first night on Ike - Part 1 Department: Ops Author: Ron Eureka Era: 1984 Date: 06/08/06 I arrived via a Piedmont or Continental airlines flight from Cleveland to Norfolk at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 30th 1984, after boot, DP "A" School, and a week of leave. By complete twist of fate, the guy in civvies next to me on the flight (I was in full dress blues) was on Ike, in MarDet (his name was Stover, and he was very laid back for a Marine). Ike was at pier side at 11 or 12, and we caught a cab together to NOB. I was very glad he was there. I remember walking down the pier; it was dark, but the lights were more than bright enough to see what I was about to board. I have to say I was impressed at the size of the ship, kinda like the time I first saw John Holmes in an 8mm film loop. In true Ike fashion, the Chief at the brow not only had no notification that I was reporting aboard, but also had no clue what to do with a new report. After some time, they determined I was to report to Ops, and they made some phone calls trying to locate someone.

first nite on Ike - part 2 Department: Ops Author: Ron Eureka Era: 1984 Date: 06/08/06 An AW2 from the duty section came down to meet me finally. Coincidentally, he was from the ASW module, where I would go to work, in an ancillary sense. He took me by the closed aft galley, talked a PO there into giving me a sandwich (they were long closed), and we headed up to the Operations office. With some apprehention on using the office land line, he let me call home (much appreciated) and then introduced me to a DPC (pretty sure) that told me he was off the ship in a matter of days. The DPC took me to the flight deck, vulture's row, and maybe my shop. A nice guy. He joked the Captain was a "short little guy", then told me Dick Macke was about 6'6". I ended up down in berthing again with the AW2, pointed to a rack with a blanket, but without a pillow. The AW2 rang up MAA, but there were no pillows to be had. The AW2 told me to grab a pillow from a 3rd tier rack - a rack that belonged to a DP1 that would be my 'sea daddy'. He always found cheap beer in port.

first nite on Ike - Part 3 Department: Ops Author: Ron Eureka Era: 1984 Date: 06/08/06 Our small berthing area was deserted that night. But in the morning the inport duty section changed, and being a Monday, faces that would become friends began to come and go. I went to midday chow with one of them, an AW3. I had skipped breakfast for one sole reason: I had no idea where the chow hall was. This was a large boat, and I was beyond lost, and besides - nobody was around. (Another great example of how 'every sailor matters'). The AW3 - I think his name was Pete - and I found a common bond in music, and he was kind enough to take me under his wing. For a short time we hit bars in Tidewater via taxi. He transfered off right before we deployed for the Med. Though this takes me beyond my first night, I ended up ostracized until we put to sea - again due to poor Navy planning. I had only an interim clearance, and my job required a final (and higher level) clearance. Once we pulled out of port, that major problem became extremely minor, and I was put to work.

Mail at Sea Department: Rx Author: Mike Matthys Era: 1990 Date: 06/09/06 The Cheez-its story reminded me of something that happened to me. While on Ike, I was in one of those "music clubs" where you get 8 cds free and then have to buy 3 more at regular club price. I ordered a cd while I was on a Med cruise. My cd came in the mail, and I noticed something strange. First of all, it smelled like JP5. Second, the cardboard package was soaked. The last thing I noticed was that the plastic cd case looked like it had melted. Somehow my cd took a bath in JP5. At least the cd club was nice enough to send a replacement.

NOT SEEING THE PROP Department: Air Author: ABH1 Era: 1988 Date: 06/09/06 I was stationed at NAS JAX when that body off the Kennedy came through. I worked at the Air Terminal Transit line and this civillian who wasn't the brightest star out there said there's no way that kid couldn't see that prop! I looked at him and said excuse me? He says you can see them. I said oh you can well lets go for a ride. I took him down to VP-30 cause I could hear them doing a turn up. Well we pulled up its dark no moon nothing and I go so you can the prop can you? He went holy SH*t! I said yeah scary isn't it! I also told him you could get hypnotized by watching them too long! He thought I was lying about that! I loved going up to V row at night and watching the three ring circus (Fly1,Fly2 & Fly3 my favorite)We always seemed to pull it together & make it look so easy. I guess because to us it was. When I checked on Ike I asked about the abandon ship station and knew right off where to tell me but said they never really wanted to practice that one so don't worry about it!

Basic Needs Department: Air Author: ABH1 Era: 1998 Date: 06/09/06 Something happened to me on Ike, I changed. On that ship I lost all will too care. I helped in Leadership Class when the kids put on 3rd. Discussing Basic Needs. I told them to help the new check ins. I told them make it simple for them. Tell them if they want food go down till you see blue & white tile that means food. Just because they are making rank don't forget where they came from. Don't be a dick about it and take care of each other and take Pride in their Job & in the Ship! Hey Bull remember when Clinton came to console the the families of the USS Cole & IKE represented it. I remember driving home the next day watching Air Force One Glide above the interstate & thought man that looks like things you see in a movie. ABHC Rowe was never suppose to put on chief because supposely he showed up to Camp David with Fake warfare wings. I threw my warfare book over the side. Senior goes who am I talking to, did Elizabitch get out again. She was out & tired of that boat!

Harry Turner Department: Rx Author: Brian Teifer Era: 1984 Date: 06/10/06 I ran into Gabe Verespej at work yesterday and he told me that Harry Turner Passed away last weekend. He was an electricians mate on Ike in the early 80's. He was only 46 years old and died of throat cancer from many years of heavy smoking. Harry, may you go with god. I raise a glass on your behalf.

rumors Department: Rx Author: Brian T Era: 1984 Date: 06/10/06 1. In my 20 years of service I never saw a Chief busted at captains mast. Only at court martial. 2. Buying out your contract is a crap too. 3. JP5 was not stored in the same tanks as pot water but pot water was used to replaced the JP5 used if necessary for ballast. The water was discharged overboard when the tanks are refilled. 4. The not responsable for 1 minute was BS too.

Newport News Department: Ops Author: Arch Era: 1986 Date: 06/11/06 Part XI (I think) - Pool I was just out by my workbench. I have a pool table Eight Ball on a shelf out there from a dive bar in downtown NN. I put it in my pocket and walked out the back door one drunken night. I think a game of pool cost 50 cents back then. And I remember that Drew couldn't bring his custom cue into numerous bars - seems the Bible Belt Communistwealth of Virginia had a law that equated that with gambling. Man, that bar was lame, wish I could remember the name. At the start of the yards, we spent quite a few nights there.

Number One Piano Bar Department: Ops Author: Ron Eureka Era: 1984 Date: 06/11/06 Peter's posts on the Number One Piano bar brought back some memories. Unfortunately, they were mostly from the outside. I remember seeing it in all its glory, but either someone talked us into going to a lame 'Buy Me Drink' bar called The San Francisco Club, or The Piano Bar was off limits per command order, and the SP was there enforcing (I believe it was the latter). But I'm pretty sure we went in there once or twice, anyway. Sad to see it is long long gone.