OceanShooter : Ship and Boat

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4. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Ship Supercarrier images gallery. 4. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Ship Supercarrier photos and pictures collection.
Abraham Lincoln participated in Operation Fiery Vigil, the evacuation of USAF and USN dependents trapped within the Philippines when the volcano Mount Pinatubo erupted. The mountain’s fury blackened the skies across Angeles City and much of the main Filipino island of Luzon for nearly 36 hours, and Typhoon Yunya added to the devastation when it slammed inland with fierce winds and rain. The rain eventually cleared the atmosphere of most of the choking and blinding ash, but the disaster deposited a heavy eight-inch coating of grey ash over much of the area around NS Subic Bay and NAS Cubi Point, and sailors observed that the residue gave the landscape the appearance of dry cement. The ash crushed many lightweight structures, and a chalky film covered the bay, which presented the appearance of a translucent shade of green. The disaster cut electricity and water to the base for two days, and only heavy trucks could grind their way through the morass to reach victims. Rescue workers also contended with earthquake aftershocks. Abraham Lincoln transported 4,323 people, mostly USN and USAF dependents from Subic Bay and Cubi Point and from Clark Air Base (AB) to Cebu City on Cebu, for further evacuation to Guam and the continental U.S. Sailors and marines also brought on board as many pets as they could save. Crewmembers recorded over 250 helo lifts required to off-load evacuees and over 500 pets, and the ship’s historian noted that the sailors and marines performed the “Herculean effort…efficiently and with compassion.” Sailors surrendered berths to exhausted people, and those of the Medical Department provided special medications, diapers, formula, baby food and hygiene articles to evacuees. Among the aircraft that transferred to make room on board for people, were five from VA-95 that flew ashore to Kadena AB on Okinawa. “This is the best treatment I’ve had in more than a week,” Sgt. Tony Ellis, assigned to the USAF 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, said. “Sailors stopped and asked us if we needed help if we looked lost. We could have been going in the opposite direction and they would turn around and go all the way to the other end of the ship just to help us find our way. These guys are great!” Crewmembers generously raised more than $12,000 to aid victims. Sailors converted sections of Hanger Bay No. 3 into what they called “The Dog Pound” for the myriad of evacuated pets. One sailor slept on a piece of cardboard covered by frightened Dachshunds, and sailors and marines built a variety of shelters to accommodate dogs and cats. “The challenges came in the form of puppies,” EM1 Richard Cunningham, who supervised the pet shelters, explained. “We have a Doberman with nine pups. There’s a sign up to warn people to keep their fingers out of the travel case [from the protective mother].” Cunningham noted that he enjoyed working around most of the animals, especially friendly canines. “They love to cuddle, and they really appreciate attention.” Abraham Lincoln sailed more than 1,800 nautical miles through inshore waters, which required careful attention to detail from her Navigation Department due to other vessels, treacherous shoals and currents. The ship also supported guided missile cruiser Lake Champlain (CG-57) as she evacuated a further 844 people and their pets during three trips in and out of the disaster area. Lake Champlain’s historian noted that the devastation and the suffering of the victims “overwhelmed” her crewmembers. Thousands of Filipino looters, however, magnified the tragedy by adding a dark note to the heroic efforts of rescuers when lawless elements climbed over the gates and ransacked abandoned homes. In many instances the looters wiped out everything of value for entire families including treasured mementoes, and so many swamped the gates that they overwhelmed military policemen by their sheer numbers and determination.

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3. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Ship Supercarrier images gallery. 3. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Ship Supercarrier photos and pictures collection.
The carrier stood out of the channel for her shakedown cruise, principally to accomplish flight deck certification. After running the degaussing range while sailing out of the Norfolk area, she conducted antenna radiation testing and embarked five SH-3H Sea Kings from HS-17. Utilizing Mk-38 mini-mobile anti-submarine warfare targets, the helos flew the first submarine hunting operations from the ship. The embarkation of the helicopters also became providential when one of the Sea Kings performed the first medical evacuation from the ship while underway one Sunday morning. The aircraft took off within minutes with a sailor suffering from intestinal bleeding, and flew to Portsmouth (Va.) Naval Hospital, where the man recovered several days later. That week during evening hours, a false alarm man overboard call prompted the launch of two Sea Kings that searched for an hour and a half without spotting anyone in the water. Two musters yielded all hands accounted for. In addition, the ship accomplished over all combat system testing, and recorded her first catapult launch and recovery of fixed wing aircraft. Victory 201, a Grumman F-14A Tomcat from VF-84, however, temporarily assigned to the Naval Air Test Center (NATC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md., Capt. William B. Hayden, Abraham Lincoln’s commanding officer, pilot, and Comdr. Charles K. Crandall, Jr., radar intercept officer, trapped on the No. 3 wire, and then launched to return ashore (1 December). Capt. John F. Manning, Jr., Commander Carrier Air Wing (CVW)-8, followed them almost immediately in a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet from VFA-15. “Today we became a real aircraft carrier” Capt. Hayden proudly commented. “The launching and recovery of aircraft is what this business is all about.” Two days later inspectors declared the flight deck certified for aircraft operations. Crewmembers also held their first ship wide divine services on board, on the foc’sle, as well as the initial Orthodox Divine Liturgy, in the chapel. Abraham Lincoln rendezvoused with ammunition ship Suribachi (AE-21) for her first underway replenishment, which she accomplished using Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knights that hauled 250 lifts over to the carrier (9 December). During this period crewmembers also conducted dynamic interface testing of two NATC Sikorsky SH-60F Seahawks, and assisted investigators in Grumman E-2C Hawkeye upgrade 2 testing (CNO project 760). In addition, Abraham Lincoln slid alongside Military Sealift Command (MSC)-operated oiler Leroy Grumman (T-AO-195) for her first refueling at sea, and took on 527,782 gallons of JP-5 fuel. The ship returned to Pier 12 South at Norfolk.

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2. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Ship Supercarrier images gallery. 2. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Ship Supercarrier photos and pictures collection.
The carrier Abraham Lincoln departed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash., on Wednesday after nine months of maintenance and upgrades. Thirty berths, 11 heads and the main galley were renovated, and training areas and classrooms were added in the $250 million effort. The 20-year old flattop also got four new screws, updated self-defense weapons systems and a resurfaced flight deck. Lincoln, the fifth Nimitz-class carrier, will spend the next five days conducting sea trials that will include 90 checks and exercises. It then will return to its home port of Naval Station Everett, Wash., for further training and integration with the ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group 9. “Sea trials are a culmination of a year’s worth of diligent planning and hard work,” Capt. Patrick Hall, Lincoln’s commanding officer, said in a news release. “Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval Air Forces and the Lincoln crew really came together as a team to make this a successful maintenance period.” A ship-wide Navy Occupational Safety and Health inspection will take place while underway. Catapults and jet blast deflectors and aviation fueling systems will be tested, and demonstrations of search and rescue equipment will be conducted. Everything from firefighting capabilities to food service to navigation equipment will also be evaluated to determine the ship’s mission readiness. “I’m extremely proud of what this crew has accomplished over the past year,” Hall said. “Lincoln is ready to become operational, execute our nation’s maritime strategy and rejoin the fleet as a global force for good.” Though Navy officials will not comment on future deployments, Lincoln is a strong candidate to replace Nimitz when that carrier returns to San Diego in March after an eight-month deployment. John C. Stennis remains in Bremerton, Wash., for maintenance and workups and has been out twice since 2007, including a 2009 deployment. Lincoln hasn’t gone since 2008. The Ronald Reagan is an unlikely candidate, as the carrier is at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., for maintenance following four deployments in as many years.

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USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Wallpaper 1
1. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Ship Supercarrier images gallery. 1. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Ship Supercarrier photos and pictures collection.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), is the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier in the United States Navy. She is the second Navy ship named after former president Abraham Lincoln. Her home port is Everett, Washington. Lincoln's contract was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding on 27 December 1982; her keel was laid 3 November 1984 at Newport News, Virginia. The ship was launched on 13 February 1988 and commissioned on 11 November 1989. She cost $4.5 billion in 2007 dollars. Abraham Lincoln was transferred to the Pacific in September 1990 performing Gringo-Gaucho with the Argentine Naval Aviation during her transit. Her maiden Western Pacific deployment came unexpectedly on 28 May 1991 in response to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. While heading towards the Indian Ocean, the ship was diverted to support evacuation operations after Mount Pinatubo erupted on Luzon Island in the Philippines. In support of Operation Fiery Vigil, Lincoln led a 23-ship armada that moved over 45,000 people from the Subic Bay Naval Station to the port of Cebu in the Visayas. It was the largest peacetime evacuation of active military personnel and their families in history. After Fiery Vigil, Lincoln steamed toward the Persian Gulf, to run reconnaissance and combat air patrols in Iraq and Kuwait, assisting allied and US troops involved with Desert Storm. In early 1992, the ship was at Naval Air Station Alameda on Ship's Restricted Availability (SRA) for minor maintenance and refitting. From June 1993 Lincoln was the flagship of Commander, Carrier Group Three. In October 1993, the carrier was ordered to the coast of Somalia to assist UN humanitarian operations. For four weeks, Abraham Lincoln flew air patrols over Mogadishu in support of Operation Restore Hope. Abraham Lincoln was to be the first carrier to integrate female aviators into the crew after the Combat Exclusion Laws were lifted on 28 April 1993. The ship left San Diego on 24 October 1994, to begin refresher training. The next day, Lieutenant Kara Spears Hultgreen, first female F-14 Tomcat pilot, died when her plane crashed into the sea on final approach due to a combination of engine malfunction and pilot error. Abraham Lincoln's third deployment began in April 1995 when Lincoln was sent to the Persian Gulf, where the ship assisted in Southern Watch and in Operation Vigilant Sentinel.[citation needed] During an underway replenishment, the Lincoln was run into by USS Sacramento when the Sacramento had steering difficulties due to a split rudder, crushing the port side of the USS Sacramento, crushing the M-frames, partially crushing a female crew berthing area, and punching a large hole in the Sacramento’s superstructure. (TACAN room) The Lincoln was able to continue on with her mission while the Sacramento had to dock at Jebel Ali, U.A.E. for several weeks for repair.