On 13 October, we left new orleans bound
for norfolk. the weekend prior to leaving we had loaded cars onto the ship. as an amphibious transport dock, our ship is designed to carry marines and their equipment to the fight. 178 cars from the crew were no major issue for us. monday we trained for getting underway, and then tuesday, we got underway. i was on the bridge manning the bridge to bridge and one of our navigation radars. it got dicey when fog obscured our visibility.
the phoenix on our ship's crest represents our ship rising from the ashes of the world trade centers. to the people of new orleans, it also represents the regeneration of new orleans following katrina. alot of people at northrup grumman came back to new orleans after katrina just so they could finish building new york. groups in new orleans publicized our ship's departure, and the mayor invited the people of new orleans to line the levees. i didnt expect that many people to come, but was amazing to see so many people lining the levees waving american flags and hearing
the fire engines and police cars sound their horns. there was fog, so we were sounding our horn every minute... every time we sounded ours, the police and firemen did the same... which was funny. i guess they thought we were saying hello, but we were just saying, hey ships, we're here, dont hit us... even if you cant see us. then, as we reached the crescent city connection... the bridge i took for two months from my apartment in the french quarter to the shipyard, the fog began to lift... as we neared the french quarter, the steam calliope on the steamer natchez began to play, which added a surreal carnival atmosphere to it for
me. the fog, leaving new orleans (i really didnt want to leave, i loved living there). at the naval support activity new orleans, they fired a 21 gun salute. when
we passed naval air station new orleans there was a crowd and they had a rifle salute. plaquemines' parish gave us a two ship escort that traveled for several hours down the river spraying water.
as we descended further and further down the river, i couldn't help but think, how much it looked like home... it was really sad for me to pass through all the pretty country and everyone else be excited to "go home," while i was heading away from home once again back to the east coast.
and then we got to the gulf... and the oil rigs, and i felt at home... but every nautical mile traveled took us farther away. the map overlay on the radar console in combat showed how close we were... but, we were underway, and i was finally doing the job i am paid to do on the ship i'm supposed to be doing it. haze grey, and
underway... finally.
for norfolk. the weekend prior to leaving we had loaded cars onto the ship. as an amphibious transport dock, our ship is designed to carry marines and their equipment to the fight. 178 cars from the crew were no major issue for us. monday we trained for getting underway, and then tuesday, we got underway. i was on the bridge manning the bridge to bridge and one of our navigation radars. it got dicey when fog obscured our visibility.
the phoenix on our ship's crest represents our ship rising from the ashes of the world trade centers. to the people of new orleans, it also represents the regeneration of new orleans following katrina. alot of people at northrup grumman came back to new orleans after katrina just so they could finish building new york. groups in new orleans publicized our ship's departure, and the mayor invited the people of new orleans to line the levees. i didnt expect that many people to come, but was amazing to see so many people lining the levees waving american flags and hearing 
the fire engines and police cars sound their horns. there was fog, so we were sounding our horn every minute... every time we sounded ours, the police and firemen did the same... which was funny. i guess they thought we were saying hello, but we were just saying, hey ships, we're here, dont hit us... even if you cant see us. then, as we reached the crescent city connection... the bridge i took for two months from my apartment in the french quarter to the shipyard, the fog began to lift... as we neared the french quarter, the steam calliope on the steamer natchez began to play, which added a surreal carnival atmosphere to it for
me. the fog, leaving new orleans (i really didnt want to leave, i loved living there). at the naval support activity new orleans, they fired a 21 gun salute. when
we passed naval air station new orleans there was a crowd and they had a rifle salute. plaquemines' parish gave us a two ship escort that traveled for several hours down the river spraying water.
as we descended further and further down the river, i couldn't help but think, how much it looked like home... it was really sad for me to pass through all the pretty country and everyone else be excited to "go home," while i was heading away from home once again back to the east coast. 
and then we got to the gulf... and the oil rigs, and i felt at home... but every nautical mile traveled took us farther away. the map overlay on the radar console in combat showed how close we were... but, we were underway, and i was finally doing the job i am paid to do on the ship i'm supposed to be doing it. haze grey, and 
underway... finally.
