2014 13th MEU Tiger Cruise

[Old Bearkat]

I'vbe been away for the last 2 weeks doing a tiger cruise with #3 Marine son on the ship he's been on the last 9 months, the USS Boxer, a 48000 ton assault carrier.

After I get back from moving #4 son from his college campus apartment this weekend, I'll post a few pictures and videos I took while on board.

 

[smokeyjoe53]

Way cool ................. get 'em posted........ I take it they didn't have casinos or entertainment provided????????

 

[Old Bearkat]

Way cool ................. get 'em posted........ I take it they didn't have casinos or entertainment provided????????

Nope.......at least in the enlisted personnel areas......

 

[smokeyjoe53]

I guess they save that for the zeros.................

 

[Old Bearkat]

Harrier takeoff. The Boxer carries 6 Harrier fighters. The day before WE left the ship, almost all the air wing took off and flew into the navy base at Oceanside, ot is it Del Mar?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9677898@N ... otostream/

 

[Old Bearkat]

After all 6 took off, they did a flyby of the Boxer.

BTW....I took these videos from the Vuture's walk, the area on the island over the flight deck.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9677898@N ... otostream/

 

[Old Bearkat]

The Navy doing a little target practice on a "killer tomato", using the 4 twin .50 cal machine guns mounted on each corner and the 25mm Bushmaster cannons mounted amidship on both sides.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9677898@N02/14047411793/

 

[Old Bearkat]

A V-22 Osprey taking off from the carrier......unloaded.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9677898@N02/14027505765/

 

[Old Bearkat]

This Osprey was fully loaded with about 25 or so fully geared up Marines. Tom is in the 1/4 Marines, aka "China Marines" Charlie Company. Charlie Company got to leave the day before, except for those members who had Tigers aboard (about 5), one of which was the company XO, a young captain who graduated A&M in 2009.

Marines loading up in one Osprey.

A fully loaded Osprey doing a rolling takeoff

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9677898@N02/14024483672/

 

[Old Bearkat]

A Huey from the New Orleans taking off after a practice landing..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9677898@N02/14004634566/

 

[Old Bearkat]

The Vulture's Walk on the Boxer, where all the vidoes were shot.

 

[Old Bearkat]

Me and two of my 4 sons. Corporal Tom Wooten in front, and fireman/paramedic Bob Wooten behind me.

He's an 0331 - machine gunner and a team leader on a M-240B machine gun.

 

[Old Bearkat]

Me holding a grenade gun......

 

[Old Bearkat]

While waiting for Tom's ship to come in, Bob and I did a little sightseeing in Oahu....

The #3 main gun turret well on the Arizona

 

[Old Bearkat]

Bob and Tom in front of the #1 main turret on the Missouri.

 

[Old Bearkat]

The view of the fantail of the Boxer as we left it Thursday afternoon on a LCU. The grins of the Marines as they were leaving their home for the last 9 months could have lit Los Angeles.

 

[Old Bearkat]

Tom's smile alone could light a small town as he is greeted by a wife he has not seen in 9 months.

 

[Old Bearkat]

I'll try to get a few more loaded tomorrow.......

 

[CowboyP]

Great stuff. Glad you got to spend some time with your sons.

 

[Shad Kline]

I always enjoyed the tiger cruise. What was everyday norm for most of us, was usually quite fascinating to the guests. They always seemed to have a lot of fun.