Aeroknow
Well-Known Member
I'm pretty sure you get a big ass momma(if you want) this one, in a month:Don't forget me for one of those Sherberts
See ya there man.
2016 Spring BBQ Sat 4/23
- Thread starter doublejj
- Start date
Aeroknow
Well-Known Member
Larry {the} Gardener
Well-Known Member
Too far for me. I'm down here in NW Florida. Google says it would be 2123 miles in a straight line. Even longer if I drove on the roads.
But I have used the lit up 69 on that old girl's tower many a night as a guide to the Saipan. They were just one pier over. We were a helo carrier, so didn't mix with the real flat-top boys that much. We were a Marine Corp delivery system, or a Gator Freighter.
Aeroknow
Well-Known Member
So, rudy just said "in norfolk virginia" at port? He was usually out at sea 80-83 though
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Larry {the} Gardener
Well-Known Member
We were at sea a lot too. The Gulf War {Iran Iraqi} was still hot then. But we did a stint in dry dock at Portsmouth, then had to go down to Cuba after that. I flew out from Cuba when I got out in November 83. Going from swimming naked in the Caribbean to cold rain in Newport News, all in the same day.
The biggest thing I took away from Norfolk was there was always a toll bridge between you and anywhere you needed to go. When the ship was in Norfolk, I lived in Chesapeake. When I lived in Norfolk, the ship was across the river in Portsmouth. Back then it was just a quarter, but to a poor assed sailor like me, it added up.
When you flew out of Cuba do you remember the flight? They have to do a scary ass banking of the plane to get in out of there. The Cuban airspace was weird there.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel is amazing but 12 bucks. Alot of those tolls were removed. But since I moved heard they may be coming back because of budget stuff.
Larry {the} Gardener
Well-Known Member
It was a charter, but I don't remember the name. It was just like a regular airliner, even had drinks in flight. The ship was doing like 10-12 hours of special sea and anchor drills a day, so we had to get off at 0600, but the flight didn't leave until after lunch. Beer was $6 a case or some such. Of course we were all in our Dress Whites for the trip, but we walked down to the beach, stripped off naked and drank and played in the water until it was time to leave.
When we did fly out, I don't remember any swerves or anything like that. But I was drunk at the time. I do remember when we first got down there, them warning us that if we rented a sailboat, not to stray across the line. I bet the boys down there now can't rent sailboats anymore.
Yeah post 9/11;had all kinds of flights. But 2 regular ones a week on a 747 they chartered out. Booze and all like you say.lols. still have boat rentals. We had some fun trips on them. Got to see some amazing stuff down there. My girlfriend /wife now visited me and was shocked by the huge banana rats and iguanas. Good times I never want again!
Larry {the} Gardener
Well-Known Member
I was only down there about a month. Not much to do at night. But there was always a ship's party going on on base somewhere it seemed. If you could talk your way into it, there was free beer and burgers. Even back then they were pretty strict about being out late at night. We were at one of the parks and missed our ride back to the ship. The SP's picked us up and took us back to the ship. If we were not already on the way out, we would have gotten written up for it.
I wouldn't mind seeing the rest of the island when it opens up. I know some good folks who are Cuban born. The only drawback to this new openness is that I stopped smoking cigars 12 years ago.
fumble
Well-Known Member
Illiadtattoo?
Smidge34
Well-Known Member
Cool, the Saipan was in dry dock beside my boat at the Philly Yards, big ass LST ship. I never spent a day in Norfolk, did all my time besides Philly in Charleston and Mayport. I spent my fair share of time in Gitmo, doing ref-tras and other pre-deployment training too.
Larry {the} Gardener
Well-Known Member
Other than training, I spent all my time on the Saipan, homeported in Norfolk. I only did one Med/IO tour, but we stayed down in the Caribbean a lot. Saw lots of nice places I said I would get back to. Never have though.
What the world needs is more acronyms!!!!!!!!
Smidge34
Well-Known Member
Larry {the} Gardener
Well-Known Member
We had a lot of Spanish liberty ports too. Was in the IO when they killed Anwar Sadat in October 81. That was a trip. We steamed all night, and when the sun came up, all you could see was battleship grey. We brought the fleet to Egypt, just to let them know to be cool.
Also an unplanned two and a half weeks in Athens in January 1982 because our stern-gate screwed up.
We called Reagan Aunt Ronnie on my ship. But his push for a 600 ship Navy got me a job for a while. Also taught me I would never work for the government again.
nuggs
Well-Known Member
I'll take the runt ! I'm not picky.Ok, you get second pick!
Motha fucking salinas!
Some bulshit mang
Garden Boss
Well-Known Member
if all else...i'll get you a rooted clone 10 days after I get that little mama home
@Aeroknow top the shit out of that plant... thanks man.
