I was doing the Fleet thing about the same time in San Diego...worked around the New Jersey a few times...Awesome NGFS capability!!!
West coast was on my wish list but I never saw it. LOL
I wish I had appreciated being on that ship when I was, instead of years later. During sea trials, I was the only person, other than the ships photographer, who was allowed on deck when the guns were fired. Technically I probably wasn’t allowed on deck, but I asked my Chief if I could go on deck and take some pics, and he said yes, although he looked confused when he said it. That was a very sweet 45 minutes. I think I was about 75 feet away from the turret when it was fired. Good times.... :)