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| Middle East |
| Tip Of The Spear: USS Constellation Parties in the New Year |
| 2002-12-31 |
| Sailors and Marines aboard USS Constellation aircraft carrier bring in early New Year Tue Dec 31, 9:27 AM ET By ADNAN MALIK, Associated Press Writer ABOARD THE USS CONSTELLATION - The fighter jets were chained down below, their bombs stowed away, and some 5,000 sailors turned the flight deck into giant picnic to celebrate the New Year a day early on Tuesday. No clouds of war looming over Iraq could spoil the taste of grilled chicken and steak, hot-dogs, corn-dogs, baked beans, potato chips, cookies and sodas — a feast prepared by 200 crew members. Some sailors tossed footballs to each other. Others got their toy radio-controlled cars to whizz across the steel deck. The holiday had been brought forward on the captain's orders because this 80,000 ton aircraft carrier has to conduct regular operations on Jan. 1, 2003. The ship has been taking part in flying patrols over southern Iraq since it arrived in the Gulf on Dec. 17. "It's nice to have a break from flying and recharge your batteries," said Lt. Cmdr. Chud of Malverne, New York. Chud, 36, who wanted to be identified only by his call sign, is a pilot for the S-3B Viking all-weather surveillance aircraft. Some sailors took time off from the "steel beach picnic" to go down below and exchange e-mail greetings with their families. "My wife and my son sent their love," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Ricky Carreon, 35, of San Diego, California. "They say, 'we love you so much,' and have asked me to be careful and take good care of myself," said Carreon who is involved in the hangar deck supervision. The crew includes about 40 women. "It's hard to be without your family, but I am trying not to think about it," said Ensign Elizabeth Shamanow, 39, of San Diego, California. On Wednesday, the carrier resumes full duties as it sails in the Gulf, launching aircraft to fly over southern Iraq. "Whether or not we are flying, or we are a steel beach picnic, we are ready," said Capt. John W. Miller, the carrier's commanding officer. As Miller took part in serving steaks to the crew, bombs ranging from 500 pounds to 2,000 pounds were stacked neatly in the ship's belly, ready to be loaded on to attack aircraft in the event of hostilities. "We bring a credible combat power to this area of responsibility," said Rear Adm. Barry Costello, the commander of the Constellation battle group. Few doubt that if war does break out, the Constellation's F-14D Super Tomcats and F/A-18C Hornets will lead the attack on Iraq. Mullah Omar and his "cave-mate" Osama bin laden havent been reached for their comments on their "new years" celebration plans, but sources close to the "movin mullah" have reported that it surely doesnt involve frisbee,steaks or 40 women, but more likely lice, rats and the not-so-pleasant company of the most constipated man in islam, his majesty Osama. |
| Posted by:Frank Martin |
| #1 I say, bring back the old English rum ration. A little grog is good for the hair trigger response. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2002-12-31 20:09:50 |