The Bloggers’ Embarks to the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier during May and early June christened a new journey of research and development on using social media to reach audiences of all kinds and ages.   I had nominated Guy Kawasaki for a Distinguished Visitor Program embark to an aircraft carrier.  Commander Charlie Brown, Public Affairs Officer for the Commander-Naval Air Forces-Pacific, selected Guy to participate, so I coordinated with Commander Brown and Guy to get him squared away to embark … paperwork, you know.  Guy embarked to the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier during late September 2008 with a group of 16 distinguished visitors from various professional disciplines.

Upon return to shore, Guy wrote the longest blog in history.  I try to meet up with people whom I’ve nominated and get selected, so I visited Guy at his offices of Garage Technology Ventures in Palo Alto, CA.  It was a reunion of sorts, as I’ve been acquainted with Guy since June of 2001 through the Asia Silicon Valley Connection (ASVC.org).  Bill Reichert, also a Managing Director, was there, too, that day, and we go back a few years, so we had a bit of a reunion roundtable.  Guy discussed with me his idea of a bloggers’ embark to an aircraft carrier.  He said, ‘what if the Navy loaded 16 bloggers into a Navy C-2 Greyhound transport and embarked them to sea.’  My gut reaction was that the Navy would love his idea.  So, I wrote the proposal, submitted it to Commander Charlie Brown, and as forecast … he immediately supported Guy Kawasaki’s vision.  He arranged for such an endeavor to-from an aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz (CVN-68).  Guy and I orchestrated the nomination process with the Navy during the latter part of 2008.  We embarked out with a total 16 bloggers, podcasters, experts, and authors during spring 2009.  I have that blog and links to the others here at my Avere Group blog.

Having achieved embarkations to-from an aircraft carriers with scores of blog and podcasts reaching hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide, it was time to explore other areas of the Navy.

To advance further understanding, Lieutenant junior grade Jan Shultis, a Public Affairs Officer (PAO) for the Commander, Naval Surface Forces – Pacific, coordinated with me to create a Bloggers’ Embark by Navy helicopter for September 10, 2009 to the very recently commissioned USS Green Bay underway in the Pacific Ocean.  Embarking via SH-60 Seahawk helicopter to and from the vessel were bloggers Deborah Keyek-Franssen, Jennifer Leo, Jennifer Van Grove, Gina Hughes , Adam Brown,  Jake McKee, and  Ponzi Pirillo, a most eclectic band of bloggers-podcasters.

Jennifer Van Grove and Jen Leo are Bloggers’ Embark veterans, as both embarked as part of a Bloggers’ Embark to the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier via fixed-wing aircraft, the Navy C-2 Greyhound, during May 20-30, 2009.  We arrived to the USS Nimitz abruptly via the tailhook of the C-2 snagging the arresting cable of the flightdeck.  The following day we departed via catapult launch aboard the C-2 off the bow.

Working closely with Navy Lieutenant Jan Shultis, I contacted bloggers-podcasters who embarked with me during May 29-30, 2009 to the USS Nimitz to see if they would like to participate in Leaders to Sea, the program implemented by the Commander-Naval Surface Forces.   While all wanted to do so, schedules were too packed except for Jennifer Van Grove and Jennifer Leo.  Assisting me in finding high-profile bloggers-podcasters were  Guy Kawasaki, Andy Sernovitz, Jennifer Jones, Beth Blecherman, and Robert Scoble in making referrals to other bloggers-podcasters.  Their referrals lead to instant success! For example, Beth Blecherman referred me to Gina Hughes. She accepted the opportunity for me to nominate her, and she in turn recommended several bloggers, e.g. Ponzi Purillo and Jake McKee.

The embark began early in the morning at 7:00 a.m. PST (o700 hours).  All arrived to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, the Headquarters for the Commander-Naval Surface Forces-Pacific, and incidentally, the home, too, of our Navy SEALs (Sea Air Land warriors).   Video of Boarding the UH-60 Seahawk shot by Jennifer Van Grove. The sky was filled with dark cumulous clouds, but winds were light.  Following take-off, the cameras came out. Here is video shot by Jennifer Van Grove. Writes Gina Hughes in her Facebook posting, “We took a helicopter ride to the USS Green Bay in San Diego. What an experience!” (turn down volume)

Per Navy Lieutenant Jan Shultis, and the bloggers, the Bloggers’ Embark was an immense success.  You may immediately see posts for on Facebook for Gina Hughes (TechieDiva.com) and Jennifer Van Grove, and Ponzi Pirillo.

Lieutenant (j.g.) Jan Shultis, Public Affairs Officer, Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Pacific

Bloggers-Podcasters

It’s not just a blog; it’s an adventure.

USS Green Bay cap for Every Blogger

Boarding the Navy SH-60 Seahawk Helicopter

USS Green Bay Leadership with Jennifer Van Grove (www.Mashable.com)

Adam Brown (www.Coca-ColaConversations.com)

Gina Hughes (www.TechieDiva.com, GadgetSpin.com) with Command Master Chief Cecilio Macias

Deborah Keyek-Franssen (Colorado.edu)

Chaplain & Jen Leo (www.JenLeoLive.com, latimes.com)

Jake McKee (www.antseyeview.com, www.communityguy.com) listens to briefing

Ponzi Pirillo (www.GadgetSpin.com)

Jennifer Van Grove (www.Mashable.com, www.JenniferVanGrove.com)

Greeting by Commander Randy Zamora, Executive Officer

Onboard Virtual Shooting Range Simulator

Gina Hughes with High Caliber Weapon

Navigation Monitor

Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) Hovercraft Approaching for Boarding

Landing Craft Air Cushion Hovercraft Holding Pen

Womens’ Berthing Area

Adam Brown in Men’s Berth

Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) Tour

Bow view of USS Green Bay (Note Green Bay logos)

Aerial View of USS Green Bay flightdeck

Aerial View of Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, CA

Upon return to shore, Gina Hughes wrote me via Facebook, “Best experience ever! Just got off a Seahawk , being briefed by Admiral Curtis talking about their mission and robotics.”

Jen Leo wrote, “Dennis – it was a lovely day out! Very different from the Nimitz experience. I really felt the emphasis of the Navy as a family and how they try to be connected to and provide for the entire family – not just the sailor was communicated and appreciated. Obviously this was a much smaller ship. I think we were only the 3rd DV group to go be flown out there. It was sparkling clean, we were toured by the XO and the Master Chief the entire day. And Jan [Lt. Jan Shultis, USN] was amazing.  Extremely well spoken, passionate and knew her stuff. She was truly excited about us. Thank you for this. It was a nice group too.”

Ponzi Pirillo recounted her day, “Hi Dennis, I had a wonderful time! Jan and EVERYONE was so caring and attentive.The whole group on the USS Greenbay were amazing! It was an experience I feel really fortunate to be able to say I’ve had and I’m looking forward to writing about it.   Jan [Lt. Jan Shultis, USN] was simply amazing as was everyone literally from the top Admiral to the youngest seaman, I’m totally impressed with how things were handled.  Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to be able to join in The Leaders to Sea program.  I feel honored be able to help shed some light on the amazing efforts of our Navy.”

USS Green Bay

Commander Joseph R. Olson, Commanding Officer

Commander Randy Zamora, Executive Officer

CMDCM (SW) Cecilio I. Macias, Command Master Chief

The USS Green Bay (LPD 20)

Amphibious Transport Dock – LPD

Amphibious transport dock ships are warships that embark, transport, and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.

The ships are used to transport, and land Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked air cushion or conventional landing craft or amphibious vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft in amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions.

LPD 20 USS Green Bay is the fourth of the San Antonio Class of amphibious transport dock ships.

Namesake – The city of approximately 100,000 residents was founded in 1634 by French explorer, Jean Nicolet.  The oldest community in Wisconsin , Green Bay is well known for its commitment to team efforts, and particularly for its support of its football teams. As Packers’ Coach Vince Lombardi put it, “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.”

When the former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig announced the name of LPD 20, he noted, “Green Bay may be modest in size, but it is enormous in spirit. The city is well known for its commitment to team efforts and the LPD 20 will be home to another team – the Navy-Marine Corps team- that is no stranger to the hard work and sacrifice necessary to be the best in the world.” This will be the second ship named Green Bay. The first, a patrol gunboat, was in service during the 1970s.

The USS Green Bay transports and lands Marines, their equipment and supplies,by embarked air-cushion (Landing Craft Air-Cushion Vehicle – LCAC) or conventional landing craft or Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft. USS Green Bay will support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions throughout the first half of the 21st Century.

Ship Characteristics:

Length 684 feet (208.5 meters)

Beam 105 feet (31.9 meters)

Displacement Approximately 24,900 tons full load

Speed In excess of 22 knots (24.2 mph)

Aircraft Four CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters or two MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft may be launched or recovered simultaneously. The ship’s hangar can store 1-2 aircraft.

Armament Two 30 mm Close-in-Guns, for surface threat defense; two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers for air defense

Landing Craft Two LCACs (air cushion) or one LCU (conventional)

EFVs 14 Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles

Power plant Four Colt-Pielstick diesel engines, two shafts, 40,000 Hp

Crew 360 (28 officers, 332 enlisted), three Marines

Troops 699 (66 officers, 633 enlisted); surge to 800 total.

For more information on Bloggers’ Embarks contactDennisHall@gmail.com, AvereGroup.WordPress.com

The word “Contact” is part of my e-mail address.  Anchors Aweigh!  Dennis

With KVIE (PBS affiliate – Sacramento), I am producing a one-hour documentary with working title of Social Media & Networking. I am currently raising $120,000 from at least four sponsors.   Production begins as soon as I secure the $120,000 of sponsorship underwriting.

Sponsorship

In being a sponsor, each company will enjoy greater brand awareness and brand image and earn respect of the audience.

The program offers your company one of four 15-second sponsorship spots for $30,000.

For each program broadcast, each spot will be broadcast twice during the program, once at the beginning and again at the end of the program.  This format provides for twice the number of seconds of the sponsorship spot of exposure per program, e.g. 15 seconds times two equaling a total of 30 seconds per broadcast.

A sponsor buys a spot directly from KVIE via an agreement.  KVIE will create the 15-second spot at no additional charge to the sponsor.

Social Media & Networking

The focus of Social Media & Networking is global bandwidth proliferation to support global social media, and including interviews of acclaimed social media experts.  The experts include:

Charlene Li, prominent blogger (AltimeterGroup.com) and co-author of the book Groundswell,

Robert Scoble (Scobleizer.com), renowned blogger and author,

Jennifer Jones (MarketingVoices.com), podcaster and consultant, and

Andy Sernovitz, author of Word of Mouth Marketing and blogger (GasPedal.com).

KVIE, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) affiliate in Sacramento, will serve as presenting station to the national chain of over 380 affiliate stations.  I will be the producer.  Further, KVIE will contract with a company to do all on-location filming, and post-production.  Broadcasted during 2010 by affiliate stations nationwide in high-definition, the viewership is estimated to be about 20 million people.

The documentary addresses global status of bandwidth to support social media and the investment underway to proliferate bandwidth expansion over the next five years.  It takes a balanced look at contemporary methods of social media and networking in regards to devices, software, and connectivity, and the future, e.g. use of the new technological process known as cloud computing, and expanding global bandwidth.  The scope weighs the benefits and risks through using the host’s commentary, the host’s voice-over narrative, the host’s interaction with experts’ interviews, examples of mainstream usage, including by Middle East citizens, for example as citizen journalists to expose violent, oppressive conditions in reaction to protests, and by NASA Space Shuttle and International Space Station astronauts orbiting earth in space to followers below, and absorbing, dynamic graphics including video, photography, and music.

Very early into the production following introduction to the subject of the documentary, there may be a short whimsical recap lasting a minute or two of the former, centuries old methods of social media and networking to provide a nostalgic look back at former, only-available methods of social media and networking, yet still used today in addition to the new disruptive technologies to provide a contrast to contemporary times.

Social media and networking technologies driven by texting, blogs, podcasts, digital photography, music, and video, and social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linked-in, and Flickr revolutionized communication and expression, but are also a controversial disruptive phenomenon.  They revolutionized interpersonal communication, artistic expression, citizen journalism, opinion posting, e-commerce, voting, and consumer sovereignty, leading to personal, organizational, and retail relationship building.  However, as with most things beneficial, there is flip side controversy.  Exposed as risks for users, among other issues, are lawsuits and litigation, protection of organizational computer networks, national security, personal privacy, cyber stalking, identity theft, traffic collisions due to texting distraction, and workplace productivity.

Complementing studio and in-office settings for interviews, this documentary incorporates on-location, intriguing outdoor, and lobby settings for interviews in Silicon Valley, and Sacramento and Davis, for example at the Capitol, CSUS, City College, and UC Davis.  Locations in Silicon Valley could include the following: backdrops and lobbies of headquarters offices for Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Google, Apple, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, and Sacramento for intriguing, fascinating content illuminating the global impact of social media and social networking.  At these settings, the host conducts walking and talking interviews of experts such as bloggers, podcasters, videographers, attorney, and government officials holding or using Personal Data Appliances, e.g. iPhone or Blackberry, to accent the ability to be internet connected continuously.

Supporting the authoritative interviews with the experts and mainstream users would be dynamic graphics, video, photography, and music.  These graphics and photography would illustrate the creation of social media, e.g. videos using phones and cameras, software editing, uploading for the viral reach, dynamics of texting and viral propagation.  Personal Data Appliances would be shown to give a broad perspective of the offerings for users staying connected and contributing to and/or responding to the conversations via feedback or comments.  Music would accent the tone of the scenes.

Content includes interviews of experts and dynamic, absorbing graphics to illustrate the points and processes.

On September 4th, I met with podcaster Jennifer Jones, founder of MarketingVoices.com based near Silicon Valley in Woodside, California to discuss the documentary and Navy social media.  She interviewed me and the podcast is posted at MarketingVoices.com.  My next visit was with Ken Kaplan with Intel’s Global Communications Group – Broadcast and New Media in Santa Clara, CA to discuss both the documentary and Intel’s future participation in embarks with the military and other venues, e.g. Lawrence Livermore Labs, etc.  I then met with Cromwell Schubarth, Multimedia/Research Editor for the Silicon Valley Business Journal.  He referred me to editor Mary Duan.  She and I discussed the project via e-mail, and will meet soon at her office to discuss potential for an article.

My recent documentary titled America’s Team, Being a US Air Force Thunderbird is currently broadcasting from Public Broadcasting Affiliates (PBS.org) throughout the nation.  Over 50 million viewers nationwide cumulatively have seen this documentary due to over 300 affiliate stations broadcasting it several times each on average.   I produced America’s Team with John Campbell and Paul Frederick.  Honeywell Corporation was our sole sponsor.  America’s Team addresses the mystique and realm of US Air Force personnel serving in the coveted US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron know as the Thunderbirds.  The documentary does focus some illumination on Major Nicole Malachowski, the first-ever woman Thunderbirds pilot, flying the F-16C in the Right Wing position.  The DVD edition is sold through Amazon.com.

Please call me, Dennis Hall, at 916-541-1992 or e-mail: ContactDennisHall@gmail.com.  The word “Contact” is part of my e-mail address.

Bloggers’ Embark Start-Up

It’s not just a blog; it’s an adventure.

Accompanying Guy Kawasaki and me for this adventure … a balance of ladies and gentlemen … Beth Blecherman, Bill Reichert, Charlene Li, Robert Scoble, Jennifer Lawson a.k.a. the bloggess, Andrew Nystrom, Pamela Slim, Andy Sernovitz, Jennifer Leo, Jefferson Wagner a.k.a. Zuma Jay, Jennifer Van Grove, Jennifer Jones, and Carroll LeFon a.k.a. Lex.  Chris Pirillo followed us out during June 1-2, 2009, again to the USS Chester W. Nimitz (CVN-68).

Collectively, as a population of Americans, our US Navy ships are floating, underway homes … extensions of our homeland … for our loved ones both Navy and Marines.  You do not need to have a child, a parent, a grandparent, relative, or friend directly serving aboard a Navy ship or a land-based installation to come to compassionately either love or really, really like our Navy community serving to protect all of us.  A few hours aboard ship underway is more than enough time to draw the conclusion that Navy people are good people … real salt of the earth folks.

If there is a special person in your life who is serving, please know that our Navy is providing well for them, and they are in friendly, supportive company.

Sailors on flightdeck of USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

The past two decades have seen incredible technological, cultural, and occupational progress in our seven US military services.  For example, women and men now serve side by side aboard Navy ships underway, including as pilots and other members of flightcrews.  Among the current frontiers, in my opinion, is social media.  The Navy commonly now uses Twitter tweets, and blog postings for individual ship’s and leaders are underway and soon will be mainstream.  Yet, awareness of this progress could be advanced via blogging and podcasting illumination.  Step in Guy Kawasaki – prolific blogger, American, author, and venture capitalist.

Guy Kawasaki with EA-6B Prowler

For the past year, I have learned about blogging in a focused fashion via my wife’s blog PassionateForLife.com/magazine.  She taught me much, but it was the genesis of this Bloggers’ Embark that kicked me into gear to launch my own blogging career.  I plan to expand into podcasting as well, plus other mediums, e.g. YouTube, etc.  As Steve Forbes says in his Forbes magazine postings, ‘With all thy getting, get understanding’.  Blogging certainly does allow one to gain new perspectives in unique way.

As part of my Avere Group volunteerism for community outreach, I nominate to all seven military services business and government leaders, civic leaders, artists, and authors to hopefully be selected for invitation to come out and see the military training first-hand.  Over the years, I have developed a strong relationship particularly with the Navy, including the Navy Blue Angels.

Being acquainted with Guy Kawasaki and Bill Reichert through their being Managing Directors of Garage Technology Ventures and hosting as such their start-up strategies workshops in Silicon Valley, and Launch – Silicon Valley, I nominated both for Navy opportunities to go to sea.  During September 2008, Guy found the bandwidth allowing him to partake in his flying by Navy C-2 Greyhound transport aircraft over the Pacific Ocean to and from the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-72) aircraft carrier.  He returned to shore even more totally gung-ho about our Navy.  From his start-up Alltop, he e-mailed me ‘an idea.’

Guy ventured to dream of how might the world be changed if a whole C-2 Greyhound full of bloggers and/or podcasters experienced first-hand life at sea aboard a Navy aircraft carrier steaming underway conducting naval air operations.  Guy knows his own enthusiastic, supportive reaction having embarked prior during 2008 to the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) aircraft carrier.  Yet, what dynamics would launch and fly from each of the fertile, creative, psychedelic minds of an eclectic group of bloggers and podcasters welded with the synergy of a bonding adventure.  What if … what if … they departed their comfort zones along with all they know up to that point about themselves and other aspects and put themselves out there to experience one of the most quintessentially extraordinary environments available to only a relative handful of the seven billion people on earth.  What would happen to these bloggers?  How would they react?  What would be their transformations?  How would their readers react to their blogging and podcasting?

This realm of life at sea includes transportation to and from the carrier via C-2 Greyhound Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD), military occupational specialties (MOS), leadership, living quarters, mess decks and ward rooms, food prepared and served, internet connectivity, religious worship, medical clinics, postmortem memorials, and of course, the pilots’ ready rooms and flightdeck operations.

Guy and I met together during October 2008 along with Bill Reichert to discuss the idea further and compile a list of bloggers and podcasters.  I then wrote and submitted the Bloggers’ Embark proposal to Lieutenant Commander Charlie Brown, Public Affairs Officer, Commander – Naval Air Forces – Pacific (COMNAVAIRPAC) based at Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado Island near San Diego, California.

Charlie Brown called me personally and enthusiastically approving the idea.  Guy set about to coordinate with me the Bloggers’ Embark with the plan being that Guy himself would be at the helm, and I originally was to be a shore battery of publicity about the embark.  As luck would have it, I actually got to participate, and hence launched my fledgling blogging career.

Lt. Commander Charlie Brown and Navy Petty Officer Steve Harbour established our embarkation for May 29-30, 2009 to the USS Chester W. Nimitz (CVN-68) aircraft carrier.  Socially, therefore, he’s in a community of bloggers and podcasters representing diverse portfolios of genres … entrepreneurship … tech … parenting … romance … fashion … travel … communications.  It did not take long for Guy to line up women bloggers and podcasters, and only a bit longer to find some courageous men.  I had the pleasure of introducing myself via e-mail to each one and assisting them with getting their paperwork into the Navy, plus answering questions, and coordinating with the Navy bakery to create a birthday cake aboard the Nimitz, as three of the ladies in our group would celebrate their birthdays during the embark.

First up for the unforgettable, highly coveted, Distinguished Visitor adventure was a greeting inside the immaculate Navy headquarters of the Commander, Naval Air Forces – Pacific housed within a beautifully restored building that was once an operating lighthouse.  Marine Corps Colonel Jim Jamison greeted the group, and then arrived Lt. Commander Charlie Brown.  He absorbed unwavering attention while he projected slides punctuating key bullets of information.  He spoke and referenced the slides on Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet, humanitarian relief, Carrier Strike Group Eleven, their mission, assets, current operations, and readiness, and Navy social media.  He introduced specifically the group’s destination: the USS Chester W. Nimitz (CVN-68) nuclear aircraft carrier.

All distinguished visitors donned helmets with encapsulating hearing protection and reality-checking flotation-water survival vests.  Outside of base operations on the tarmac, the plump, friendly C-2 Greyhound twin-turboprop transport taxied up to inhale its passengers and their luggage.  The C-2 Greyhound CODs (Carrier Onboard Delivery), with their cadre of flightcrews get plenty of flighttime supporting roundtrip ship-to-shore transits of mail, parts, food, personnel, and distinguished visitors.  Their flightsuits bear, among other patches, one for the US Postal Service, and a patch with the same logo design as the Greyhound bus line.  Navy personnel escorted us out of base operations out into the cavernous passenger hold.  They snugly strapped us into firm-fitting seats packed ‘like sardines’ facing the open tail ramp of their ‘COD’ for one last glimpse of tarmac terra firma.  Up came the ramp-hatch, and so the embark was deemed a “Go!”

Andrew, Beth, Guy, Charlene, CO, Jenny, Jen, Jenn & Bill

Dennis, Robert, Pam, CO, Jennifer, Andy, Jefferson a.ka. Zuma

About a half hour after their noisy, vibrating take-off, while each in the group dozed, meditated, or prayed, the flight crew gently banked the C-2 Greyhound to line up with the football gridiron-size landing’s portion of the flight deck of the USS Nimitz with foaming wake wash offering welcome.  At about the same time, there was the barely audible sound accompanying the continuous, yet hardly noticeable descent.  The pilot had activated the arresting tailhook lowering it into the slipstream, and lowered the wings’ flaps to provide more slow-speed lift and controllability for the COD as the seconds ticked down to arrival.  Down and locked, the tailhook hung braced for its violent collision with the innocent arresting cable slung as a thick strand baking under the tropical sun, perpendicular across the stern’s flight deck.  Then … virtually without announcement for time to brace … ‘Clunk!!!’  Simultaneously the pilot cycled the engines’ throttles up to full thrusting power for life preserving lift should the pilot have missed the arresting cable and needed to bolt again for the sky.  Then rapid braking as the tailhook grabbed the thick-cross-deck cable and brought the aircraft to an abrupt, but controlled stop as the cable unwound from its spindles just below deck.  I felt like my whole body inflated four-fold! Like a pufferfish.

Navy C-2A Greyhound over Aircraft Carrier

The ‘trap’ overwhelmed everyone’s psyche by a dosage of adrenaline, yet euphoria, but no time to ruminate on what just happened.  The rear ramp hatch lowered to flood in visual overload of an environ of the aircraft carrier unbeknownst to the passengers except maybe through watching the movie “Top Gun” or the television shows “NCIS” or “JAG”.  Over the course of the next 24 hours, life was far different for all from that which they left back at their offices,  communities, and homes.

Following an introduction to great Navy chow in a buffet mess deck.  With everyone squared away, the order of the day was to spend about four hours of continual tours throughout the ship involving climbing and descending stairwells and ladders and walking, walking, walking.  The only elevators to be found were huge, as in as big as a contemporary house, and meant for carrying major loads of freight or aircraft, for example an entire EA-6B Prowler aircraft from the maintenance shop up to the flight deck for parking or launch.  All the way in route to the next stop, the distinguished visitors saw Navy personnel in the passageways or adjoining rooms and offices.  The personnel were very polite and exuded kindness and warmth.  What resonates with me is the true passion exuded by ALL of the members of the crew.  It was very evident to me that the men and women truly love what they do, and give their all towards their individual and collective missions.  It was truly an honor for me to experience a taste of their everyday reality.

The ship normally operates as the centerpiece of a Carrier Strike Group consisting of four to six other ships.  Aircraft attached include the following: the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-6B Prowler, E-2C Hawkeye, and MH-60S Seahawk.  The Air Wing can destroy enemy aircraft, ships, submarines, and land targets, or lay mines hundreds of miles from the ship.  The aircraft can conduct strikes, support land battles, protect the Strike Group or other friendly shipping, and implement a sea or air blockade.  The Air Wing provides a visible presence to demonstrate American power and resolve in a crisis.

We all saw the key centers on the ship during normal shore business hours, but also during night operations when passageways, rooms, etceteras are illuminated with surreal red, blue and yellow lights.  Focus of the tours included the following: chapels; bridge and its Air Boss station; flight deck; Vultures’ Row view of the flightdeck operations; fantail or stern; the ship’s propulsion center with its two nuclear reactors and propeller drive shafts; combat center; hangar bay; ordnance depot; catapult operations; medical center; dental clinic; food galleys; bakery; dining mess decks; shopping mall; post office; internet-access center; ward room; surface-to-air missile systems; the Phalanx close-in 20 mm gun for cruise missile defense; anchor room; flight briefing rooms; the sleeping quarters; recreational centers; gyms; and library.  The ship draws every source of electrical energy from the nuclear reactors used primarily for clean propulsion power lasting decades without refueling.  An added bonus for this embark was inclusion of a tour of the ship’s detention center, or brig.

The Navy escorts provided protective vests, helmets, and ear protection to the distinguished visitors to allow them to get up close to the stern’s landing zone of the flight deck as F-18 Hornet jets and turboprop C-2 Greyhound, and E-2C Hawkeye aircraft quickly come down the glide path and ‘trap’ the arresting cable right in front of them, literally only a dozen yards from where they are standing.  Everyone glanced skyward and saw  two-ship formations of F-18 Super Hornets making low passes over the aircraft carrier and then pitching out to prepare for their landings, or a solo EA-6B, for example, coming over to prepare for its landing.

Following dinner, everyone including the Navy escorts visited Vultures’ Row, an open-air passageway near the bridge that overlooks the flight deck.  A night operation unfolded with aircraft landing and sparks flying as the tailhooks scrape the deck and frictionally heat the cables during the ‘trap’.  Then after some calm, the bow area came alive with jets moving into position to attach to the catapults for bow launches up into the night sky.  The jets and turboprop aircraft move through paces of preflight check with strobe lights pulsing while flight crews cycle the control surfaces.  F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets might have launched first, followed then by an EA-6B Prowler for electronic countermeasures jamming support, and then an E-2 twin-turbo prop Airborne Warning and Control aircraft to fly high over the Carrier Air Group to provide a radar umbrella of proactive operating area surveillance.

The second morning involved packing for the trip home, breakfast and a few more tours and briefings.  A popular stop is the bridge, and each distinguished visitor took a turn sitting in the Commanding Officer’s chair embroidered Old Salt.  They watched the crew steer the ship and navigate its way toward the global position where they all would later that day be catapulted off the bow aboard the C-2 COD.

Following lunch, it was time to don the helmets and vests again before boarding the awaiting C-2 to take them home.  Upon boarding and strapping in, the C-2 rolled on the flightdeck to one of the four catapults for the “cat shot”.  The catapult uses a steam-powered piston device with attachment points for the C-2 that fires down a track and releases the aircraft at the end.  With the aid of relative wind blowing down this runway as the ship cruises at around 22 knots, the COD achieves aerodynamic flight sustained by the C-2’s twin turboprop engines.  The distinguished visitors watched C-2s get catapulted during their visits to the flight deck, the bridge, and Vulture’s Row, so by the time it was their turn for a “cat shot” they instinctively knew the sequence and timing of the endeavor.  The pilot advanced throttles to full power, and then suddenly a major jolt and everyone was shoved into their restraint harnesses and then a loud “snap!” is heard as the C-2 is set free to fly under her own power.  Everyone catches their breath and exclaims excitedly ‘Ohhh yeahhhh!’ once the g-loading releases and you’re climbing away!

Upon return to NAS North Island, Lieutenant Commander Charlie Brown greeted us, and then presented us our Nimitz Tailhooker certificate.  It reads as such …

NIMITZ TAILHOOKER

Know all ye by these presents that

Dennis Hall

a fearless and intrepid birdman has exhibited faultless courage, exceptional bravery, NAFOD (No Apparent Fear of Death) and intestinal fortitude in examining the entire spectrum of air approach parameters while successfully completing an arrested landing aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) with less than mortal injury.  For this feat they shall be recognized as a

“NIMITZ TAILHOOKER”

and accorded the honor and all consideration and privileges due such title.

M.C. Manazir

Captain, US Navy

Commanding Officer

29 May 2009

As we had arrived back to shore during the middle of the afternoon of Saturday, May 30, many of us had to get a move on to the San Diego airport.  This was one of those moments we experience rarely in life.  We had all come together less than 45 hours earlier, had welded our bonds through an incredible, extraordinary endeavor, but now had to sever to return to distant points on the globe.  For me, it was emotionally wrenching.  I sat in my rental car and waved to each batch of departing carloads.  Ultimately I was just sitting there alone for a few moments, and the silence and solitary presence were suddenly awkward.  What a phenomenal group of people including everyone we met via and in the Navy.

Quick!

Escape from your office or cube!

Attend Launch: Silicon Valley on June 9th!

Through the Asia Silicon Valley Connection (ASVC.org) beginning during June, 2001 and then through the years, for example with Garage Technology Ventures’ start-up strategies courses, I have made some very strong connections in Silicon Valley.  Through them, I have learned much and applied that knowledge.  My intriguing participation in attending the ASVC meetings and its Gong Shows  spurs me to encourage you to register for Launch: Silicon Valley to build your future.

You will learn so much, and meet so many incredible people including venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, presenters, consultants, and staff.  It’s an incredible opportunity.  Launch for it!  See you there!

Dennis Hall … ContactDennisHall@gmail.com

Blue Chalk Cafe, Palo Alto, CA

Sound the Bell !  To launch the Bloggers’ Embark, I dispatched an All Hands bulletin to the bloggers to rendezvous at Charlene Li’s recommendation of the Blue Chalk Café in Palo Alto, California. On May 13, 2009, Navy Commander Romuel ‘Roy’ Nafarrete, Commanding Officer of the Navy Recruiting District San Francisco greeted Beth Blecherman, Charlene Li, Jennifer Jones, Robert Scoble and me for the icebreaker. Other bloggers wished to attend, but either had schedule conflicts or live hundreds or thousands of miles from the Blue Chalk Café.

Navy Commander Nafarrete provided animated descriptions of what to expect during the embarkation.  He further dished background information on some of the key contacts whom the bloggers will meet and get acquainted with once aboard the USS Nimitz.  He wants so much to be with this eclectic group.

The evening was wonderful!

Dennis Hall, Bloggers’ Embark

Bloggers Dennis Hall, Beth Blecherman, Jennifer Jones, Robert Scoble, Charlene Li.

Jennifer Jones and Commander Nafarrete, USN

Charlene Li & Robert Scoble

Charlene Li signing Groundswell