Mississippi Group Tests ‘Sea Legs’ Aboard Carrier

By Penny Randall, Naval Air Station Meridian Public Affairs

NAVAL AIR STATION MERIDIAN, Miss. (NNS) — Unforgettable.
Amazing.
Overwhelming.
Inspirational.

These are the one word sentiments of just a few of the distinguished visitors from Mississippi who recently spent 24 hours aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CNV 71) located 120 miles off the coast of Florida.

The Distinguished Visitor (DV) program is hosted by Naval Air Forces and is focused on giving citizens a rare firsthand look at life aboard an aircraft carrier to witness the pride and professionalism of the young men and women who serve our country at sea.

DVs are leaders in their local and state civic, education or business communities and include legislative representatives, city council members, corporate executives, educators, and other leaders of broad-based organizations who have not served in the military.

Participating in the Aug. 22-23 trip was Nick Bain, Mississippi House of Representatives Michael Evans and Kyle Rutledge, Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors; Dede Mogollon, director of Tourism for Lauderdale County; and Jim Copeland, NAS Meridian community planning liaison officer.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that opened my eyes to everything that goes into providing safety and security for our country,” Mogollon said. “It gives me an even stronger appreciation for our armed services.”

The trip began with all the participants meeting in Norfolk, Virginia, where the group boarded a C2 Greyhound – also known as a Carrier Onboard Delivery, or COD, aircraft. The aircraft has only two windows, the seats face backwards, and it has one ramp in the back where you enter and exit the aircraft. The arrested landing is the same as for jets – the plane’s “hook” catches the arresting cable and you are immediately jerked to a stop. But you’re safely strapped to the seat with a four-point harness that holds you tightly in the seat. At the same time you’re wearing a life vest, “cranial” helmet and ear protection from the extreme noise.

Once aboard the carrier, the group was greeted by Roosevelt’s Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Grieco and then began an escorted tour of the carrier to experience the daily life of Sailors. Public affairs officers Lt. Cmdr. Reann Mommsen and Ensign Jack Georges served as guides.

First stop was at the carrier’s bridge and vulture’s row looking down on the flight deck as student naval aviators from NAS Meridian completed their carrier qualifications in the T-45C Goshawk. Eleven Training Air Wing 1 student naval aviators successfully completed qualifications, one requirement to earn their “Wings of Gold” during their nearly year-long T-45C training syllabus.

“I was very impressed with how well the pilots from Meridian performed,” Rutledge said. “We are very blessed to have the Navy base in Meridian. It is a vital part of our hometown and of our U.S. Navy.”

The highlight for most was being able to stand on the flight deck, wearing protective equipment of course, just feet from jets as they landed and took off from the carrier.

“Jets were screaming in at 140 mph and stopping on a postage stamp while just feet away others are blasting off,” Copeland said. “Sailors in multi-colored T-shirts are making all that happen. Below decks the roar of the jets and the screech of the catapults are slightly muffled as other Sailors repair the ship, prepare meals, and do the thousands of things needed to operate a carrier. It is a city, but a city united with a purpose – ‘to walk softly but carry a big stick.'”

Evans said he knew as soon as he was approved to go on the trip that it would be an adventure.

“But I had no idea what it was going to really be like,” Evans said. “From the landing, to meeting all the Sailors, and touring the ship – it was very educational. It was such an honor to get the opportunity to see our Navy in action.”

Mogollon agreed: “This experience opened my eyes to everything that goes into providing security for our country. It gives me an even stronger appreciation for our armed services. I enjoyed interacting with Sailors and learning their stories of why they joined the military. They have all made sacrifices to serve our country.”

The group visited hangar deck control, disbursing, primary flight control, medical, dental and the jet engine shop.

“I was touched by the selflessness of the work they do,” Bain said. “It’s not easy, and some of it is extremely physical labor. It was like a small city, and I was impressed how well all the departments and people work so well together.”

Bain said one of the highlights was meeting Lt. Jeremy Wilbanks who currently serves as a physician’s assistant in the Medical Department aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Wilbanks is from Bain’s hometown of Cornith, Mississippi.

“It seems like no matter where I go in the country I meet someone from Mississippi,” Bain said. “I was extremely proud to see that Lt. Wilbanks found such great success for himself and is an officer in the U.S. Navy. I actually got in touch with his mother after our trip to tell her that I met him and that she should be very proud to have a son serving in the U.S. Navy.”

The average population aboard Roosevelt is 3,000 military members. Once squadrons arrive on the carrier, the population is almost 5,000 people and nearly 100 aircraft.

“It was very inspiring for me to see men and women of all ages serving our country,” Rutledge said. “They sacrifice not being able to see and communicate with their friends and family for weeks to months at a time. It was hard enough for me to go without talking to my family for a little over 24 hours. I cannot imagine the homesickness they must overcome. It is a very humbling thought, and I appreciate them immensely.”

The group enjoyed meals with the officers and enlisted Sailors and engaged them in conversations about their jobs and life goals.

“I will always remember the many conversations we had with the crew,” Copeland said. “These young people have dedicated themselves to a cause that is so much bigger than their own personal enjoyment of life, and so much bigger than the pursuit of the American dream.”