US Navy Fleet Week 2014.
Beaux Foy of Airiel Down and I were invited to the US Navy’s Fleet Week this past week. If you are wondering what Fleet Week is, well, basically it is the US Navy, USMC, and US Coast Guard’s tradition in which deployed military ships sail to port in various US cities for a week. Once the ships dock, the crews visit the city and select members of the public can take guided tours of the ships.
We began out commute from Staten Island at 0230 (and man that was early as I was hit with the tequila hammer that night) and made it to the helipad in NYC at 0400. From there we were choppered out to sea in a MH-60s and in about a half hour landed on the USS Oak Hill LSD-51. There were were greeted by a Navy Ensign and lead to the chow hall (which was exactly what I needed).
Eye to eye with Lady Liberty
Just landed
What we saw right off the chopper… tell me that doesn’t fill you with pride!
Rear view of the USS Oak Hill.
Several shots from around the ship
After some chow and conversation with a few USMC 1st Lieutenants we toured the ship as it steamed to port. I was constantly reminded of my days as a Marine (1992-1996 MTM Co 2nd Maint BN CLNC). At times I miss the Marine Corps and I am glad I spent my time in service to this great country and am impressed by the young Marines and Sailors of today. After a few hours we neared New York and sailed past The Freedom Tower, The Statue of Liberty, and the NYC skyline.
We roamed the ship speaking to Marines and Sailors about their MOS (military operative skill), their experiences in the service, and their love for America. It truly made my heart swell with pride and reassured me America is by far the greatest country in the world, and it’s citizens her greatest asset.
Beaux, spending time with Marines.
The “belly of the beast”.
Beaux taking the opportunity as he always does to visit with our military.
We got invited along with several news crews through contacts Beaux Foy has made over the years touring the world in Airiel Down and playing for the military (always waving his performance fees) as well as contacts he made when we filmed two music videos out at sea on the USS George H W Bush aircraft carrier (CVN-77) and that in itself was an adventure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YhMwj-iP-g
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAe3Y0IL3JM
The two videos we shot out at sea on the CVN 77.
All in all the time we spent at Fleet Week was amazing, visiting with our dedicated men and women of the military that keep America safe.
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