Hats Off to the US Navy: The Crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln
Posted on August 10, 2007
Filed Under Personal |
Next to watching flight ops, the second best experience was talking with the crew as we toured throughout this immense and amazing ship. They all work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. When the carrier is deployed, they are gone for at least six months, often longer. The devotion, skills, and character of this diverse group of well-trained, young American men and women heartened me. They are bright and they are dedicated to their tasks. The average age on board was around 22. (I temporarily raised that average upon my arrival.)
Let me start with the hangar and the professionals who are constantly at work there. 
The hangar is huge. It is primarily where aircraft maintenance and repairs are carried out. Four mammoth “portholes” in the side of the ship accommodate elevators which, in a matter of seconds, drop a portion of the flight deck down to the hangar floor. Aircraft are moved from the hangar to this lowered platform and then elevated back up, ready for flying duty. Wherever we went during our tours, it seemed we almost always traversed through this mammoth cavern. Every time we did, it was a constant buzz of activity as mostly teenage professionals wearing purple, green, white, yellow, brown, red and blue jerseys were fueling, repairing, inspecting, or moving $20-50 million dollar aircraft in quarters that were sometimes so tight we had to bob and weave to get through them.
In the bow of the ship, we met a young man who excitedly briefed us on the insights 
into “weighing anchor”. What seemed trivial to me is no longer. The Lincoln’s two anchors weigh 30 tons each and are attached to 1,082 feet of chain, each link weighing in at 385 pounds. The dead weight of one chain and its anchor is over 180 tons. Lowering, raising and controlling such a mass of steel is no simple task. 
Our young sailor was eager to tell us the perils of what would happen if he didn’t perform his task well. He was equally proud to tell us that those things would never happen because he wouldn’t let them.
On the stern, another dedicated seaman was keeping constant watch for threats from the vast sea around us. 
As he scanned the horizon with his binoculars, we were briefed by a gunner whose job was to maintain and man one of the several Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems (CIWS-which he pronounced “sea-whiz”). This is a sophisticated 6-barrel gatling gun that fires 20mm ammunition in excess of 50 rounds per second. Looking at it reminded me of R2-D2 in Star Wars. It consists of separate search and tracking radars and a complex system of computers that automatically perform the entire operation of searching, detection, tracking, threat evaluation, and firing the guns to destroy the target. 
Our proud seaman told us he could pulverize a golf ball traveling at mach 2.
As we stood on the fantail, I looked down at the turbulent water boiling out from the carrier’s four props. 
Each prop is 21 feet high and weighs eleven tons and they can propel this combination of airport, warship and small city through the water at 30 knots or more. As the prop wash was boiling beneath me, I was struck by the enormous power required to drive them. That power is supplied by two nuclear plants buried deep inside her hull. I then wondered about all of the crew down below carrying out their duties with the same dedication and efficiency we had witnessed above. We weren’t allowed to get into those areas, but I had the opportunity to talk with the officer who was responsible for ensuring that the nuclear power plant operated safely and successfully. He has been serving our country for over twenty years and was about to miss his daughter’s birthday. By the way, on his left is Lt. Chris Morgan who is a Navy nurse recruiter in Denver, Colorado. 
He is the one who is responsible for arranging this embarkment. I will forever be grateful to him for making this happen and his gracious hosting of us all.
Well, in between the bow and the fantail were a host of other tours and more dedicated sailors. They were air traffic controllers, ship navigators, or F-18 pilots. They manned the conflagration stations, constantly watching the hangar for problems. They were firemen, cooks, cops, chaplains and engine mechanics. I talked to a young woman who was steering the Lincoln. She was barely past teen age, hands on the wheel, controlling a multi-billion dollar US Navy aircraft carrier in the open seas.
Impressive? Yes.
Let me finish all of this and mention briefly the challenge these men and women face in serving us. They are dedicated and hard working, but the long deployments bring a number of issues into their lives. They have wives and husbands and children back home. They have girlfriends, boyfriends, fiancés. They are missing birthdays, anniversaries, and, in one case, the birth of twins. They have loved ones who are sick and some who are dying. They are young and homesick. They have sons and daughters who are about to start college without them. They are missing their kid’s baseball games and soccer matches and first piano recitals. Relationships get strained and frayed. Moms at home carry a huge burden without dad. They get “Dear John” letters.
I don’t suppose the vast majority of Americans fully understand the price that our military members pay to protect and defend our country. Sure, it looks glamorous sometimes—the burst of flames from the afterburner of a Super Hornet blasting off of the ship’s deck fills one with excitement and a sense of adventure. But behind those pictures are hours and hours of hard work and separation from home, heartaches and tears hidden under a blanket in a lonely berth stacked alongside a hundred others. But that is part of their call and duty. And they endure it with fearsome pride and determination—a pride and determination that should be matched by the citizens they serve. And for the Christian citizen, there should be a sustained and consistent lifting of them in prayer.
To the men and women of the USS Abraham Lincoln, my hat is off to you. 
Thank you.
You are in my prayers.
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31 Responses to “Hats Off to the US Navy: The Crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln”
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Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Been there, done that, and respectfully agree with every sentiment you describe for our wonderful military. Thank you for being our diplomatic representative in this endeavor, I’m fairly certain they were equally impressed with their courteous and complimentary guest!
Hat’s Off to you Del, I’m proud of what I know you did for us on board that vessel.
God Bless You Del,
Sincerely,
Tom S
Having served in and with the Naval Reserve for 5 years and married a man serving in the AF. He later retired after 27 years, I wish every American could read what you wrote. Those who say our children are not worth anything, those who criticize our military - I pray daily for them and their mission. Thank you for your words! They are so true and revealing.
Dear Mr. Tackett,
We read your blogs with great interest. Your description of your experience on the ship reminded me of my son’s comment when He was 4 and I took him to see the Blue Angels fly. He said, “Mom, my heart most broke out!” Doesn’t that sum it up?
We are leading two classes through the Truth Project, one for about 12 adults and one for around 25 youth from 19 to 29 years. They are loving it and so are we! Many thanks for your dedication. Marvae and Don
Great post!! I am prior Navy, and I absolutely love our military. I recently was in Dayton, OH for the 2007 Airshow…it was an amazing day, but also a very sorrowful day. One of our great military pilots crashed and died that day, right before our eyes. My heart still breaks for his family that is left behind. And also, for all those who have gone before us, in serving and protecting our country and us. I will forever love and cherish our military members.
Hello,
I so enjoyed reading this blog on the dedication and service men and women aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. It is true most American’s do not know, nor appreciate all the sacrifices these servicemen/women are doing for our country. All my prayers are with them.
thank you,
Johanne Duguay
San Diego, CA
Thank you, Del.
I pray everyday for our military and their safe return to their family and I, for one, am very grateful for their dedication and pride. May God Bless and keep them in his Glory!
Thank you for your Blog Del about just a few of our serving military
Rod
I am former Navy. Not only former Navy but
worked in the Intelligence Profession. I love
our military and our country, and most of all I
want to thank God on this site for saving my
life on June 8, 1967 while I was serving my
country aboard the USS Liberty AGTR-5.
My experience aboard the Liberty might come close
to equaling your experience aboard the Abraham
Lincoln. You may not print this since I
mentioned the USS Liberty, but just in case you
do I just want to say that I loved “The Truth
Project” and will probably go through it again
just to see what I missed.
I’m a Navy Vetran of 8 years and I appreciate your insight in this last post. It’s been 15 years since I got out of the Navy and I recently had the oppertunity to reconnect with several of my old shipmates. Several of them were married while I was serving with them and now all of them, without exception, are either divorced and single or remarried. It is an exceptionally hard life these young people endure and as you pointed out, they do it with pride, fierce determination, and an astounding level of professionalism. Too often we hear about the hardships of the Army or Marine soldier in war. Make no mistake. Those too are enduring the same, if not more hardships while deployed in a war zone, but the sailor endures this thier entire career in the service, whether we are at war or not. All of our service men and women should definately be lifted in prayer daily.
Dear Dr. Tackett,
My husband and son are both U.S. Naval Academy graduates, my son still serving. You could not have described your adventure in more descriptive words; it felt like I was right there with you!
As you know, the aircraft carriers are the ‘Hiltons’ of the naval vessels. There are so many seamen serving on smaller, more cramped vessels with less than 200 personnel, working even longer hours. The food is not so good and only available at certain times, and on all the ships, the officers have to pay for their meals. I’m not sure about the enlisted.
Of all the things you spoke about, one of the biggest concerns facing our military is the families left at home. The U.S. Military and other Outreach Organizations have this one area, more than any other, that they could help our men and women of the armed forces. This would be the support, counseling, and encouragement of the separated families.
The family members left at home need help, guidance, and encouragement to carry on their lives in support of their deployed loved one. Also, help to lead their lives in a positive and moral way, readying for their soldier to return home.
Oftentimes, as you mentioned, wives are left as single parents, feeling lonely and overwhelmed. When I gave birth at Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii, the ward was filled with mostly young women, all alone, giving birth while their husbands were deployed. There was no one with them.
Likewise, the military personnel need the same encouragement to remain supportive and faithful to their spouse while in a co-ed, close-quarters living environment; to communicate with their family; to have counseling and/or a mentor; and to weather their loneliness.
There are some support measures in place, but not nearly enough and not nearly beneficial enough. Our military would be even more effective if the members and their families were helped in all ways possible to weather these separations. This is a very serious situation leading to infidelity and divorce - broken homes where the children suffer.
What suggestions do you have for this dilemma?
Godspeed to The Truth Project and the United States Military!
Martha
Dr. Tackett,
Your post brought to light an issue with which I’m wrestling, perhaps along with others. From a Biblical worldview, what is the proper, ethical use of a nation’s military? Being a veteran myself, I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the sacrifices of our troops. But I have a difficult time supporting some of our foreign policies and military exploits from a Biblical point of view. Unfortunately, in the prevailing Christian culture, one is not allowed to question our country’s leadership without being accused of not supporting the troops. Biblically, are there situations in which we should NOT support our government’s use of the military?
Dear Mr. Tackett,
I enjoyed reading your comments about the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. I have a soft spot in my heart for aircraft carriers. Last spring I was privileged to send homemade cookies to a young man I have never met while he was deployed on a carrier in the Persian Gulf.
I pray every day for our troops and have a bulletin board in our church with names, addresses and pictures of people in the military whose families are members of our congregation.
Dorothy
Thank you for your acknowledgement of the men and women who serve on the USS Abraham Lincoln. I am proud to be a parent of one of these fine young Americans. There is no doubt that he has sacraficed a number of the things to which you refer. I appreciate that you recognize not just the pilots and other officers, but the others in the support operations. We had the privilege of being guests on the ship and found the crew to be helpful, polite, professional, friendly, tolerant and cheerful.
Please remember all our military personnel in prayer. It does not matter if we agree with our military involvement around the world; the lives of the men and women who serve so that we have the right to our opinions should be honored.
I read your account of your experience aboard the US Abraham Liconln. It is a very intersting account of the detail of what our military men and women are providing for our security. They are a very dedicated group of men and women and we should be so very proud of all of them. Their experience on a ship such as the US Liconln will last a life time, but most of them are missing out on many family affairs that are also life time experiences. I hope there are many letters and pictures and e-mails to help them share in what they have to miss by not being there in person.
May God Bless All of our Military personnel and May God Bless America!
Mr. Tackett, I totally agree with you about our military. My husband served 20 years in the US Navy and I was one of those wives that stayed at home and raised our 5 children while he was away on deployments, which were very frequent. Only the grace of God got us through all of that. Your blogs brought back many good memories of going out to sea on the many ships my husband served on, on what they called Dependant Cruises. Standing on the flight deck experiencing the take offs and landing truly is a most tremendous experience that I will never forget. Thank you for your articles!
My husband served 20 years in the US Navy and I was one of those wives that stayed at home and raised our 5 children while he was away on deployments, which were very frequent. Only the grace of God got us through all those years. Your blogs brought back many good memories of going out to sea on what they called ‘Dependant Cruises’. Standing on the flight deck experiencing the take offs and landing truly is a most tremendous experience that I will never forget. Thank you for your articles!
What a great description of military life! I am ex-Air Force, and my Dad and two of his brothers were Navy, and another was a Lt. Col. in the USAF Reserve…a lot of history going back to WW2. You have done a great service to military and ex-military with your trip to the incredible USS Lincoln, sharing what it is really like–the ups and downs, the tears and loneliness, and the pride in their duty. Well done!
Ken
We, like many retired military, realize the place our US Military are in today and we are honored to be able to take “The Truth Project” to those who are stationed in the Ramstein/Kaiserslautern area in Germany. We were honored to attend the training in Colorado Springs and will move to Germany in January 2008. Please pray with us as we make our home among our military stationed there and proclaim the gospel among them. And with the DVD series also proclaim the truth to a generation deceived and captive. How honored we are to be called to such a task. May we walk in the path God leads us on being servants to all.
Dr. Tackett,
Thanks for the memories. I served aboard the USS Midway as a Naval Flight Officer. This last blog of sailors (and other military members) paying the price of freedom with their families have the tears flowing back into my eyes. I served 24 years in the Navy. It cost me my first marriage and precious years with my children. God is good. He has restored the relationships with my children, my ex-wife is a friend and God has given me my present wife who has helped heal the hurts for both me and my children. My son is serving Iraq at the present and I am trying desperately to be the support for his family while he is gone. The price of freedom is not free. It costs some of us everything. Thanks for bringing this to light.
God bless,
Alfred W. Smith
CDR/USNR-R
Thanks, Dr Tackett, for taking me back to my “childhood” where the Navy gave me a $25M plane at 25 years of age. Your salute was rendered beautifully and is a worthy read. Nothing like landing at midnight on a pitching deck in a rainstorm, mostly snagging that target “three wire” and no bolters.
Did I miss it or did you not meet and celebrate the chaplains and lay leaders on board? Some of the most fruitful evangelism and discipleship through godly lifestyles occurs on board a ship at sea; often as the fruit of numbers of Bible studies and the chapel fellowship.
Gary Taylor, Captain, USN, ret
As someone who has no personal connection to the military, after reading your wonderfully descriptive blogs, I now have some specific ways to pray for our dedicated service men and women. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Blessings,
Karen
The story of your visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln brought tears to my eyes. We DO have the best men and women serving us, and sacrificing for our wonderful country.
What makes me sad as well is the ill-conceived war that we have been brought into which is taking the lives of the best and brightest men and women. Those that do return, many have serious, life-long disabilaties, physical as well as mental.
My husband served in the Navy during Vietnam, so I know what sacrific is. We have 4 grandchildren now and hope their futures will be fulfilling.
My prayer for our leadership in America and around the world is for peace, widsom and hope in all things.
I loved your blog and enjoyed reading the vast and incredible experience you reflected upon. Sharing your experience has brought to me a sense of urgency to pray for men and women who serve to protect me and serve our country. Because of this I will not take for granted the freedom I enjoy. Having so many relatives and friends serve in the military makes me ponder and think of our love for Christ and makes me want to serve him more. I may not be in charge of an anchor of a ship or maintenance of a jet but I am responible to God and what he calls us to do. Thank you.
Dr. Tackett:
I had the thrill and privilege last summer of boarding the USS Lincoln in Hawaii and bringing it back to San Diego. This was through a Navy program whereby parents can accompany their sons and daughters for the final week of a deployment. You hit all the elements of life on the carrier. Yes, we owe a real debt of gratitude to our military personnell for protecting the freedoms we so often take for granted.
David
THANKS’s
Many people forget to mention the sacrifice we go through but also our Loved ones at home. I am about to start a 1 year tour in Iraq. I dont mind going but leaving really hurts. I just finished talking to my wife as she was frustrated with car problems as she was trying to get ready to start another Truth Project at our church. There are so many things she has to strugle with that are simple for me and I am helpless to help her. I’m rambling sorry, I guess I just want to say Thanks for what you do.
Richard
(can’t say where or when I’ll be in Iraq)
Most people have no idea,(including me)the sacrifice that these young men & women pay to defend our great country. Thank you for just a peek of what these dedicated people do. Freedom is truly not free…..
Thank you for the insight… Nancy
The only thing that i’m upset about is not meeting you Sir as I was sitting in the Ships Chapel when you came thru. OML but as soon as the truth Project hit the USS Abraham Lincoln well we will see if other carriers will follow. then Lord willing Sir maybe another visit is in line for a QA…. My God is big!!! just to know he brought you out to me for the TRUTH PROJECT .. and you thought you came out to see a BIG ship ha ha right
V/r
CS1 the Cook in the Chapel on the Lincoln
Wonderful job capturing the military message of dedication, professionalism and sacrifice! As an Air Force Reserve public affairs specialist for the past 26 years, I have witnessed and interviewed countless examples of the same — particularly since 9/11. Thank you for your efforts to keep these sacrifices on the radar screen of the American public!
PS. My husband and I are starting our second Truth Project group — God is using it to transform lives!
Let me first point out that I do support the military and the need for it to protect our country. I do have a problem with 3 days worth of blogs about a hugh killing machine. I feel that the carrier is a necessary evil and there’s nothing beautiful about it. It was designed to intimidate, and kill our enemies and who God tells us to love. This is a paradox. I look forward to the week you are going to blog about the “new Mother Theresa” who is tending to the widows and orphans of this world. With all that said, I do appreciate what you do and the truth project is an amazing course.
Thank you. I served for over two years onboard the Lincoln, right up there on the flight deck as a green shirt (ABE) launching the aircraft. I appreciate your time and effort in explaining to the general population of the operations. In my time onboard, mostly out to sea ofcourse, because it was the beginning of this war, I saw a lot of things and learned a lot more. Since then I became an MA (cop), which has been an eventful career choice. I enjoy my job as an MA, but I never thought I would miss the hard work of the flight deck. Each day and night I was proud to be part of the team on the flight deck getting bombs in the air to support our ground troops. This was when I was a mere 19 year old, up there not thinking about how dangerous it was, just glad to be there to get that air support where it was needed. All the days, weeks and months begin to blend together, but when you look back, it was more than worth every ounce of sweat, blood and tears. I saw plenty of each, the worst being the tears. I remember on our way back home a news crew came on board and one of them asked me what I had missed the most and I simply said “walking on green grass.” The reporter thought that was odd, but later came back to me after walking around a steel deck for a few hours and told me she realized how much a simple thing can mean. One last thing, Hoorah, ABE’s!
Thank you for your trip, and this post, sir. My son is a Navy flight surgeon on board the Lincoln. Your support, kindness and prayers are always appreciated. He tells me that the sailors love the boat to be surrounded by the angels we ask God to send with them in our prayers. May His presence be with them each and every one, keep them safe and in His presence, and bring them all back home again soon.
Hi,
I just wanted to say great story! I really do thank you for all you have said! My husband was on the ship while you were there! I know it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to do what they do! I am so proud of my husband who will be 20 on Jan. 29! But we have been together for 6 years, and married for a year and 1/2. But I love the military, THE NAVY, for helping my husband be the man he is today! I just want to say thank you again for accknowledging all the hardwork EVERYONE puts on out with a Salior being on a ship! God Bless you all!!!