Thanksgiving aboard USS Nimitz with General David Petraeus (photo thread)

United States Navy ^ | 26 November 2009

[A.A. Cunningham]

091126-N-8960W-015 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Rainbow side boys render honors to Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert Winn/Released)

091126-N-9760Z-005 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command, address the crew before a reenlistment ceremony in the forecastle of the aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza /Released)

091126-N-9760Z-017 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command, reenlists Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), on Thanksgiving Day. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza /Released)

091126-N-9760Z-037 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command, pins warfare specialty devices on the uniforms of Sailors during a ceremony in the forecastle aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on Thanksgiving Day. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza /Released)

091126-N-9760Z-062 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command, pins warfare specialty devices on the uniforms of Sailors during a ceremony in the forecastle aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on Thanksgiving Day. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza /Released)

091126-N-9760Z-168 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Capt. David Kiehl, right, chief of staff, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, Gen. David H. Petraeus, center, commander, U.S. Central Command, and Capt. Bret Batchelder, left, commander Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 approach a F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza Class /Released)

091126-N-3038W-313 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command gives thumbs up to the crew on the flight deck aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after completing a flight in a F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Wagner, Jr. /Released)

091126-N-9760Z-148 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Gen. David H. Petraeus, center, commander, U.S. Central Command thanks Rear Adm. John Miller, left, commander Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 and Capt. Bret Batchelder, right, commander Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 after a flight in an F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza Class /Released)

091126-N-9760Z-155 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Gen. David H. Petraeus, second-left, commander, U.S. Central Command receives a mounted tail hook point from Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 11 and the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), after completing a flight in an F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza Class /Released)

091126-N-4053P-034 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), serves Thanksgiving dinner to Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility conducting operations to reassure regional partners of the United Statesí commitment to security, stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Patton/Released)

[beebuster2000]

you have to love the stars on petraeus chef hat.

[squarebarb]

Yes, a great touch.

[envisio]

That man will be my president one day......

[Bag]

I hope so! God Bless him and all of our troops!

[WellyP]

2012!

[Frantzie]

How about 2012 or sooner.

[Rummyfan]

God Bless all our sailors, soldiers, airmen, and marines!

Oh yeah, and the coasties too!

[PzLdr]

Second thread today on Thanksgiving with the troops. No Il douche. Guess the CinC was playing golf?

[beebuster2000]

who knows what the different color vests do?

[beebuster2000]

what is the guy in the top right white vest doing with his hands?

091126-N-8960W-015 GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 26, 2009) Rainbow side boys render honors to Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are currently deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert Winn/Released)

[rjsimmon]

who knows what the different color vests do?

The different colors are for specific job duties:

• Purple = Fuels
• Red = Ordance / Fire
• Yellow = Directors / LSO / LSE
• Blue = Handlers / Elevator-crew
• Green = Maintanence-Catapult-Arrestor gear
• Brown = Plane Captain
• White = Safety / QA (Quality Assurance)

[BluH2o]

... who knows what the different color vests do?

Differentiates job responsibilities on the flight deck.

[rjsimmon]

Looks like his right arm is in a cast...

If so, why he would be in the lineup is a mystery.

[Last Dakotan]

Are there that many women aboard ship now or are they just photographed more?

[abb]

It’s called “piping aboard.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boatswain%27s_call

[NoDRodee]

Yes, I was a green vest. I remember Thankgiving 1990 aboard the USS Tripoli. Great meal, Those Navy chefs can cook good when they want to. Shure bear the roast beef and rices we were served every other day on the way to Desert Storm.

Petraeus is one of my fav heroes of all time. great leader. I would love to meet him.

[rjsimmon]

It’s called “piping aboard.”

Been there, done that. But the sailor is delivering a left-handed salute...

[abb]

http://www.cffc.navy.mil/customs.htm

Salutes
The hand salute is the military custom you will learn first and use most while in the military. It is centuries old, and probably originated when men in armor raised their helmet visors so they could be identified. Salutes are customarily given with the right hand, but there are exceptions. A Sailor, whose right arm or hand is encumbered may salute left-handed, while people in the Army or Air Force never salute left-handed.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/Seaflags/customs/trads.html

Tending the Side
When a senior officer or official formally visits a ship of the Navy, he or she is normally “piped over the side” by a boatswain’s mate and a number of sideboys corresponding to the visitor’s rank as shown on the table of honors. This process is a ritual throwback to the days when coming aboard a ship meant either climbing up a rope ladder or being hoisted aboard in a boatswain’s chair. Sideboys were mustered to assist if necessary in pulling the visitor bodily over the side. The tale goes that the more senior the officer, the greater the weight to be lifted, and accordingly the more sideboys mustered. Sideboys were first formally prescribed in the U.S. Navy by the 1843 Rules and Regulations, but had clearly been provided from the very birth of the service.

Well before the visiting dignitary arrives, the boatswain’s mate of the watch sounds the call “Pass the word” over the shipboard loudspeaker system, known as the 1MC, and passes the word “Lay to the quarterdeck the sideboys.” The sideboys line up facing each other in two rows, with the boatswain’s mate positioned behind the outboard sideboy in the forward row. The boatswain’s mate then pipes “Alongside,” timing it to end when the boat reaches the foot of the accommodation ladder or the car arrives at the shore end of the brow. When the visitor’s head appears at the level of the quarterdeck (or when he reaches a designated point on the brow or accommodation ladder), the boatswain’s mate begins piping “Over the Side” and he, the sideboys, and all other persons on the quarterdeck salute. If the boatswain’s mate uses his right hand to hold the call (pipe), he may salute left-handed. The piping continues until the visitor has passed between the two rows of sideboys and is greeted by the officer of the deck; salutes are held throughout, as well as through any musical honors and gun salute that may be rendered. The process is repeated in reverse when the visitor departs, with the boatswain’s mate piping “Over the Side” as the guest passes through the sideboys and “Away” as his boat or vehicle gets under way.

[Happyinmygarden]

Sigh. How refreshing to see a real man, doing a real man’s job, rather than that panty-waist jug-ears joke-of-a-present playing a round of golf.

One can hope...