USS INDEPENDENCE Cv-62
Permission to come aboard shipmates!
USS INDEPENDENCE in Japan
Our Home Port! Yokuska Japan, The first day I arrived in Japan I had one of those, oh sh*t! What did I get myself into, moments!!! I finaly got to Yokuska by way of Norita then Atsugi, The ship was underway doing sea trails for the first month I was in Japan! I met up with Mat Kennedy at TPU. I was in boot camp with him, we walked to Mc Donalds sat on the wall and said 3yrs of this! Well it turned out to be some of the best three years of my life! Softball tourniments w/ the UH-OH team, The Haunch, Georges Country Bar, BEEF BOWLS @ 2:00am! The Sea Wall! Christmas at Sea Side Cafe. Buy one beer, drink three cases that we snuck in. I can talk about Japan for a week straight and still have storys to tell. Shipmates add your story to this site in the guest book. The Indy receives The First Navy Jack
Don't Tread on Me
Independence became the oldest ship in the Navy's active fleet, and the first carrier in history to hold that distinction, on 30 June 1995. With this honor, Independence displayed the Revolution-era First Navy Jack, commonly called the "Don't Tread On Me" flag, from her bow until her decommissioning. The flag was presented to Independence commanding officer Capt. David P. Polatty III in a formal ceremony on 1 July. The flag was received from USS Mauna Kea (AE 22) upon her decommissioning The Pirate catcher! USS INDEPENDENCE
receive via e-mail from letaz
THIS IS REVOLUTIONARY!!!
Pirates may want to find another profession...
We've been hearing rumblings about the U.S. Navy's triple-hulled ships, but here's one that was launched last month, the USS Independence ...
Built by General Dynamics at AUSTAL Shipbuilding in Mobile, Al., it's called a "littoral combat ship" (LCS),
and the tri-maran can move huge weapons around faster than any ship in the Navy.
Ironic that with all that high tech built in, the ship reminds us of the Merrimac Ironclad from Civil War days.
Littoral means close to shore, and that's where these fleet-hulled babies will operate, tailor-made for launching helicopters and armored vehicles, sweeping mines and firing all manner of torpedoes, missiles and machine guns.
These ships were designed to be relatively inexpensive .... this one's a bargain at $208 million and the navy plans to build 55 of them.
This tri-maran is the first of the new fire-breathing breed, ready to scoot out of dry dock at a rumored 60 knots.
It's like a speedy and heavily-armed aircraft carrier for helicopters.
Yokasuka 2009
Shipmates sound off!
Did you serve on the Indy?
There are many pages of these blurbs!
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- ToddyG ToddyG Dec 3, 2009 @ 2:00 am
- What up Homies? Just wanted y'all to know that I am still constantly thinking of you all and apologize for being AWOL! I guess I need to see the Captain! Tommy, I gotta Cherry Vodka recipe you need to try out sometime...I think you'll like.
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- custombartender custombartender Nov 25, 2009 @ 9:08 am
- Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll. I really miss Thanksgiving dinner on the ship! NOT lol For those still serving I'm thankful for you.
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- Tommy D Tommy D Nov 13, 2009 @ 9:54 am
- Matt, I just got an e-mail from together we served. I'm not a premium member so I can't read it! I'm going to NYC with a few of my friends next weekend. Today is the 11-13-2009 :P Friday the 13th..... Good luck day.
Anyway let me know whats up!The kids and I saw The USS NEW YOUk last week, She was next to the USS INTREPID. I'll tell you seeing those squids on the pier made me think. That was the day before the commissioning.
It's an incredible ship with a MISSION!! copy and paste this link
http://www.ussnewyork.com/ussny_commissioning.html
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- custombartender custombartender Nov 11, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
- Shipwrecks, Letaz got away with it for three years, I can't get a few months!!! LOL, hanging out watching Band Of Brothers. Ez Company was bad ass.
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- KENNEDY KENNEDY Nov 11, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
- SHIPMATES Hope you all had a Outstanding Veterans Day!!!!! If I ever had my own buisness I would give every veteran I had working for me a paid day off. Hey Letasz I am good, hope all is well with you. I agree about the gun decking unsat shippy! LOL I think I will ride the couch and watch the military channel for the rest of the night.
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These guys
Chippy Ho!
Stand by to stand by
Iwo Jima
INCREDIBLE
One of my single most greatest experiences in life was spending 16 days and nights on the tiny island of Iwo Jima. This Picture was taken on top of Mt Suribachi overlooking the entire island. I climbed the Mt. from the invasion point, up the black sands of the beach past the natural tar pit, sulfer pit and the million dollar hole to the point where the famous picture was taken of our men raising the flag. On the way up the mountain we passed empty bullet casings, food trays and helmets just as the laid since those brutal weeks for the battle of Iwo Jima!Thanks to ABF1 Koon flapping his arms like wings at the end of the run way we were able to take off in that heavey overloaded tin can C130. I said, Fleming is that wing supose to shake like that? Koon slapped his head and with his famous saying AH DAWG don't do that to me! We thought he was going to have a heart attack right there in in that plane.
Japanese shoot down an American bomber
June 5, 1996
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I was fueling dollies in fly 2 when this happened! I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember one of the pilots coming onboard his face was full of blood he walked right past me! The next helo to hit the deck was carrying the Admiral of the Japanese Navy and their CNO!
Operation Southern Watch
It Flies It Dies
I was aboard the USS Independence when Saddam Hussein's two daughters and their husbands, including Lt Gen Hussein Kamel Hassan, considered the No 2 man in the regime, defected to Jordan and vowed to work against the president. The US promised to protect Jordan from Iraqi attack. Of course our cruise to Austraila was canceled! We left Yakosuka early and headed straight for the Persian Gulf.Saddam wanted them back
Our time in Dubia and Jabal ali was great. The Gold Souk Dubai was unbelievable! To much to put into words. The overnight USO traditional desert village tour, Dave FLemming started us on the Tequila, He needed it after getting bucked off the Camel. Waking up the next morning seeing Squids passed out all over the desert, that image is burned into my eternal memory! How about the creek that flows UPHILL?
USS INDEPENDENCE 1996 Taiwans Presidential election.
China was not happy with us at all!China unleashed a new round of angry warnings Tuesday for the United States to stay out of its business with Taiwan, ordering a halt to its "brazen show of force."
"The United States must immediately stop its activities, designed to interfere in China's internal affairs and intensify the tensions in the Taiwan Strait area," said Shen Guofang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman.
China is displeased over the United States' "brazen show of force," he said.
Shen issued his statements in a news conference after being asked about possible U.S. plans to send its aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, through the strait to monitor Chinese war games. Another U.S. naval group, headed by the USS Independence, is also in the region.
Upon returning to Yokosuka in April 1996, the ship was visited by President Bill Clinton as part of an official state visit to Japan.
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Port call Hawaii
1997 Guam
In 1997, Independence made a four month deployment, covering several major exercises and seven ports of call. Included in these ports of call were two historic port visits. The first was 28 February 1997 to the island territory of Guam. Independence was the first aircraft carrier to pull into Guam in 36 years.Some of the girls from the USS HOLLAND at the Tiki Bar in Guam! Along w/ ABF 3 Bork!
USS INDEPENDENCE in Thailand
Patio Beach Thailand was off the hook! Marylands! Do I need to say more?The Carousel Bar,how many ways can you get injured in that place? The "ceiling Fans"! The pole in between the two bars. Jeepney's :))
The Sea Wall
What the hell were we looking at?
I miss the Sea Wall like I miss 45/45 shipwrecks! If we were at the wall that meant we didn't have shit else to do and we were to broke to out in town!
Jack you sexy S. O. B!!!
Pollywog To Shellback
On our way to Austrailia
In the U.S. Navy, when a ship crosses the equator a time-honored ceremony takes place. This is a Navy tradition and an event no sailor ever forgets. With few exceptions, those who have been inducted into the "mysteries of the deep" by Neptunus Rex and his Royal court, count the experience as a highlight of their naval career. Line-Crossing Ceremony USS INDEPENDENCE Korea
Pusan
I called my father and told him it looked like the 4077 just folded up the tents and left! We did have a great time there! I had a reocurring dream for two years while I was on the INDEPENDECE, It went like this: I was hanging out in the streets of Pusan drinking my OSCARS and I looked down the street and the Ship was leaving without me!! I would start running down the street yelling don't leave me here! Now I had a middle rack, I remember one time the dream felt so real that I jumped up and I and cracked my head on the top rack! F#%K That Hurt!Shipmates stay off GREEN STREET!
Together We Served
Together-we-served-dot-com is an incredible web site, for anyone that served in the military. It is free unless you decide to upgrade. Please enter referral # 430488 . Ship Store
Singapore
The cleanest city in the world! Everyone on board bought a t-shirt from singapore that listed the laws that would get you canned if you broke one of them. I was on the last half of my 45/45 1/2 x's 2 we won't get into that! Liberty call Yakota Air force Base
Flemming I need Pictures of Yakota!
Man Yakota Airforce Base is the best kept secret in Japan.(if Crappy can keep his mouth shut) From the cheap rooms on base with the common living room, to the Air Girls that needed to be with some bad ass squids. Rockin the clubs and dancing in the puke of some drunken Marines,passed out Soldiers and shitting their pants AIR BOYS that can't hang w/ the 6 duece baby! USS INDEPENDENCE in Hong Kong
We went to Hong Kong a few times, but the most memoriable time was my last time. The INDEPENDENCE was there 16 days before the turnover back to Chineese rule. The energy there was great, everyone was optomistic that the Chineese would not drop the Iron Curtain on this great Island. Great city to party in! Ok your right everywhere we went was a great place to party!The Transfer of Sovereignty
Sapparo Japan
Over A million JN visitors in 5 days!
The Uss Independece second historic port call in 1997 was Sapporo Japan. The Indy was the first Aircraft Carrier in their port since the end of WWII. Never in my life have I seen so many people line up to see ANYTHING! Over the course of 5 days I believe over a million people lined up to see the INDY. This is not a great picture,However you can see that they are packed in all the way down the street! The tour they waited for was of hangar bay 1 and 2. The people of Sapparo treated us like super stars. visit again I will talk about the Sapporo Beer Factory
Uss Indepedence Patches
My Rack
The Phillipines
G-rated version
AT1 Stradtman we were not able to port in Subic Bay while I was stationed on the Indy, however the Philippines is the Philippines if you know what I mean!The firehouse cafe comes to mind right away The MOJOS never wore off.
One of my favorite Philippines story's goes like this. LMAO already. I was in the firehouse cafe on the first floor. I got 2 pictures of Mojos w/ big straws and I'm cocked already, as I 'm walking up the steps to the second floor, Command Master Chief stopped me and questioned if I was going To drink both of them myself. I said I was going to unless you help me! Kennedy can still make the face that guy made when I said that! I stumbled away! I wish I listened to him. I woke up with the worst hangover of my life! I mean to this very day. This pic is of Armando in our hotel room in the Philippines.
Many guys to find still!!
e-mail these guys lets get them to sign in!
Ya'll know that It would be great to find everyone. bon day, walleye, laub, , Mesh I still owe you for that on night you were laying on the bathroom floor Lol (it wasnt the bathroom floor) I'll wait to see if he will post that, !Lacey, Fitzgerald, Emory, Gibby Gib, McCon, Mc Crappy, Koon, many many more to add to this list. US NAVY APPAREL
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US NAVY Distressed Style logo Men's Sweat Shirt in 2 colors Small thru 3XL
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Shadow Series Hat - US Navy
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/05/2009)
R.I.P ShipMates
ABF1 Read was set to retire bought a piece of land a Harley and talked about going fishing and hanging out with his wife. I will never forget his death or his Momorial at Sea.
ABF1 Mobley retired and passed away about 1 year later. I will give more details when I can.
Navy Petty Officer awarded The Metal of Honor
Mike Monsoor = A true hero
Mike Monsoor, a Navy Seal~ Team 3 class 250 was
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor
posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq,
giving his life to save his fellow Seals.
During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego ,
as his coffin was being moved from the hearse
to the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National
Cemetery , SEAL's were lined up on both sides
of the pallbearers route forming a column of two's,
with the coffin moving up the center. As Mike's
coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his
gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down
embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin.
The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side,
it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it.
This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero..
This should be front-page news instead of the crap we see every day..
Since the media won't make this news, I will..!!!! I am very proud of our military.
God Bless our Troops
Rest in Peace shipmate
Tribute to Mike
Mike Monsoor's coffin!
Shipmates / Brothers
Until the next time you visit this lens.
Permission to go ashore granted shipmates~
by custombartender
This lens is to keep the memories alive and give her crew a way to get in touch with each oth... (more)
