Military

Me and an FA-18 Hornet on board USS Stennis (February 19, 2009)

Sailors are friendly on USS Stennis.

In case you are wondering, I was not the only guest on board.

EA-6B Prowler is an electronic warfare aircraft. I was told that this plane can turn off the power the an entire city.

E2C Hawkeye is an AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft.

The tower with all the trimmings: the white tomes are gun sites--just in case you are thinking of messing around

The rear view of USS Stennis

The front view of USS Stennis

USS Stennis came with the whole battle group on this trip to Hong Kong. A few months later, I boarded a destroyer very similar to the one seen on the foreground.

Less than three months after USS Stennis, I boarded USS Chafee (May 14, 2009). Now I have boarded almost all of the major classes of warships of the 7th Fleet. Maybe the submarine is next.

USS George Washington (USSGW) made a historic visit to Hong Kong in the 17 year history of the ship (October 29, 2009).

Foreign militaries were invited on board USSGW in this historic visit. Indian and French militaries were shown in this photo.

A mural is shown in the hangar bay of USSGW. All the art work on the ship was done by the shipmates.

Planes are equipments are stored in the hangar of USSGW.

The windlasses (crank poles) in the hawse (the room that stores anchors and anchor chains) are masterpieces of art.

More decorative art in the hawse of USSGW

An F-18 is shown with decorative paint work.

An F-18 is being serviced on the flight deck of USSGW.

Prowlers are parked in front of the tower of USSGW.

A Seahawk helicpeter on the flight deck of USSGW. A Seahawk is essentially the same as the Blackhawk except that the former can fold its tail and blades.

Me with Tom Cruise (just kidding).

I said, "Set sail." But USSGW did not move even though I was issuing the command from the captain's chair. I guess it was me and not the chair.

The bridge has the best view of the flight deck.

Just to be fair ... Some pictures from the PLA military show

Me in a military show in Hong Kong for the People Liberation Army of China (August 3, 2008)

Amphibian armor vehicle

Mobile missile launcher

Armor vehicle equipped with anti-air guns