By Irv Cuevas
A beautiful day off the Southern California coast provided the setting for the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)’s latest Friends and Family Day Cruise on April 25, but also a splendid opportunity for the Newport Beach, Calif. Navy League Council to resume its years-long sponsorship of the giant warship. Several Council Board members and approximately 30 Council members joined an estimated two thousand family members and friends of the ship’s crew for the day at sea — an excellent time for all the young sailors to show their loved ones and friends exactly what their role is in keeping Vinson operating powerfully and safely while underway.
In keeping with its sponsorship mission, one put on hold for at least two years because of COVID, board members were given time by CO Captain P. Scott Miller as he welcomed all onboard in the Hangar Bay shortly after Vinson departed its dock at North Island Naval Air Station/Coronado, Calif.
That’s when, one by one, Navy League board members presented their unique boatswain pipes and engraved box holders and checks to eight of the 16 sailors who’d earned and been chosen by ship’s officers for various achievements in their ratings during FY-22.
That accomplished, all had the opportunity for up-close-and-personal tours of many of the workspaces on the sprawling vessel, all as all onboard were treated to three meal services prepared by Vinson’s culinary specialists. There were even movies on a giant screen, and special attractions and games for the younger visitors.
Capping off the day was a spectacular air-power demonstration that included simulated bombing runs in the distance; F-18 Hornet touch-and-go’s and catapult-shots from the massive flight deck; and F-18 high speed and chopper fly-bys. Council President Bert Ohlig encourages all to become Navy League members, not only to have opportunities such as this, but to support our nation’s maritime services.