My life in the Navy


Nov.1993-Apr.1999
Before you begin viewing the pictures below let me first explain to you what it is I did onboard this huge and massive warship.
When I first checked onboard in November of 1993, I began working in a little room directly behind the Bridge called TOP (Tactical Operations Plot). It's very common for new OS's (Operation Specialist) to start working here to gain some of the initial training an OS will need throughout his / her career in the navy. Basically, I first learned about such things as: shipboard navigation; radar operation; ship to ship communication; plotting; and basic combat procedures.After a short while of observation and evaluation from my supervisors, I was educated on the broader, but more intense, realm of four different warfare area's: Air; Surface; SubSurface; and Electronic. Simply put, I learned much about all the different aspects, projections, and capabilities of not only our naval forces, but those of our current and potential advisories as well. When given the opportunity to chose between which warfare to specialize in I chose Surface Warfare. Why? Well, it seemed to be the most actively involved warfare area that controlled the multiple factors in the warfighting efforts as a whole. Granted, I was on an aircraft carrier where a lot of the focus was on our Air Warfare performance. However, Surface Warfare encompassed not only its various Surface Warfare responsibilities, but had it's own Air Warfare responsibilities too. For instance, RECON. It's Surface Warfare's responsibility to conduct surveillance of the often huge distance of ocean that surrounded us. Also, we would work hand in hand with our Sub-Surface counterparts, utilizing various Air Warfare assets to detect and locate submarines. And in all the different aspects of our assigned missions, we were constantly utilizing the Electronic Warfare module inconjunction with our assigned efforts. So as you can infer, the Surface Warfare endeavor consists not just in the surface arena, but the total combatant process as well. After a few years of learning and becoming intimate with the Surface Warfare process, I climbed the career ladder another step and became an ASTAC (Anti-Surface/Sub-Surface Tactical Air Controller. What does that mean? Well simply put, I became an air controller that utilized the various aircraft on, and off, our ship to do reconnaissance, search ∓ surveillance, the detection and localization of Submarines, along with the other various aspects of war. Yes...destroy and kill if neccessary.
In December of 1997, while conducting exercises off the coast of California, I received word that another carrier, the USS INDEPENDENCE stationed in Japan, was looking for air controller volunteers to supplement their crew while they deployed to the Persian Gulf. Once I expressed my interest, I was chosen and sent off to join with their crew in early mid-January 1998. (NOTE: This was my second six-month cruise to the middle east. The first was from April 1995 - October 1995.) Anyway, once we arrived in the Indian Ocean it became appearent that on top of my ASTAC talents, I'd be trained and qualified in what's known as the SWC (pronounced - "swick" = Ships Warfare Coordinator). This new position is about THE highest I could go. As high as any Operations Specialist can go in his career. SWC's job is simply put, the TAO's (Tactical Action Officer) right-hand man. It's the SWC who sits facing a radar console, directly to the right of the TAO, and advises him of the current situation. If ever the ship should have to go into battle, it's these two jobs that make all of the tactical decisions based on what the Admiral of the battle group and Captain of the ship want to do. The TAO will take all of the advice given to him by various members of the tactical team, including the SWC, then make the order. Of which, the SWC will direct to the appropriate person, ship, or aircraft to execute. It's much like a symphony where all players have their own sheet of music. All playing their individual parts of harmony, then coming together for the overall output of the composition. Ah, yes, to win.
Anyway, it was very interesting. I'd finally completed what my main goal was in the navy had been: to go as far as I could in my rate, Operation Specialist, in a reasonable of amount of time. Total, it only took 5 1/2 years, which is considered pretty fast. There were even senior OS's who'd trained me when I first went to the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN who hadn't been able to complete this so-called road. Because of not enough confidence, competence, ability to see the big picture, I don't know... All I knew is that I had, and was very content with that. My path complete.
After my 3rd six-month cruise to the middle east, the second half of 98', it was time to move on. It was time to chose orders and the only place I knew where I wanted to go...was Europe. I'd gone all through the Pacific Ocean, traveling to Hong Kong. Down through the South China Sea to Singapore. Through the Straits of Malacca to the Indian Ocean. Perched for months in the middle of the desert sea - the Persian Gulf. Down around Australia and Tasmania. Up past New Zealand to the first American soil I'd touched in 5 1/2 months time, Hawaii. And finally back to the west coast of America. I knew then that I'd seen all I wanted to see of those part of the world (three times over), and it was time to move on to something new. I hadn't yet been to Europe and wasn't sure if I'd ever get the chance to, so when I called and talked to my detailer I told him, "Look man, here's the deal...I've been all over the South East Asia and the Middle East too many times without change. The only place on earth I will accept orders to... is Europe!" Within a few minutes time I was offered Sigonella, Sicily, Italy. At that moment, I'll never forget, the only thing going through my mind was,"How nice it will be having all of Europe in my backyard!" So... I took it. Haha. =)
If you'd like to read on about my adventures after arriving in Italy, click HERE If you'd like to read on about any of the places I've visited, click HERE
Here are some pictures of my ship, USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Here is a picture of the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN cruising through the Pacific Ocean at approx. 25 knots.			Within the Ship, in a place called CDC (Combat Direction Center) is where I worked.
Here is another picture of the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN cruising through the Pacific Ocean at approx. 25 knots.			This is an excellent picture of the ships airwing (CVW-14) flying in formation over the ship.
Here are some pictures of the different aircraft I've controlled
An F-14 getting ready for take-off.			A F-18 coming in for a landing on the ship.
P-3C (Orion) = SubHunter			SH-60(SeaHawk coming in for a landing.
S-3 Coming in for a landing onboard the carrier.			Ok ok...I don't really control this type of aircraft, but it's a really cool picture. Can you guess what type of aircraft it is?
Ok, well that pretty much sums up my life in the navy when I was on the ship. Click HERE to see what I do in the navy now.