I was provided the opportunity of a life-time courtesy of the US Navy.  Along with 1200 other civilians, I embarked aboard USS Enterprise “Big E” for the last stretch of the ship’s six-month deployment, known as Tiger Cruise which immerses family and friends of the deployed members into Navy life: eating, sleeping and experiencing firsthand what Sailors and Marines experience while living aboard a naval vessel.

While on the monstrous aircraft carrier, we observed a variety of events to demonstrate the skills and training used to defend this country, including an air show featuring aircraft launches and recoveries, a 50-cal. machine gun live fire exercise, tours of the ship, and a rescue demonstration.  I recorded the videos below, the first of which shows a helicopter rescue exercise.

This was my first time on a military ship, which gave me a better understanding of the hard work and professionalism these Sailors and Marines display throughout their deployment.   During their six-month tour, the strike group conducted operations in the Persian Gulf to support troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and patrolled the coast of Africa.

These sailors and aviators, whose average age is in the mid 20s, demonstrated how they launch, fly, and recover over 20 aircraft within a 2-hour period on a floating airport just over four acres.  When I compare the difficulty I've witnessed in getting a one-page Agency health policy signed (12 months) to the remarkable synchrony needed to accomplish this work, I become sick to my stomach.   More impressive than the demonstration were the statistics of their combat tour where these young professionals launched over 1,600 sorties without a single injury or mishap.



Just as impressive as the aircraft operation was the smooth logistics to cloth, feed, and care for over 5,000 crew members.  I was very fortunate to have my own quarters, but most Sailors and Marines spend their sleeping time in vertical bed racks in quarters smaller than a single bed.

After realizing the scope of their success, and the day-to-day challenges faced by these young Sailors and Marines, I gained a greater appreciation for our men and women in uniform as well as a tangible observation of Government working well.  It was also great way for the Navy to show its gratitude to the families who have supported these war fighters and made sacrifices of their own while their loved ones were deployed.   

For the families and friends, it was an early reunion. For all hands, the Tiger Cruise meant one thing: the Enterprise made it home!