Abe's Misadventures 11
First Cruise - Preparations
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The year after the U.S.S. Stark incident, the U.S.S. Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655, something the Machias could be susceptible to. Leadership's answer was more drilling. The crew wasn't yet aware that they were preparing to take over a part in escorting tankers in the Persian Gulf, similar to the Vincennes's role, but those paying attention sensed something was coming. They could smell a tension in the air.
When the rumors aboard ship started about an extended deployment, Abe was all ears. He looked forward to it even as he feared it. They were going on “a cruise” in shipboard parlance, still a secret despite it being whispers on more people’s lips than not. For Abe it was one of the remaining tests to qualify as a true fleet sailor in his own eyes.
The crew drilled and worked with a newfound seriousness, replacing the diminished pride and enthusiasm. Soon they were going to be stuck with one another for months on end. Frictions smoldered. No one wanted to be the one to fan the embers to flames, no one wanted to back down. A few scuffles out on the town broke out but mostly stayed under leadership’s radar.
Abe felt helpless. He couldn’t even write home about it. His correspondence home declined as he never heard from Diane and news from his family never changed. They seemed to take turns responding as if it were some kind of chore. His father lectured on whatever topic was agitating him at the moment. His mother overexpressed everything in minute detail. His brother bragged about his studies and teased Abe for being less educated. It was all thin as broth, lacking substance, starving Abe’s motivation.
By the time the deployment was officially announced, the crew was well on their way to preparing for the lengthy periods at sea. The experienced sailors knew what to expect, the first timers like Abe made their best guesses. Buy books to read, pick up something to study, set up a long-term savings plan.
The smaller, gas turbine powered Machias was ready quickly, leading to a lot of “Hurry-up and Wait” at which the ship and crew excelled. Their role was providing a dome of state-of-the-art radar aircover over the battle group with its cutting-edge missile system, a sub-hunting helicopter and sonar. The telephone system still didn't stand out in anyone's mind.
The Machias joined a battle group centered on an aircraft carrier led by an Iowa-class battleship refit with modern systems replacing those from World War II. The battle group was headed to replace the group currently operating in the Persian Gulf and show off some muscle along the way. The world was watching. The pace would be steady, unrushed, unstoppable. Traveling half the globe, there would be no port calls, replenishment of fuel and supplies would be at sea.
There was a palpable satisfaction in being underway toward a specific destination, sailing through seas that were unbelievably clear and blue at a brisk clip. The entire crew was busy, on mission, and reenergized.
It was a temporal reprieve.
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