Um. Did I just hear that correctly with earplugs blocking out only some of the loud hum of the C130 I was strapped up in the cargo bay of? A quick look at my coworker, dressed in just as many layers as me, confirmed that I had. What did we get ourselves into?
Not quite the same experience I had on Turkish Airways just a few weeks ago, but I found it somewhat reassuring that I could see my bag stacked on a pallet 10 feet away so I knew it was on board. Shoot the fact that the bathroom was a curtain and a bucket didn't even phase me because I was finally on my way to Rota!
The flight experience was sure something I'll never forget. Think old war footage with soldiers in the planes and that was pretty much us. Well, not quite between having to rely on my pilot coworkers to maneuver my seat-belt and keep telling me what was next, I have never felt like such a rookie flyer. Of course I didn't look like a homeless person standing in a small huddle with a beanie tight over my head, hands jammed into my jacket pockets like some of the guys did. Some of us seriously wondered if they were going to light our luggage on fire to keep warm. (Yeah, it was really cold!)
The flight home was better for me because I know people and made my way up to the cockpit. Yes- it was awesome! How many times in one's life do you get to see the view from the sky out of the front window? And? There was heat up there so as I defrosted and chatted with the guys I just had to keep reminding myself that I was several thousand feet about the ground and not to panic and grab any of the hundreds of switches lining the ceiling and panels. The best part? I was actually still up there as we made our approach into Naples and landed. So many things need to take place to land and for once I got to see behind the scenes. I <3 my pilots.
So no, I didn't just fly up and back to Rota to log time riding as cargo. I headed up with several coworkers to go meet with the crew aboard the USNS SPEARHEAD, MSC's first of 10 Joint High Speed Vessels. She's not your average boat in capabilities or appearance...but she's really impressive. For you non Navy types, here's Katie's summary of JHSV- it's a really fast moving platform that can be outfitted with different modules depending on the mission. Best part? It doesn't cost nearly as much as ones built in the past! Inside, it really reminded me of the ferry we took to Sicily- complete with open cargo bay and lots of seats for the passengers. (If you want to read more, you should probably Google it and you'll find one of the publications that our PAO team has put out there.)
I spent the better part of a day touring the ship...hanging out on the bridge, climbing ladders down in the belly of the ship to see the engines, generators, and shafts. Our tour guide? The ship's Master, another fabulous CIVMAR that I've been able to meet with my gig here at MSC. I love it when they take time, my boss as well, to explain to me exactly how things work because should there be an issue and that funding document crosses my desk I a) know who I'm helping out, and b) know more or less what that #4 generator or shaft seal is.
Despite not securing a good spot to stow away, I was able to pick up a coin to commemorate this trip and maybe one day if there are more than 10 of these floating around the ocean to tell my kids I stepped foot on the first one after she made her first trek across the Atlantic to Rota where it was our office who supported her during her time in this part of the world.
Yes. I do hear myself. I'm not only talking about ships, but I'm excited about them. I'll be honest, some times after a ship tour, which reminds me about my time at sea, I can't help but wonder if I really belong behind a desk all day. And I think it's very clear my time as a DA Girl are behind me as I now speak Navy more fluently than Army.
