As Wilson made his way around the “yellow gear” tractors and engine storage cans stashed at the far end of the hangar bay, he took care not to smudge his spotless trousers or scuff his shoes on a grimy tie-down chain. A carrier visit was special, and the local Navy League was pulling out all the stops with a big reception at the Frenchman’s Reef resort. Ship and air wing senior officers were invited, and as a squadron CO, “Flip” Wilson knew better than to miss this “command performance” with the heavies and local mucky-mucks. He was just glad he would be able to join the rest of his squadron, now partying on the other side of the island in shorts and t-shirts, later in the evening.
“Dude.”
Wilson turned to face his fellow squadron CO and longtime friend, Commander William “Billy” Martin of the VFA-62 Hunters. He had snuck up on Wilson from the starboard side.
“Hey, Billy. Figured a liberty hound like you would already be ashore.”
“You confuse me with the junior officer of my youth. It’s gotten to the point where I actually like going through my in-box paperwork. Heaven help me!”
“Better not let the JOs get wind of this,” Wilson answered.
“They are the ones who save it till the night before we pull in! They know I can’t ignore a full in-box.”
The officers entered a passageway on the port side that led to the fantail. They passed a long line of sailors in civilian clothes who were braced against the bulkhead waiting for the ferry to take them ashore.
Wilson recognized some of his young petty officers and said, “Have fun, guys.”
As he strode past, the sailors smiled. “You too, Skipper.”
Wilson and Billy walked onto the fantail and assessed the situation. The admiral’s barge was standing off the “camel,” a floating dock lashed to the ship’s accom ladder platform. A ferry was alongside the camel in the process of boarding hundreds of sailors dressed in civilian clothes.
Several Carrier Air Wing SIX skippers and XOs milled about the fantail. They awaited word from the harried Officer of the Deck they could board the admiral’s barge for an evening of forced fun. Wilson’s Executive Officer, Commander Jennifer Schofield was among them.
“Hey, Annie, what’s the word?” greeted Billy.
Jen Schofield’s fiery red hair had earned her the call sign, but her personality was easygoing and reserved. She had come up with the F-14 community, transitioned to the FA-18 after one Tomcat tour, and was a former CAG LSO. She had over 800 carrier landings in her logbook, along with a fair amount of combat green ink. On her uniform she wore the Air Medal with a numeral 5 and two Navy Commendation Medals with combat V. Where men with this record would be referred to as Salty Dogs, the refined and capable Commander Schofield exuded professionalism and class.
“Hey, guys! I think they’re going to board us as soon as they get this ferry off. Saw lots of smiling Firebird and Hunter sailors.”
“Good,” Wilson said. “And our JOs?”
“Oh, yeah! Trench is leading the charge to a place called Breezy Cay. Been there before?” Annie asked.
“Yeah, but it’s been a few years,” Wilson replied. “Nice place on the other side of the island.”
“We have an admin at the resort next door,” Billy said. “Should be plenty of air wing guys.” He motioned to the shore and added, “But, by the looks of it, that place is nice.”
The officers assessed the resort perched a mile away on the rocky shore of Frenchman’s Reef. The barge would soon transport them there for the reception.
Annie then said in jest, “Do you see Mark? He said he’d be waving to us.” Annie’s husband Mark Schofield was in St. Thomas waiting for the ship — and his wife.
“Nope, can’t say I do,” Billy said, squinting as if he could. He squinted a little harder and smiled. “But I do see a fruity drink with my name on it.”
“With an umbrella in it?” Wilson snickered.
“Maybe. Just don’t tell the JOs. I want them to visualize me only with a beer bottle or whisky on the rocks. But when I get among the one percent, I can let my hair down with a rum runner, or even a glass of white wine.”
Annie shook her head and smiled, but Wilson continued to needle his friend. “Is that your foo-foo juice I smell?
They both looked at Annie. “Don’t look at me!” She raised her hands in protest. “That’s not my fragrance!”
The ferry pushed off to deliver a full load of sailors to the fleet landing at Charlotte Amalie. As soon as it pulled away, the barge, a motorized 50-foot covered launch for the admiral’s official and personal use, came in behind it with bosun’s mates positioned on the bow and stern to throw mooring lines to waiting sailors on the camel. Soon the officers would board in the traditional manner of seafaring professionals around the world: junior officers first; then seniors; with the admiral, the last man aboard… and the first man off when they got ashore.
The Officer of the Deck caught their attention. “Lady and gentlemen, you may board,” he said and motioned them toward the ladder.
The officers made their way to the ladder in some semblance of seniority. As they flashed their ID cards, they informed the Petty Officer of the Watch, “I have permission to go ashore.” Each one of them carefully descended the ladder to avoid smudging their uniforms, but everyone knew their whites would be trashed by the end of the night, if not on this boat ride.
Once on the gently rolling platform, Wilson and Annie queued up to the barge which was bobbing alongside. In a chivalrous move contrary to naval protocol, Wilson boarded first and took Annie’s hand. In her heels, she expertly timed the roll and boarded. They joined other air wing officers in the forward cabin, all chatting amicably and excited at the prospect of going ashore. They then heard the 1MC blare from the ship towering above them.
Ding, ding, ding, ding. “Carrier Air Wing SIX, departing.”
Ding, ding, ding, ding. “Coral Sea, departing.”
Ding, ding, ding, ding. “Staff, departing.”
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. “Carrier Strike Group Eighteen, departing”… ding.
Minutes later, the Air Wing Commander, the carrier Captain, the Chief of Staff, and the admiral — resplendent in their summer whites and each with multiple rows of ribbons — emerged from the ship and onto the camel, boarding in proper order. The captain, an amiable helicopter pilot by trade, poked his head inside the forward cabin. “Hi, guys!” he said in his booming voice, quickly scanning the group in an informal muster. Without waiting for a response, he left to join the admiral in the aft cabin. as the seated officers smiled and waved back.
Captain Rick Sanders was a celebrity aboard Coral Maru, a nickname the crew used for the carrier. Each day he walked the ship from stem to stern, shook the hands of his enlisted sailors, asked them about their jobs or how things were going at home, and took time to pass the word over the 1MC on the upcoming schedule and to recognize top performers. Airman Schmuckatelli in the ship’s laundry, you are the winner of today’s Coral Sea “What-a-Guy of the Day” award. Female sailors appropriately earned the “What-a-Gal” award. Division officers and chiefs sometimes worried that the Captain handed out so many 96-hour liberty chits there would be nobody left to stand duty. Sanders didn’t care, and he smiled and pressed the flesh with the skill of any seasoned politician — which he was.