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|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2003-04-08
Aboard The Bonhomme Richard: A Photographer's Diary. Part 5
By Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, 2003
A Harrier jet is seen through night vision goggles as it takes off from the USS Bonhomme Richard.
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(Editors note: Justin Sullivan is a staff photographer for Getty Images based in San Francisco. He is currently on assignment aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard in the Persian Gulf.)
After nearly a month at sea on the Connie it was finally time to pack up my bags, say goodbye to new friends and get a ride back to shore on the COD with assistance from the steam-powered catapult. Let me just say this: If you have never been shot off a carrier, you need to find a way to make it happen. WOW! I never imagined that you could have so much fun on the COD. The catapult or "cat-shot" blasts you from 0-160 mph down the 200-foot track in two seconds. Everyone on board cheered and clapped their hands once the plane dipped down and became airborne at the end of the flight deck. I almost asked them to circle around so we could do it again.
My first steps on solid ground seemed foreign to me. I had become so accustomed to the 24-hour, vibrating deck that gently sways back and forth making it difficult to walk at times. Oh, maybe that was all that "Near Beer" that I drank. Never mind.
Once we left the airport, other things became noticeable like the absence of constant high-level noise and all of those ladders to climb. We joked about having hotel room service come and vacuum our rooms twice an hour all night long so we could sleep. The silence was deafening. It was also noted that food was flavorful and beer gave you a buzz.
I was able to enjoy a few cold ones with fellow Sports Shooter member Vincent Laforet who had just come back from the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. It was nice to share war stories from our time at sea while sipping beer that actually contained alcohol.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, 2003
The USS Bonhomme Richard cruises through the Persian Gulf near Kuwait.
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My stay in Bahrain was a short one. It ended abruptly at 2:30 AM three days after my arrival. The Navy really likes to get you up in the middle of the night just to have you wait for hours at an airbase before your flight. I was flown to the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard in a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter. What a behemoth. The military's biggest helicopter is used primarily for supply and troop transport. It is also capable of lifting military vehicles including M-1 Abrams tanks. Lucky for me, it could accommodate the extra weight I had gained while on the Connie.
The Bonhomme Richard is a unique ship with a lot to see. The main attraction is the U.S. Marines AV-8B Harrier jets, famous for their ability to take off and land vertically. They are pretty goofy looking, but very cool. Since watching planes has become my new hobby, I'm having tons of fun here.
The ship also has three Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC) that are used to embark Marine units and equipment from ship to shore. The hovercraft is also a well-known vomit machine. Many journalists have started calling them LYAK because you are likely to puke your guts out as it rolls over the contour of the ocean. Having knowledge of this, I turned down the offer to go for ride. I'm fine right here with my last meal safely in my stomach. Maybe they will let me trade in that offer for another ride on the catapult.
While I was waiting for the helicopter to arrive to take me back to Bahrain, a high-pitched tone came over the 1MC (public address system) followed by a hurried voice "General Quarters, General Quarters..." I thought a four-star general, with the family name Quarters, was arriving to pay us a visit. "General Quarters...man your battle stations for possible chemical attack...this is not a drill." Uh oh. Within minutes of the announcement we were rushed to a secure section of the ship where we donned our gas masks and waited for further instructions. The secured
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, 2003
Harrier jets land on the USS Bonhomme Richard.
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room is actually the mess hall. That made me happy. They are launching a chemical attack; you know what that means: Time to eat. I figure if I am going to get gassed, I might as well enjoy a nice snack. "Man all weapons," blares the 1MC. Muffled voices bark out orders to personnel in the room. This must be serious.
Finally, after about an hour, General Quarters was secured, our gas masks came off and life aboard the ship went back to normal.
Apparently a chemical sensor on the exterior of the ship alerted to a possible chemical agent which in turn activated the high-pitched alarm to go off and strike fear into the minds of the Bonhomme Richard crew. It was quite an experience seeing hundreds of sailors running through the passageways with gas masks secured to their faces. Some sailors were still in their workout clothes, fresh from the gym.
That was a close one. Glad it wasn't the real deal. I'd have been much happier if it had just been General Quarters coming to give a pep talk to the crew. Maybe he'll be by later this week.
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 3
Aboard 'The Connie': A Photographer's Diary. Part 4
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