Aboard 'The Connie': A Photographer's Diary. Part 3

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|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2003-03-25

Aboard 'The Connie': A Photographer's Diary. Part 3
By Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, 2003

A COD takes off from The Connie.

(Editors note: Justin Sullivan is a staff photographer for Getty Images based in San Francisco. He is currently on assignment aboard the U.S.S. Constellation in the Persian Gulf.)

"If you feel like you're gonna be sick, just ask for a bag. Nothing to be embarrassed about." Reassuring words from the U.S. Navy Airman in charge of safely loading us into the C-2A Greyhound or "COD" Carrier-On-Board delivery aircraft. This is our ride from Bahrain the U.S.S. Constellation.

The COD is a twin prop support aircraft with a primary mission of ferrying personnel, supplies and mail to the carrier from the shore. There are two assigned to the Constellation and both make daily flights.

I had been anticipating this flight for weeks. I had heard stories from other journalists about their experience doing a carrier landing. The one that got me nervous was Peter DaSilva's. He just looked at me, smiled and in a slightly sarcastic way said, "Oh, your gonna love that."

As the sun began to rise, I boarded the COD, floatation device and helmet securely fastened. The seating, far from first class, faces backward and the only windows are two tiny portholes, one on each side. Some lucky guy beat me to that seat. We taxied down the runway for what seemed like an eternity in the dark and musty belly of the COD. The helmet is killing my skull. I try to readjust it and accidentally pull the ear muffs away from my ears. Man, it's loud in here!

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, 2003

Finally, the propellers speed up, the whole bird begins to shake and we lurch down the runway. UGH! What is the smell? Is the exhaust pipe under my seat? Is this thing safe? What am I doing here? I think my editor might be trying to have me killed.

Miraculously, we get airborne. This isn't so bad. It's weird being backward, but not too bad. Would be better if I didn't have this helmet.

We fly for about 45 minutes. Since the ship is in an undisclosed location, we weren't given an estimated time of arrival, so we just sit nervously and anticipate the unknown. We have been descending slowly over the past 10 minutes. Just under an hour into the flight the COD suddenly takes a hard left, and I do mean hard. The 5-point seat belt seems to be doing its job as the plane quickly descends at a near 90-degree angle. My stomach feels like it's coming out of my eyes. This is intense. The downward, gut-wrenching turn goes on for over a minute; we even out, whew, turning again, oh boy.

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, 2003

The COD has transformed into a teeter-totter as we make the final approach. The Airman waves his hands up and yells "10 seconds - 10 seconds!" A sudden drop...BAM! I am now one with my seat as we are recovered by the third of four arresting wires on the flight deck of the Constellation.

Minutes later the back hatch lowers, a cool rush of Gulf air fills the COD and we are greeted by a colorful group of alien-looking deck crews. A swarm of men wearing red, purple, yellow and green shirts escorts us out of the COD as an F/A-18 touches down 20 yards away. We made it. You can have your helmet back.

Soon, I will get launched from the carrier's steam powered catapult in that same COD. Something to look forward to.

Related Links:

Justin Sullivan's member page

Aboard 'The Connie': A Photographer's Diary. Part 1

Aboard 'The Connie': A Photographer's Diary. Part 2

Aboard 'The Connie': A Photographer's Diary. Part 4

Aboard The Bonhomme Richard: A Photographer's Diary. Part 5