LIFE ON BOARD: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower - Deployment 2020

I recently had the opportunity (in other words I was required to be there) to be on the record breaking, 206 day long, deployment of CSG-10, CVW-3, and of course the second oldest aircraft carrier in the fleet of the United States Navy: CVN 69 The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. This is a compilation of all of the footage I got while I was out there. Enjoy!

[scotthiorns]

I’m an old, broken down sailor. So old, my rate doesn’t exist anymore. I retired as a BT1. Great video. Made me miss ship board life. I’m writing this, sitting in my living room after an 18” of snow blizzard in western Massachusetts. I’m here, free to write this and drink a few beers because people like you are willing to sacrifice your time for our freedom. Thank you for carrying on the tradition. Thank you for your service. BZ, sailor.

[KenGriffiths]

Jeez! I'm an old Royal Navy veteran 1980 to 1995 and can not imagine spending nearly eight months deployed without any port visits. I take my hat off to you you lady, best wishes and hope you are having a well deserved Christmas break. Keep the faith and all the best for your future. Yours aye!

[CAPONE-upmw]

I served aboard the IKE while I was attached to VA-66, I was an AD3, we sat in the Gulf of Oman, outside the Persian Gulf for 9 straight months(over 270 days) without seeing a port. That was when Iran was holding Americans hostage during 1979-80. It was different back then, no internet, cell phones etc...
Thanks for the video, it brings back some proud memories and THANK YOU for your service

[williamwise]

I once visited the Ike back in 88 when I was in the USAF in England when it was in Portsmith. Just to say we all here in the States are behind you all 101% You are the front of Americas Spear. Let me say "When you feel down, there are others looking up to you!" As a now retired member I can say your in the best days of your life now. Be safe and make us all proud!
Bill

[chrissyparks]

Thank you so much for this video! My son, Caleb Parks, was on the San Jac during this deployment. His entire family appreciates you making this video and sharing it with us. We are a large family of many sailors, men and women. We thank all y'all for all you do.

[shaneco]

Thank you for your service and for sharing this video! This video took me back 31 years from when I served on that ship! In the First Gulf War, and I was an AMH3 mechanic in VAQ-140, and a Plane Captain for 2 years prior to that. I will Never forget the experience, and memories that came from the Flight Ops. that I was involved in, the port calls, and that awesome ship. Don't get me wrong, I wanted off of that ship ASAP....but now, as I have gotten older and gone through life, I would go back and do it all over again, in a drop of a hat!!!

[gailfaig]

Civilians don’t realize or appreciate the lifestyle aboard a ship, especially during the pandemic. As a Navy mom, thank you for serving and making this video. My son is in middle of deployment doing pretty much what is shown here. I suspected it was tiring days of looking at water with no port calls & living in tight quarters.

[Prowler]

Thanks for posting this! My son was ships company on this deployment. It's nice to see some of the things you all did. And, the Puget Sound shots at the end brought back memories. I was a Prowler ECMO back in the early 90's.

[Gearsm]

That deployment was so fun! I’m so excited to go right back out on that ship again for another 8 months, and the best part is that we gotta rom during New Years! I couldn’t have asked for anything more, this is gonna be so great!

[BackyardTinkerer]

This was my first deployment spent the first few months below decks “cranking” in laundry. Got that done and headed up to the flight deck wearing brown. Started for a week or so on days then switched to nights for the duration of deployment. Worked the end of flight schedule carried 12 chains to tie the jets down, did the inspection of the aircraft, took samples of the fuel, then worked the rest of the night washing jets until the sun came up. 12 on 12 off. Days went by quick, weeks flew by and months seamed never ending. VFA-105 Gunslingers Tonight We RIDE!!!

[mtyhntr]

Oh my, I was attached to VA-34 BLUEBLASTERS out of Nas Oceana. We broke this ship in brand new coming off of JFK CV-67. Memories for sure. To think its already been refueled once makes me feel old. A truly great ship. Thank you for sharing this. I am saddened that our A6 & F14'S mothballed. You all be safe out there.

[randygravel]

Enjoy. You won’t realize how cool this was until your older. 🤙

[johnphillips]

I can’t believe that you would go on a whole cruise without going into some kind of a port. I totally get it, but I can imagine why you’re so exhausted. I went on a Westpac in1979 1980. But in those days there was no email, no cell phones, just handwritten letters. Thank you for your service. It’s hard for people to understand what is going on a navy ship is like I’m being away for seven or eight months unless you have actually done it.

[bud]

Two surprises, how much rust and flaking paint, and how dirty the crew lets the ship get. When I was in we would be on our hands and knees cleaning, that was in the 60s so I guess things have really changed. Good job on the video.

[nasaengtech]

Thank you for making this video. I was on The Ike from drydock to drydock waaaayyyy back in 1996-2001. I made 2 med-gulf cruises, and we thought they sucked back then....but we had no idea. Doing an entire deployment with no port visits is insane, and could only lead to insanity among the crew. It is crazy that you guys had to do this.

I was a bit surprised to see how rusty things were on that ship. Actually shocked was more like it.

[CaptainFantastik]

That’s a brutal underway schedule without port calls.

[sondrawatts]

Thanks for posting, my son was on this deployment and is currently doing another one...back to back! Thanks for your service! ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸⚓️

[Materiallyfe]

This video brought tears to my eye... from the entertainment concept, to the fireworks, to the peaceful waters... I can't even imagine what it had to do to you mentally spending 206 days with zero possibility of land during a pandemic... And, medically speaking CDC was unclear how to treat it or how it maneuver... you did an amazing job editing this Video...

[gulfcoastliving]

Thank you for your service to our country and citizens. Most civilians have no idea or understanding the level of commitment required to serve in the military. Your videos help share that message of dedication and courage.

Stay safe out there!

[trishbrennan]

Thank you for your service and for this video. My son flew with the Wildcats during this deployment and his wife had their first child in May while you guys were gone. Best wishes for the future, Erin.