Posted by Jack (thanks to Toby for story)
Oct. 20, 2011: Airman Andrew Grooters from Grand Rapids, Mich., stands by as Gunner’s Mate Seaman Apprentice Anthony Byers from Oroville, Calif., fires a shot line from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) during a replenishment at sea. George Washington is conducting a patrol in the western Pacific region.
Source: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alysia Hernandez
You folks have no idea what an exhausting, extremely dangerous, complicated, (made to look easy) evolution those two young men are about to unleash on the crews of both ships. To be 21 again, good times.
Taking fuel on board from the dock was enough of a challenge for me! I was down in the boiler room trying to spin open the double bottom valves as the fuel oil was pumped on board and I got a Chief yelling…no screaming…. at me from the main deck over the intercom and ready to blow a gasket cause we were not doing it right…. yeah, I remember those good ol days! lol