#190—Westpac ’75: Heading Home

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)

Who said, “When I die, remember how I lived.”?
In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, “There’s no place like home.”?
In what song (and who sang it) did we hear:
I’ve been through love
I’ve been through some pain
I know changes in my life
Now I know what’s meaningful

I’m writing a multi-part series of articles about a US Navy cruise in the Pacific, commonly known as a “Westpac.” I made one Westpac in 1975. It made quite an impression on me and it’s something I love to write about.

If you missed the prior blog posts, check them out:

WESTPAC—A US Navy deployment from the west coast to the western Pacific Ocean involving a variety of ships, including aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, as well as aircraft and other supporting units. Back in my day (mid ‘70s), the forward deployment base was Naval Station Subic Bay, Philippines. Currently, the forward deployment base is Yokosuka, Japan.

The Long Cruise Home

We left PI on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1975. The trip back to the US would take a few weeks, with a planned stop in Hawaii. As before on the trip over, we established the Alert 5s and, as anticipated, had several Russian reconnaissance aircraft and trawlers keep an eye on us. We were still in the Cold War era and nobody at the time knew when that might end.

I still had my 0600 spot, “Country Chet Adkins,” on KRAL radio. Funny thing… on the way to PI, my morning “wake up” song was “Yakety Sax,” by Chet Atkins. On the way back to the states, I began playing Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December.”

When we got to Hawaii, I learned the trip from Hawaii to San Diego would be a “Tiger Cruise.”

During this short cruise, Kitty Hawk sailors’ sons, fathers, and brothers (no women) could come aboard and sail with us back to San Diego. What a great idea—see what dad does at work.

One of the catapult officers was soon to retire from the Navy and his ten-year-old son was on board. It’s a tradition on an aircraft carrier that when the Shooter leaves, he launches his flight deck boots off the catapult. It was heartwarming to watch the Shooter and his son go through the routine of the launch, including the final salute to the boots, the hands in the air, swinging fingers, and then the launch of the boots. The kid had such a great time mimicking his dad, and it brought back a lot of memories of me and my dad when I was that age.

On the way back from Hawaii, we could also order up to a gallon of liquor, tax-free. We would be able to pick it up when we pulled into San Diego. I ordered only one bottle of bourbon. I guess I could have ordered more and sold it to someone who maxed out, but I didn’t.

About 0500 the morning we were to pull into San Diego, word was passed that we could pick up our liquor orders. I didn’t go get mine; I’d pick it up later. However, many of the guys who ordered got theirs. Of course, you were not supposed to drink aboard the ship, but several of the guys got really shitfaced before pulling into port.

San Diego

I’d experienced coming into port several times in PI, Japan, and Hong Kong (though we anchored out in the bay & rode shuttles into port). But I’d never experienced a homecoming for a Navy ship. And let me tell you, it was quite the homecoming.

We pulled into San Diego about 0800 on December 15, 1975, the day before my twenty-first birthday. It was a beautiful morning and coming through the bay, passing Point Loma on the port side and the Naval Air Station on the right, it felt like coming home. We had been on the WESTPAC cruise for what seemed like forever and other than Hawaii, this would be the first time in six months I had stepped foot on American soil.

Sailors man the rails aboard USS Kitty Hawk. March 2007.
US Navy Photo.

When a ship comes back to home port from an overseas tour, we man the rails, another formal Navy tradition. That means that everyone participating dresses in the uniform of the day. In this case, we wore winter blues. Sailors line up arm’s length, called Dress Right, around the edge of the flight deck, facing out.

If the ship was coming in, they’re usually at parade rest unless there is a special memorial, such as the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, at which time they would come to attention at the appropriate time. But coming into San Diego, it was more relaxed. I felt a lot of pride and was happy to be coming back to the states.

As we approached the pier, we saw hundreds of Navy wives and children waving with signs of “Welcome Home, We Love You!” The signalmen on deck were signaling to their wives, who were signaling back. We did not have cell phones back then, so everyone with anyone was desperately looking over the crowd until they spotted a familiar face. Then you could see the joy in their eyes and the frantic waving, “I’m here, I’m here.” It was very touching and emotional.

The new fathers got off first and the moms and their babies were greeted with open arms and tears—lots of joyful tears. Even some of the older guys staying on the ship were tearing up. It was such a wholesome sight and even though I was still only twenty years old without a wife or girlfriend, it was a touching scene. The reunions are very heart-warming. While a few of the wives had flown to the Philippines, Hong Kong, or Japan for a brief visit with their husbands, this was the first time many of them had seen each other in six months. It was truly wonderful to see so much love and affection in one place.

USS Kitty Hawk returning from Westpac ’74.

Memorable Moments

Far too many to mention in a short blog post, but here goes, in no particular order.

Flight Ops–Nothing compares to the excitement, the challenges, and the danger of working on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. NOTHING!

Cultural Differences–PI was the first country I visited outside the US. We were in and out of PI seven times, since it was our forward deployment port. I got used to the customs, the food & drink, and the culture. But I also got to visit Hong Kong and Japan, both vastly different in culture & customs. It gave me a much better understanding of “traditions,” something that would help guide me through both my career(s) and my life.

One lesson I learned about food in foreign countries… if it tastes good, don’t ask what it is. Many times, once you know what you’re eating, it may not taste as good as before you knew. So… I don’t bother to ask.

F-14 Tomcat aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

Clear Views–I’ve mentioned this many times in past blogs, but watching the sun rise early in the morning while at sea and watching the sun set on the very same day is nothing short of spectacular. The clear skies, the fresh air (well, except when you’re standing behind a JBD [Jet Blast Deflector] protecting you from the exhaust of a jet in full afterburner), and wide-open seas makes me glad that I’m alive.

Death on the Flight Deck–I wrote about this earlier and don’t mean to dwell, but it’s something that will always remain with me… just how precious life is. Never take it for granted.

Friends for Life–When you leave on a cruise, you have a few friends. During those long workdays and great liberty times, you get to know people… really know them.

You leave on the cruise as shipmates & friends, but return as family. That’s just how it is in the military.

Until we meet again,
Andy

Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books (www.azadkinsiii.com), many of which are free downloads (PDF, eBook format). He is currently retired and lives in Gainesville, Florida with his wife and life-long soulmate, Becky.

Previous Blogs mentioned in the Post:

Answers

Rick Georges (R.I.P.)–fellow legal technology consultant, outstanding lawyer, and poet extraordinaire, who recently passed away. I will miss my friend, The Future Lawyer.
The Wizard of Oz (1939), Dorothy (Judy Garland). Ed note: yeah, this one was easy.
I’m Coming Home (2006), Lionel Ritchie; written by Eugene Booker & Lionel Ritchie.

A Veteran's Journey