TUG'S NAVY TRIP TO SAN DIEGO
My trip to San Diego was a rewarding trip for so many reasons. First it was a chance for the staff here at Kicks 101.5 to say Thank You to the sailors of the United States Navy. Secondly it was a chance for me to get back to a place that at one time in my life I thought would last forever, that being my service in the U.S. Navy. We left Atlanta at noon on Monday from Hartsfield Cadillac Jackson International Airport headed to Chicago then onto San Diego. We only had two and a half days to begin with but we had an emergency landing shortly after take off back in Chicago due to hydraulic and engine issues, which turned out to be slightly scary experience. The net of it was thirty minutes into the flight from Chicago to San Diego we were told we were headed back to Chicago due to some minor problems. Turns out when we were landing there were several emergency vehicles waiting on the ground including fire, ems, and police.
After finally arriving safely in San Diego we visited the USS Helena SSN-725 a nuclear powered sub stationed at Point Loma. We spent most of the day onboard of the sub seeing how the sailors lived in such a small space, let me stress how tiny the living quarters were, this coming from a Navy guy. While onboard I met with the Commodore of the Sub Squadron, the Captain and Executive Officer and the crew of the ship. There is where I met ET3 Cochran from Canton. He was a great kid that was proud of his Kicks Country roots and his service to his country. We also visited the USS George Washington CVN-73 a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. For me it was a great experience to be back on the G-Dub since it was the carrier in the first battle group that I served in aboard USS South Carolina CGN-37. Aboard the George Washington I met PNSN Garrett. He was applying for the Seaman to Admiral Program which would convert him from an enlisted sailor to an officer. I certainly wish him the best luck. He actually made it back to Kicks Country before I did he was headed home to Winder the next day. Overall the trip was short and exhausting but so well worth it. The smell of the ships, the salutes, the pride of country, it was just great to be back on a United States Navy base and on the ships of the Greatest Navy the world has ever seen.
After finally arriving safely in San Diego we visited the USS Helena SSN-725 a nuclear powered sub stationed at Point Loma. We spent most of the day onboard of the sub seeing how the sailors lived in such a small space, let me stress how tiny the living quarters were, this coming from a Navy guy. While onboard I met with the Commodore of the Sub Squadron, the Captain and Executive Officer and the crew of the ship. There is where I met ET3 Cochran from Canton. He was a great kid that was proud of his Kicks Country roots and his service to his country. We also visited the USS George Washington CVN-73 a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. For me it was a great experience to be back on the G-Dub since it was the carrier in the first battle group that I served in aboard USS South Carolina CGN-37. Aboard the George Washington I met PNSN Garrett. He was applying for the Seaman to Admiral Program which would convert him from an enlisted sailor to an officer. I certainly wish him the best luck. He actually made it back to Kicks Country before I did he was headed home to Winder the next day. Overall the trip was short and exhausting but so well worth it. The smell of the ships, the salutes, the pride of country, it was just great to be back on a United States Navy base and on the ships of the Greatest Navy the world has ever seen.
