{"id":5426,"date":"2021-10-26T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-26T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?p=5426"},"modified":"2021-10-26T09:42:02","modified_gmt":"2021-10-26T13:42:02","slug":"103-after-weeks-at-sea-finally-pi-libertypart-1-the-day-before","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/103-after-weeks-at-sea-finally-pi-libertypart-1-the-day-before\/","title":{"rendered":"#103\u2014After Weeks at Sea\u2026 Finally, PI Liberty
Part 1: The Day Before<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Who said, \u201cThe world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.<\/em>\u201d?<\/li>
  2. In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, \u201cWhen are you going to get it into your head? We’re in this together!\u201d?<\/em><\/li>
  3. In what song (and who sang it) did we hear the following?
    There’s a whole lotta people lookin’ down their noses at me<\/em>
    ‘Cause I didn’t come from a wealthy family<\/em>
    There was ten of us livin’ in a two-room shack<\/em>
    On the banks of the river by the railroad track<\/em><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n
    <\/div>Audio by Andy Adkins<\/a><\/div><\/form><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    USS Kitty Hawk<\/em><\/strong> (CV-63) \u2013 October 1975
    Somewhere in the South China Sea<\/strong>
    PI Liberty, Part 1: The Day Before<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Almost two weeks out here in the middle of the South China Sea. Lord knows where we are, but it feels like we\u2019ve been flying around the clock for the entire time we\u2019ve been out this time. I know <\/em>we haven\u2019t, but sometimes, these 16-18 hours on the flight deck sure seem like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It must be mid-afternoon, since I\u2019d already had noon chow, though the HC&C<\/a> (bologna) sandwiches just didn\u2019t do it for me. But I made sure most of my Crash crew got down to the mess hall for something (hopefully) tasty. Probably Kitty Hawk<\/em> \u201csteak\u201d (roast beef), mashed potatoes & gravy, canned beans, and bread. And a cold soda to wash it down. Well, at least it\u2019s hot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m tired, I\u2019m hot, and I\u2019m greasy from head to toe from the hot jet exhaust. A heavy rainstorm would give us a nice break to strip off our jerseys and soak in some cool rain to douse this heat dripping down the back of my neck. Maybe the Captain will find another rainstorm to take us through this afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Enough Whining\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cHey, Chet. Quit your daydreaming and get your head out of your ass. We\u2019ll be back in PI tomorrow in no time flat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Glenn<\/a>
    Glenn Law, Gary Borne
    NAS Agana, Guam (1974)
    (Click to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    I look over to see my good friend, Glenn Law<\/strong>, walking my way. Glenn & I go way back to where we first met at NAS Agana, Guam<\/strong>. Glenn was there a few weeks before I arrived in November 1973. He was an E-3 airman<\/em> back then; I was an E-2 airman apprentice<\/em>, barely out of ABH \u201cA\u201d School<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    He and I would become great friends and roommates in the old renovated WWII barracks while in Guam. We both made ABH-3 before transferring to Kitty Hawk<\/em>. In fact, we left Guam on the same day on the same Northwest Orient 707 \u201cFreedom Flight<\/strong>\u201d back to the states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Glenn was from Council Grove, Kansas. I think he played football: broad muscular shoulders and tree-trunk arms. But his smile\u2026 his radiant smile would brighten up anybody\u2019s day. He was also one of the best Yellow Shirt<\/strong> directors on the flight deck; amidships in Fly 2. Always a smile, always had your back. They don\u2019t come much better than Glenn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cHey, Lawman. Yeah, I know. I\u2019m ready for a break from this heat. I think we all are. Any idea what time we pull into port tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Scrub the Flight Deck<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cBeats the hell outta me, Chet. Probably mid-morning, like usual. First things first, though. We gotta scrub the flight deck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cMore fun than a barrel of drunk monkeys. Who\u2019s driving the lead tractor today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Flight<\/a>
    USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), Westpac \u201984.<\/em>
    Photo credit: Mike Hiscano.<\/em>
    (Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll check with Mahon, but I think he said Sharpie\u2019s crew would dish out the Zep. I don\u2019t know who\u2019s driving the scrubbers.\u201d We all had nicknames; \u201cSharpie\u201d was Dave Sharp<\/strong>. He was from Texarkana, though I don\u2019t know which side of the state line: Texas or Arkansas. That always confused this southern kid from Florida. Dennis Mahon<\/strong> was the Tractor King<\/strong>, in charge of all the aircraft tow tractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI see they\u2019re already starting to spot the aircraft forward. Gotta go help move these birds, Chet. See you later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It took a little while to move all the birds from the fantail forward, but it looks like we\u2019ll be scrubbing only Fly 2 and Fly 3 today. I guess they\u2019ll scrub Fly 1 once in port. It wouldn\u2019t be the first time, but with so many aircraft still on board, we needed to make room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fortunately, I get to lead one of the four teams on the fire hoses. Just like the old \u201cthree-minute Navy showers<\/a>,\u201d we first wet the flight deck down, then the lead tow tractor spreads the Zep soap around, then the two trailing tractors follow. We attach a 12-foot rope to a pallet fit with big broom scrub brushes and two guys each sitting on them for weight. Let\u2019s hope they don\u2019t start another<\/em> race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    They\u2019re good, but not that good, especially when turning the tight corners with two guys holding on for dear life. Reminds me of my times water skiing around Kingsley Lake, Florida. Fun to stand back and watch, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After they\u2019ve had their fun, it\u2019s now our turn. It\u2019s still hot & miserable, but I know what\u2019s soon to come: welcomed relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cReady on the right?\u201d I look to the right. \u201cReady on the left?\u201d I look to the left. It\u2019s useless because no one hears me, but I saw it in a movie sometime back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With five guys behind me on my 2\u00bd\u201d fire hose, we can probably push through and get our side of the deck washed in no time, pushing the soap down the flight deck and off into the catwalks. But if I did that, we\u2019d finish too soon and\u2026 without a contest to see who\u2019d get the wettest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Water Fights<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    I look over to my port side toward the island to see who\u2019s manning that fire hose. Well, if it\u2019s not my good buddy Jack Kuiphoff<\/strong>, a Yellow Shirt director in Fly 1. I look out in front of me and we\u2019ve washed most of the soap down the deck. I ease up a bit and let Kuiphoff catch up, just to get a little downwind of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Flight<\/a>
    Sailors aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) wash down the flight deck.<\/em>
    Photo credit: MC3 Stephanie Smith.<\/em>
    (Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    I look behind me at my hose crew with a big grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cReady?\u201d I ask. They know what\u2019s coming next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We sweep the 2\u00bd\u201d hose back and forth in front of us and inch over toward Jack\u2019s crew. One of them sees what we\u2019re doing, but we\u2019re a few seconds ahead. Besides, Jack\u2019s only got four guys on his hose; he\u2019ll be a little slower to react.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cNow!\u201d I holler and my five guys all move to the right while I swing the hose to the left, aiming upwind with a slight arc. Jack\u2019s entire crew is slow to move, so they\u2019re getting soaked by my team\u2019s fire hose. Besides, we’ve got the advantage: we’re upwind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Uh-oh\u2026 here comes Chief Breig,<\/strong> the Flight Deck Chief. \u201cAdkins, knock it off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cSorry Chief. I musta hit a slick spot and lost my footing. Won\u2019t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Both of us smile; he knows we \u201cwon.\u201d I look over at Jack; a slight smirk that said it all: \u201cNext time, Chet\u2026 next time<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    All in good fun and after a time at sea, it\u2019s a morale booster for all of us. I bet even the Captain & the crew on the bridge are enjoying these flight deck shenanigans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Down Time<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Well, at least we\u2019re close enough to PI we\u2019re not flying anymore. A nice welcomed relief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After a luxurious 3-minute shower to wash off the day’s crud and a good sit-down meal in the mess hall, I head up to the flight deck. It’s dark, but it’s the place to be for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Last night at sea before hitting port. Everyone\u2019s always ready & anxious. And because payday is not until the day after <\/em>we pull in, that means there\u2019s money to be made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let me take a brief moment to explain a few things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    First of all, it’s 1975 and I\u2019m twenty years old. In the states, I wouldn\u2019t be old enough to \u201clegally\u201d set foot in a bar. But out here, in the rest of the world, I\u2019m old enough. And\u2026 I\u2019ve been drinking like a sailor for at least two years. Not knee-crawling, commode-hugging drunk, mind you. But there were times when I needed help finding my way back to the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Anyone else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sharks\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Second, most of the guys on the ship, are 18-, 19-, and 20- year-olds, like me. Barely out of high school, but having the time of their lives. When you\u2019re that young and in a port like the Philippines, let\u2019s just say your money often runs out before the next payday, especially the night before leaving for an at sea time\u2026 like this last time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That usually spells \u201copportunity,\u201d as my good friend \u201cBig Willie,\u201d has taught me. \u201cBW\u201d (ABH-2 Shelby Williams<\/strong>) is a second class petty officer and the assistant Crash Leading Petty Officer (LPO). A great guy, too. He\u2019s also a disc jockey on Kitty Hawk\u2019s <\/em>soul radio station (KSOL) and got me a time slot as a DJ on the country radio station (KRAL): \u201cCountry Chet Adkins<\/a>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And\u2026 Big Willie taught me to save my money for times like this. Why? Because I can loan out $20 today and get paid back $40 on payday. Simple math. I don\u2019t know any better way to make quick money. I haven\u2019t bothered to ask if it\u2019s legal, but there\u2019s a lot of guys who do it. So\u2026 why not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And, since I have duty the first day in port, that makes it all better, right? There are a lot of guys who will need a little “extra” cash for drinking, eating, and\u2026 whatever other<\/em> activities they may find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Night Before<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s calm tonight. With no flight ops scheduled, it\u2019s a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the night sky. Nothing like seeing gazillions of sparkling stars when at sea. There\u2019s no light pollution and only a few clouds; the moon is out bright, almost a full moon. The air is clear, clean, and fresh\u2014no hot jet exhaust; that\u2019s a welcomed relief, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    From the flight deck, the moon\u2019s reflection on the calm ocean water seems to lay a wide path, almost like you could walk from the ship to the horizon and touch the moon. It\u2019s a serene setting and one that I\u2019ve come to cherish. Even the nights out on the dock at Kingsley Lake weren\u2019t as spectacular, though that\u2019s where I find a lot of my thoughts these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tomorrow we\u2019ll pull into PI. Glenn said he thought about mid-morning, so I\u2019ll at least get to wake people up with my 6am radio show\u2026 \u201cGood mornin\u2019 to ya, Kitty Hawk. It\u2019s six o\u2019clock, time for the ol\u2019 Country Chet Adkins show<\/em>.\u201d That\u2019s how I’ll start my<\/em> day, along with Chet Atkins\u2019 guitar solo, \u201cYakety Ax<\/em>e.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s late and I\u2019ve got duty tomorrow after my show. So, time to turn in. Hopefully, the poker games in the V-1 Division berthing compartment won\u2019t be too loud tonight after TAPS. But I can always wear my ear plugs. It wouldn\u2019t be the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Good night for now\u2026 from USS Kitty Hawk<\/em>\u2026 somewhere out in the South China Sea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Next stop (next blog): \u201cPI Liberty<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Until we meet again,
    Andy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Answers<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Neil Gaiman.  <\/li>
    2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix<\/em><\/strong> (2007), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson).<\/li>
    3. Po\u2019 Folks<\/em><\/strong> (1962), Bill Anderson; written by Bill Anderson.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      Previous posts mentioned in this blog:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n