Posted on 09/07/2003 11:26:31 AM PDT by I_Love_My_Husband
Blink-182 Brings High Energy Show to Nimitz
Story Number: NNS030902-02
Release Date: 9/2/2003 9:00:00 AM
By Operations Specialist 2nd Clas Carla Morton, USS Nimitz Public Affairs
ABOARD USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- Multiplatinum-selling band Blink-182, comprised of singer/bassist Mark Hoppus, singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker came aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Aug. 27 to meet with the crew and put on a rocking show in the hangar bay.
Blink-182, a pop/punk band that got their start in San Diego in 1993, is famous for songs such as “All The Small Things” and “What’s My Age Again?”
While aboard Nimitz, the band had lunch with Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 Sailors.
“This was great,” said Barker. “We walked in and had dinner with complete strangers who instantly became friends.”
According to Hoppus, he was excited to see what it was like to live aboard an aircraft carrier.
Blink-182 completed a busy day of meeting Sailors and signing autographs with a high-energy show in typical Blink-182 style.
“They were really enthusiastic,” said Airman Bryan Ward, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97. “It took a lot of dedication to come all the way out here to entertain us.”
The band sang three of the songs off of their upcoming album and all of the originals that they are famous for.
According to the band, they were honored to be aboard Nimitz.
“This is an awesome experience. It is so unreal,” said DeLonge. “I have a personal tie to the military, because my brother is in the military and a lot of my wife’s family is in the military.”
According to Barker, he was excited about coming to Nimitz, but nervous about traveling to the Middle East. "Meeting the people outweighed everything that scared me, though,” he said.
For many Sailors aboard Nimitz, the concert will be one of the most memorable moments of the western Pacific (WESTPAC) Deployment.
“This was the best experience that I have had since I have been on board Nimitz,” said Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class (AW) Dan Colby, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97. “They are really down to earth people, and it was great to have the opportunity to meet them.”
The band expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the sacrifices the crew of Nimitz and CVW-11 make.
“We are honored to have this once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Hoppus. “We may never get another chance to play a show on an aircraft carrier. Thanks for having us on board. Go Navy.”
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and CVW-11 are currently deployed in support of the global war on terrorism.
For related news, visit the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn68.
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