The Spirit of Freedom in Hong Kong!

CVN-73 made port this week.  I was honored to be invited to tour today, Vetran's Day in the US.  A public holiday, but there are those who keep the vigil while we play......

at times a lonely task, and the true sacrifice for........

The USS George Washington "the Spirit of Freedom" CVN-73.  It's big.  Three times the width of a container vessel and over 330m long. Home to up to over 3,000 servicemen. Fully powered for up to 20 years.

waiting to be hurled off the deck......

Top Gun's cinematic license is a total insult to a mission ready carrier strike force.  No way can four catapults go down at one time!

Tour briefing....first thing is...."do not push buttons then ask what does this do"

Actually the areas open to the tour were pretty much free run.  The display of the giant flag of the PRC is diplomatic protocol.  All visiting ships must display the colors of the host country along side their own.

We even toured the Bridge to meet the commander but he wasn't there......

Admiral Wu has the Con!  Supported by the latest in electronics.....Rybak! I'm gonna sink your battleship!

watch the ride from the Hangar Bay to the deck and back:

http://youtu.be/DtBwTbJPXGA

http://youtu.be/y8Zury301Rc

Red alert!

Security to the bridge!

loving the Navy's digital blue camo.....

they were there to prevent this...........

and this......

and this.....

so if you are American and out on the streets of Hong Kong tonight or tomorrow and you see our servicemen thank them for serving because the freedoms that we have came from those who gave yesterday, are giving today, and will give tomorrow. 

They put it all on the line 24/7....and constantly in the danger zone...

EA-6B Prowlers....the upgrades of the A6 Intruder ("I used up all my goodbyes" from "Flight of the Intruder").

Don't let them fade away.....remember......and be gratefull.