vets coming up the brow with their walkers, and once they stepped on the deck, they snapped off a salute, stood a little straighter, walked more briskly, and looked like they were 20 years old again.<br /><br />The one thing that gobsmacked me was seeing the hand painted map on the starboard side of the forward bulkhead in the Wardroom. It was a map of the South Pacific Theater of Operations, with all the 1940's names on the countries. I saw the names that my Mom and Dad had mentioned when I was little, and all of a sudden things got real. VERY real. Here I was, onboard a ship that had "Been There, Done That", and the sense of History almost overwhelmed me.<br /><br />The next thing that floored me was seeing the table top on a bench in a space off the Machine Shop. It was a hand-stamped list of names of everybody in that Department, and it was done in commemoration of V-J Day while the <i>Iowa</i> was anchored in Tokyo Bay handling communications for the surrender proceedings.<br /><br />Some people don't "get it", but I do. To this day, the time I spent on the <i>Iowa</i> will always be remembered as an honor bestowed upon me to be allowed to help with her.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-79718432242198556342021-03-13T11:36:37.003-07:002021-03-13T11:36:37.003-07:00Ooh, the Iowa! I remember seeing her in the mothba...Ooh, the Iowa! I remember seeing her in the mothball fleet near Benicia, amongst a bunch of old Liberty ships, and a couple of AGRs back in the mid '70s. All those ghosts are gone now. I'm glad that all of that class has been preserved as museum ships.(not necessarily your) Uncle Skiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705753220273516841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-34073644908335097832021-03-13T11:27:08.133-07:002021-03-13T11:27:08.133-07:00Wiltsie (DD 716), a FRAM 1, with undersized evapor...Wiltsie (DD 716), a FRAM 1, with undersized evaporators, so everybody, except for those wearing khaki, stank after about three days underway.(not necessarily your) Uncle Skiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705753220273516841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-18527918384940598232021-03-13T10:06:20.223-07:002021-03-13T10:06:20.223-07:00I think the pending storm will be interesting. I&#...I think the pending storm will be interesting. I'm hoping for lots of moisture because the thirsty soil needs a drink. It's fun on an intellectual level to think that a tiny difference in molecular velocity is the only difference between rain and snow. The lazy me would prefer rain, the grass farmer me doesn't care how it comes so long as it comes, and the silly tough guy me wants lots of heavy snow to dig out.<br /><br />I did a det to Midway when I first joined CVW-13 in preparation for joining Coral Sea. My new Airwing and I were transitioning from essentially brand new nuke carriers, so about 60 of us were sent to learn how they did things in the real navy. Culture shock! I thought those rust bucket garbage scows were awful at first but they quickly wormed their way into my naval aviation heart.<br /><br />Tell me about Iowa! She's special in my heart too though I only trod her decks twice on a single special day at sea in the stormy spring Atlantic.<br /><br />We'll stay safe here, never fear. You do the same!<br /><br />Thanks drjim.PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-27082327160954390462021-03-13T09:54:52.802-07:002021-03-13T09:54:52.802-07:00As with everything else in livin' life, the ex...As with everything else in livin' life, the experience is intellectually interesting. That sounds odd too I imagine. I've always tried to understand my own mind as best I can. I try to step back when I can and look at me as a disinterested observer. With the shock wearing off I can begin to do that a little bit. I'm astonished to see how the deeply shocked me was so completely off the rails yet able to operate quite well. I've no doubt that God was ensuring that I could do the deeply important stuff correctly and well. The shocked me couldn't have dressed himself. God carried me. He showed me his will and gave me what I needed to carry out the Plan of the Day. I am so very hurt yet i can begin to see what a miracle my path represents.<br /><br />Ticonderoga, Hancock, Midway, Coral Sea. Names to conjure with. I think you've told me before but what ship? Was it a WWII FRAM Can? We had it good on the carriers when it comes to creature comforts. Civilians would be shocked, but a gedunk makes quite a difference. Too many sailors though -- stinky dudes everywhere, like an infestation, and catapults shivering to boat with howling aircraft slamming onto the roof 24/7. Glorious.<br /><br />This morning it's drizzle, mist, and fog. The world is hushed and hunkering down for the snowstorm moving in. It's going to be quite interesting I think.<br /><br />Thanks so much my friend, and I shall endeavour to keep on keepin' on! :)PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-32069836461156558672021-03-12T23:50:26.904-07:002021-03-12T23:50:26.904-07:00We went out and stocked up on a few items earlier ...We went out and stocked up on a few items earlier today. Yes, the 60's were nice while they lasted. Mother Nature giving us a little tease.<br /><br />We're expecting anywhere from 24" of snow up to 30". The NWS says this storm has the potential to exceed the March 2016 storm, which we just happened to catch the tail end of on our last trip to visit here before we moved here.<br /><br />You served on the <i>Midway</i>, too, Shaun? I've been on her many times since she became a museum. Their radio guys came up and gave us a lot of help getting things figured out on the <i>Iowa</i> when she first came to L.A. Since turnabout is fair play, a bunch of us from the <i>Iowa</i> would go down and help them when needed some help or test equipment.<br /><br />Be safe out there the next few days!drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-25495910773787423262021-03-12T18:07:52.418-07:002021-03-12T18:07:52.418-07:00"It feels... good. Right and proper. I suspec...<i>"It feels... good. Right and proper. I suspect that doesn't make much sense."</i><br />I makes sense to me, but I am six and a half years removed and was somewhat forewarned.<br />At eight months I was finally doing a "normal" thing or two.<br />We each deal with such things in our own way.<br />With God's help and mercy I have many good memories and the sadness has passed.<br /><br />I spent some time chasing 14, 19, 41, and 43 around both sides of the Pacific doing plane guard.<br />Chasing submarines was more fun.<br />We didn't have nearly as elaborate medical facilities, not even a baby doc to assist the HM, and no gedunk, just a miniscule ship's store that was open after noon and evening chow, but the knee knockers were there in spades.<br />One plus is we didn't have aircraft landing on the roof.<br /><br />The early fruit and nut trees showing blossoms all over the valleys and the beekeepers have hauled their hives to the orchards.<br />Now the hope is that there's no disastrous hail.<br />I'm looking forward to planting some tomatoes.<br /><br />Keep on keepin' on!(not necessarily your) Uncle Skiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705753220273516841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-22413051853452036372021-03-12T05:39:44.943-07:002021-03-12T05:39:44.943-07:00Thanks JLM. There really are no human words to ade...Thanks JLM. There really are no human words to adequately describe God's grace.<br /><br />I've always loved watching it snow too. It's fun to watch through the window while I'm warm and snug inside. It's also fun to watch from inside the snowfall, out in nature's world, even though that can often be uncomfortable. Moving snow by hand can really suck but as with most hard things the payoff usually makes it all worthwhile.<br /><br />Spring is certainly a time to enjoy and I'm looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to the big blizzard predicted for this weekend. Total snow accumulation of 2-30 inches. Just gotta smile and shake my head sometimes.<br /><br />Thanks again!PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-83130113127272626552021-03-12T01:24:46.232-07:002021-03-12T01:24:46.232-07:00“Over the years I’ve learned...”-that whole paragr...“Over the years I’ve learned...”-that whole paragraph is spot on, and the following sentence as well. Out of destruction comes healing, beyond our comprehension but from the loving hand of our God Who Heals. Mind-blowing!! Glad to see you’re doing well, even when it sucks...(which isn’t always, thankfully!)<br />Speaking of the “pending blizzard”, we (in Anchorage) got a full foot of cold white fluffiness yesterday/last night. Woohoo! I’ve loved watching it snow since I was a kid, lo those many seconds ago. Shoveling doesn’t excite me quite as much, somehow. Something about the impending body-woes..no fun. Ah, well, in a few days it’ll be almost 30° again-sweet! Usually no false Spring here; Winter just drags on..and on..then in April it might get into the 40’s. Well, better (this) weather than no weather!<br />-JLMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-86724576878763802282021-03-11T21:03:17.338-07:002021-03-11T21:03:17.338-07:00Nature and her cycles are indeed lifting and spiri...Nature and her cycles are indeed lifting and spiritual. Even the pending blizzard of ought twenty-one.😉<br /><br />Thanks Frank.PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771208131691936867.post-68971482089236540762021-03-11T21:00:34.472-07:002021-03-11T21:00:34.472-07:00Memories are interesting. The me that I was would ...Memories are interesting. The me that I was would be shocked to see how the me that is looks back at that dumbass and how much I still learn from him thanks to recollection.<br /><br />Two of my ships remain in commission, each older today than CV-43 was when I relished her last deployment. I miss that leaky old rust bucket, long since repurposed into smaller bits of metal stuff. Sure am glad they preserved Midway. Be nice if they could museum Nimitz but pretty unlikely that'll happen.<br /><br />I've seen a few shipmates go from youngster to geezer in just a few years. Thank goodness that hasn't happened to me! So lucky and blessed to have known and learned from so many great people.<br /><br />All part of the Big Guy's plan, as is executing the Plan of the Day.👍<br /><br />Thanks John.PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.com