Throttle to the stop

A couple of weeks back, on my rounds in Putrajaya, decided to stop by Wisma Putra to meet up with Gary, a good friend of mine (budak koleq jugak). Over a glass of teh tarik he suddenly said to me, keep one of the coming sundays free. Can't tell you now.

Wednesday got a call from him, " Gimme your particulars, need to run a background check on you."

"What for?"

"You'll know tomorrow"

He didn't call on the supposed day but called me up on Friday.

"Read the papers? Nimitz is in town. YOU are going on board this Sunday with me."

YESSSSS!!!!!!!!

USS Nimitz (a nuclear powered aircraft carrier) is currently berthed at Port Klang from Thursday and will be leaving today. Nimitz is on a 6 month deployment and current heading : unknown. Their last port of call was in Guam.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to get on board the USS NImitz. Thanks Gary, for pulling some strings to get me the clearance to visit her.

We were given special treatment from the time we arrived until we left. While others walked from the designated parking lot, we were driven and accompanied by US Embassy staff right up to the gangway. Security was very tight with many checkpoints along the way manned by our navy and the US marines. While others were stopped we just breezed through. Many thanks also to Mr. Ravi and Pn Leni (digress a bit - Leni went to the same school with me during the primary years, secondary she was at SMS Taiping and we used to take the same warrant train during the school holidays. So it was a surprise to meet her once again after almost 19 years of no contact), the Embassy people.

The visit was closed to the public. However, we could see many civilians there. From what I found, they were from ALAM, KPA and families of US Embassy staff. I could not see any dignataries as they could have visited earlier during the week.

The banner says it all


The Admiral's cap that I got


Starboard side (gangway here)


Nimitz's Tower (Starboard side)


Nimitz's Tower (Port side -from flight deck)


Warning Sign


Nimitz's Tower (Looking down stern -from flight deck)


View aft from Vulture's Row (where off duty staff watch the activities on flight deck)


View stern from Vulture's Row


Admiral's Bridge (called Flag Bridge)


Marine Squadron "Red Devils" - coloured painted tail belongs to the Boss F18 C


Navy's "Top Hat" Squadron Super Hornets


Navy's "Black Aces" Squadron Super Hornets


Call sign "Jar Jar". Binks?


Eyes in the Sky - Hawkeye


The civilians are Embassy staff, the navy guy was our guide Chief Petty Officer Scott


Finally, the escort vessel, USS Princeton


F14 Tomcats have been phased out of service on the Nimitz. They now run F18 Hornets and Super Hornets. Other planes we could see on board were the Sea Hawks and A6 Prowlers/Intruders.