2 Plant RMO Department: Rx Author: Michael Matthys Era: 1988 Date: 09/14/06 Hmmm...who could this be?? I was a 2 planter in 1988 and I vaguely remember this story. The one thing that has me confused is that Dorsey defended him -- that doesn't sound like the Gordon Owen Dorsey that I remember. Dan Fuqua -- is that you?

Ike's wikipedia page Department: Rx Author: Dan Fuqua Era: 1990 Date: 09/15/06 Check out Ike's page on Wikipedia. Note it is editable http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Dwight_D._Eisenhower_%28CVN-69%29

Getting out for paternity Department: Rx Author: Dan Fuqua Era: 1988 Date: 09/16/06 I remember there was an ELT on Ike, that I went to high school with, that got discharged from the Navy just days before the '88 Med, because he was being sued for paternity, by a married woman.

Newport News Department: Ops Author: Arch Era: 1985 Date: 09/18/06 Munchies In one of the first few days after moving into our apartment, Drew and I got stoned and went grocery shopping at the Food Lion just down the road a bit on Warwick Blvd. Bad decision - we ended up with 2 carts completely filled with junk food.

Gordon Owen Dorsey Department: Rx Author: Joe Brown Era: 1987 Date: 09/18/06 Speaking of Gordon Owen Dorsey, does anyone have any memories to share of the time in the Spring of '87 as we were preparing to come out of overhaul where Gordon O. had the whole dept stay overnight so we could clean the plants, especially so we could clean the bilges? I recall khaki types down in the bilge. Wasn't feeling too great about the Navy at that time.

Newport News Department: Ops Author: Arch Era: 1986 Date: 09/18/06 Sea Lawyer Although I had my own apt. during the yards, I also had an assigned rack on the USNS Darby. It might have been just for the fact that I figured it could be of use someday. I forgot all about it over time, but one day I got a notification via MAA that my rack was in an unsat condition. I went down there and my rack had been stripped of curtains, blankets, etc. including some very minor personal items, and had become a public dumping ground. I was pissed because I had collect the junk up and toss it. I had to respond back to the "speeding ticket", so I wrote that the rack was cleaned up, I relinquish the rack as I don't need it, and I hold the MAA responsible for the theft of my stuff. Well, I'm sure they let out a hearty laugh. Then they contacted my division Senior Chief. Senior said, "They wanted your ass on this one, but I told them I got it covered. Let me just advise you: your Sea Lawyer shit don't pass muster. Now get the hell out of here."

Salmonella sweeps the ship Department: Rx Author: Dan Fuqua Era: 1989 Date: 09/18/06 I remember one time, that a large part of the ship got sick with food poisoning. I think it was a bad batch of chili, in the "Ike Room". Right after it hit me, I was scheduled to go on watch as CRW, in 2 plant. I went to medical after watch, and they had to give me an IV because I was so dehydrated. I think a couple of guys from the dental department got medals for helping out down in medical.

Improvisation Department: Ops Author: Arch Era: 1985 Date: 09/21/06 Drew and I bowled many a game at the NOB bowling alley when we initially met. Before we bowled a few frames, he would make a pipe out of a half crushed beer can. Using the pin prick head from a tube of super glue to poke holes in the the can indentation for a bowl, we would smoke up. One time, we were re-loading another few hits into our device when the base cops knocked right on his car door window. The car had to reek like weed. But it was dark, and though Drew had the 'pipe can' right in his hand, they focused on the numerous empty beer cans in the back seat with their flashlight. The cops said something like "Each empty is a $25 fine, boys". Drew said something like, "Sorry officer, they've been back there for weeks now, from a party. I'll get rid of them right away." "You do that, and have a nice day." Me and Drew were like ... "Did that really just happen ?"

New Photos Department: Rx Author: Peter Era: 1984 Date: 09/21/06 New photos of modern era IKE - See Henry Sherril and "Sol the Bull" on the Images page.

The Catapult Ramp Picture Department: Engr Author: Sol The Bull Era: 2001 Date: 09/22/06 That ramp on the bow was used for Aircraft that needed a bridle. Most planes are afixed to the catapult by a H shaped peice of metal. Each type of jet has a different peice of metal that is color coded so you do not put a F-18 peice of metal on a A-6. When the steam hits the piston on the Cat it causes this peice of metal to break and the aircraft goes on its way. Some older aircarft did not have this set up on their front landing gear. They used a chain that attached to the front landing gear and the catapult. I was told that the chain left the ship and flew into the water. They changed to the H shaped peice of metal because it was cheaper to break a 6 inch peice of metal everytime they launch a plane than it was to lose a 4 foot peice of chain. TA-4J were the last of the planes to use the bridle system. They were around until the late ninties. We were told that we were out to sea so often because on the East Coast the IKE and the JFK were the only ships that had bridles.