Enterprise (CVN 65) - Naval Cruise Book

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DEPENDENTS CR VISE I What ' s it like to go to sea aboard the world ' s longest aircraft carrier? A group of 3,779 family members and friends of Enterprise crewmen had that question answered March 3, 1984, during the Dependents Cruise. It was an eye-opening experience for the dependents from the time they embarked at 0400 until the voyage was over when the Big E returned to its Alameda home port and docked at 1 900. It ' s awesome, just totally awesome, is how one teen-aged girl described her experience of standing on the flight deck to view Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline as Enterprise glided beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. For others, the excitement mounted as the ship charted a course that took it 50 miles out into the blue, choppy Pacific Ocean — out of sight of any land. Then the highlight of the cruise: a dazzling air show by Carrier Air Wing Eleven pilots that displayed the capabilities of a variety of aircraft and left not only the guests spellbound, but the crewmembers too. In between the journey out to sea, the air show and the return trip, the dependents had plenty to eat and drink as well as entertainment. For most, it was an opportunity to get a firsthand glimpse of how the crew lives and works in their floating home away from home. The many letters written to the ship to praise the teamwork, friendli- ness and helpfulness of the crew in making the Dependents Cruise a memorable experience is testimony enough that Enterprise is indeed the carrier with class. 20 I DEPENDENTS CRUISE

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m y . m ' BAY AREA 9

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DEPENDENTS DAY CRUISE 1 2 1