NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The first day of Fleet Week started early aboard the USS Kearsarge, with revelee at 6 a.m. Flights ops were going at first light, with choppers coming and going to bring in DV's, navy short for distinguised visitors.
This ran from Bronx DA Robert Johnson, who served on four carriers during his navy days, to Oscar Villegas of the Red Bulls, who was doing some fance soccer dribbling on the flight deck. Not having to welcome anyone aboard....I explored, starting in Primary Flight Control, which was busy getting choppers in and out.
It essentially is the tower in the floating airport, but also keeps track of the crews on the flight deck. Messages written on the glass, AirBoss wearing a long sleeve pullover.....a scene out of Top Gun.
The other hot spot this morning was the Well Deck, where a City Line ferry was bringing even more DV's to the Kearsarge. The well deck has a drop down gate and the ferry was docking on the end.....it gets you to the ship, but not nearly as fun as the a chopper landing on a floating deck.
The parade of ships starts as they line up at the Verrazano Bridge. A slow glide under the bridge as Ft Hamiliton fires off a 21 gun salute with its cannons, and the Kearsarge responds with a 21 gun barrage from its 40 mm cannons. NOISY!
A beautiful day ment folks standing along the Belt in Brooklyn and Battery Park in Manhattan....standing at windows, on roofs, in parks, as the big ships glide by. A salute for lady liberty and a moment of silence at Ground Zero.
A chance for me to play tour guide for a change.....after days of being led around and shown the sites of an amphibious assault ship, I got to answer questions like whats that building (Chrysler), where is Times Square (down 42nd street) and where is a cheap bar (in Midtown?). It may be the modern navy, but sailors still want a drink in port. Maybe a couple.
Now that the Kearsarge and the rest of the fleet is here for the weak, its time for New York to check it out. Lots to see, and it only comes once a year.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
