I reported aboard PCU George Washington in 1991 while GW was at Newport News Shipbuilding. The pre-com days were some of the best. I spent the first year in the training detachment at NS Norfolk. I was a AD (Aviation Machinist's Mate) Assigned to AIMD IM-2 Div. I was there for the commissioning July 4, 1992 and made the maiden deployment in 1994. Besides the commissioning the 50th anniversary of D-Day and seeing President Clinton onboard were the most memorable events. I left in 1995 with an honorable discharge and making Petty Officer Third Class. Any IM-2 guys out there?
I was the CMC for VAW-121 and we did all the work-ups with the ship as part of her commissioning crew. I had three wonderful moments onboard her. My first berthing was a state room right under the number 3 arresting wire. I can still hear and feel the birds dropping on my head at night. :) The second was standing between number 1 and number 2 CATs with an A6B and an F14 throttling up to full power for take off. I'm glad I still have my teeth and bones. :) Lastly, was getting bonged off the ship as part of my retirement. I was lucky to be the CMC of such a wonderful squadron and a great ship!
Jerry, you're a plank owner if you're ship's company on the day that the ship is commissioned. It's mainly intended for those who were there in the pre-commissioning days and are part of the ship's first crew. The air wing isn't considered to be part of the ship's crew. As with the Battle E, though, you can be a plank owner being in a squadron when it's commissioned even if the ship you deploy on has been around for a while.
Speaking of plank owners, what was the cut off to be one? I'm thinking it was only ships company that were made plank owners as well, not the air wing guys, correct?
I reported onboard March 16, 1992 and left on March 12, 1996. I was the Honors BM for the commissioning on July 4, 1992. I was in 2nd Div and 1st Div during that time. As a plank owner it was an interesting experience. I think I was the last plank owner to leave the ship. Senior Chief Watson, I remember you well.
I reported aboard January 1994 and retired May 1995. Senior Chief Boatswain, the LCPO of Deck Department. This was my fourth aircraft carrier. I reported on my first ship the USS Saint Paul CA-73 Heavey Crusier and Departed the Navy on the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON CV-73 I think this is a ohman of 73!!! any members my e-mail ronwats@frontiernet.net
I worked in V- 2 cat 2 from 1991- 1994 . I was ABE3 when my enlistment ended . I am a plankowner . I got to see the catapult shoot dead loads into the james river I appreciate the memories now . back then I took it for granted .
Was part of SeaOpDet at Oceana AIMD (I was an AT2) from 93-97 and sailed with the GW on all her workups and cruises, including her maiden voyage in '94 that included a visit to England and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of D-Day off the coast of Normandy in June '94 and her second cruise in '96. Served 12 years in the Navy, the last four on the GW!!
Comments
Food Service Officer 1994-1996
I was the CMC for VAW-121 and we did all the work-ups with the ship as part of her commissioning crew. I had three wonderful moments onboard her. My first berthing was a state room right under the number 3 arresting wire. I can still hear and feel the birds dropping on my head at night. :) The second was standing between number 1 and number 2 CATs with an A6B and an F14 throttling up to full power for take off. I'm glad I still have my teeth and bones. :) Lastly, was getting bonged off the ship as part of my retirement. I was lucky to be the CMC of such a wonderful squadron and a great ship!
Jerry, you're a plank owner if you're ship's company on the day that the ship is commissioned. It's mainly intended for those who were there in the pre-commissioning days and are part of the ship's first crew. The air wing isn't considered to be part of the ship's crew. As with the Battle E, though, you can be a plank owner being in a squadron when it's commissioned even if the ship you deploy on has been around for a while.
Speaking of plank owners, what was the cut off to be one? I'm thinking it was only ships company that were made plank owners as well, not the air wing guys, correct?
I reported onboard March 16, 1992 and left on March 12, 1996. I was the Honors BM for the commissioning on July 4, 1992. I was in 2nd Div and 1st Div during that time. As a plank owner it was an interesting experience. I think I was the last plank owner to leave the ship. Senior Chief Watson, I remember you well.
I reported aboard January 1994 and retired May 1995. Senior Chief Boatswain, the LCPO of Deck Department. This was my fourth aircraft carrier. I reported on my first ship the USS Saint Paul CA-73 Heavey Crusier and Departed the Navy on the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON CV-73 I think this is a ohman of 73!!! any members my e-mail ronwats@frontiernet.net
I worked in V- 2 cat 2 from 1991- 1994 . I was ABE3 when my enlistment ended . I am a plankowner . I got to see the catapult shoot dead loads into the james river I appreciate the memories now . back then I took it for granted .
Was part of SeaOpDet at Oceana AIMD (I was an AT2) from 93-97 and sailed with the GW on all her workups and cruises, including her maiden voyage in '94 that included a visit to England and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of D-Day off the coast of Normandy in June '94 and her second cruise in '96. Served 12 years in the Navy, the last four on the GW!!
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