Same fight by land or sea

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melissa Koskovich
  • U.S. Central Command Air Forces-Forward Public Affairs
USS RONALD REAGAN AT SEA (AFPN) --  My stomach turned under the negative Gs as we fell from the sky.  The jolt of the aircraft hitting the carrier deck ended this sensation, and seconds later, the cargo hatch opened.  Sun rays cut through the darkness in the tin can-like cabin and silhouettes in brightly colored shirts emerged from the smoke rising from the ramp.  One thing was certain -- this was no Air Force base. 

One of 10 Airmen arriving aboard this Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for an orientation tour, I stood in awe watching the activity around me. 

The ship’s surface crawled with urgent life. Equipment, aircraft and sailors moved in choreographed action, framed by the radiant blue waters of the Arabian Gulf. 

Surrounded by the blue, red, yellow, green and purple shirts on the sailors from different functions, I felt out of place in my desert uniform. 

Put at ease by friendly faces and welcomed by the ship’s command chief, we were led through a layered maze of tunnels and stairs. I imagined just how lost I could get in this ship as we arrived at a room designated as our group’s rendezvous point. 

From there, we divided into smaller groups and began a two-day journey aboard the ship. 

We explored every inch of the ship, experiencing everything from onboard dining to flying operations. Feeling the vibrations of F/A-18 Hornet aircraft engines, hearing their thunder echo across the ocean, and watching their wingtips trace lines in the sky is an experience I will never forget. 

Along with these thrills, I witnessed the professionalism of the Sailors who were deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.  They were focused and fine-tuned, even with some of life’s luxuries gone. 

Working with limited resources in cramped spaces, complicated tasks like bomb-loading and engine repair were carried out with precision, even with the constant presence of loud noises and safety hazards. 

The scenes aboard the ship were like nothing I had ever seen. Yet in their organized complexity, I was reminded of Air Force operations. The tools, uniforms and routines were different, but the pride, determination and sense of mission were the same. 

As our visit came to a close, we said our goodbyes and loaded back into the rickety-looking, yet reliable, C-2A carrier onboard delivery aircraft, known as a “COD.” 

After the engines started, I closed my eyes in anticipation. Seconds later, the catapult hurled us across the deck, sending us soaring into the sky. 

I thought back on my experiences on the Reagan and saw in my mind the faces of the Sailors. In those faces I saw the reflections of Airmen. We all love our country and we are all fighting the same fight, whether we stage it from the land or sea. 

At that moment, I understood the true meaning of  "joint team."