AO3 Smitty's USS Enterprise Logbook

[xelflex]

Greetings to all Enterprise folks.

My name is Dave McKay and am a Doctor from New Zealand, with a pretty special interest in your legendary ship. I grew up in Auckland New Zealand and my Father was a mercant Marine engineer, so I spent a lot of time around ships. before the end of ANZUS alliance in the early 80's , I visited all the US PacFlt ships that visited our city. I remember seeing USS Long Beach CGN-9 at anchor in 1976, and was aboard USS Niagara Falls AFS-3, which had only just served BiG E and Truxtun / LongBeach in a record UNREP. I loved the smell of US Navy ships( I believe a blend of marine oil and chicken soup!), and my thoughts were one day that I would see Big E. Not Only did I see big E , 3 times, but I have been fortunate to visit whilst underway on deployment- twice. I was hoping to do the same on her last deployment to complete my research for the book I am writing on her.

I commenced my research in 1995, when I visited Big E at NavSta Norfolk. I followed this up with two embarkations in November 1998, firstly departing Norfolk on day one of JTG 99.1 cruise, remaining aboard 3 days. I then flew out to Big E in Northern Arabian Gulf and spent a further 3 days aboard. It was extremely gracious of the CO, CAG, PAO and crew to host me for those special days , and I compiled some excellent photography of big E / CVW -3 in cruise mode. I have made 2 catapult launches and one arrested landing in VRC -40, and a helicopter hop in the gulf with HS-7. ( I call myself an enturion!!) I was initially going to write about that cruise only , but my interest in Big E and history runs deeper and I decided to wait for Big E to complete her history before I complete my book. To that end I was hoping that I would be able to make one final visit underway so that I could capture her final cruise and really make this book special.

My background as discussed, is in medicine, where I practice General Practice and Palliative Medicine in Dunedin New Zealand. I am also a keen photographer and have a huge interest in Naval Aviation history. My preparation for writing the definitive book on Big E has included extensive research of naval literature, and fastidious collection of Enterprise material such as cruise books, and command histories. I have collected historic photographs, memorabilia as well as my own photos and intend to showcase the best from the collection. I also have a friend in NZ who served and flew from Big E in the 60's and has been a great inspiration for me. He initially told me that my G-1 with patches was not earned , but after my exploits concurs that I did indeed earn (some) of the patches!! My present membership in the Tailhook association ( since 1990) and US naval Institute, as well as visitation and membership in Naval Avaition Museum Foundation has also been invaluable support in my research. The book itself is a full design and operational history with much attention to evolution of Big E and her crew. For example I am studying in detail her electronic systems from start to finish with parallel discussion on the missions and airwing compositions. I wish to look at the crew as the lifeblood of this great ship and connect the two with history and stories.

I am hoping to obtain as many interesting seas stories as possible and would like to extend my request to any former crew and their family members who would like to contact me to assist with my book. Almost like any ship ( although in a way Enterprise is different) the structure without crew and purposeful activity is like a body without mind and soul. My book, I wish not to just be an endless list of facts, although there will be a comprehensive technical and operational history, but to give some sense of lifeblood to the ship, and what best way to honour that than with peoples stories.

I may be contacted by email zebede@es.co.nz , or by post- Dr McKay co 15 marks rd ,Karitane , Otago 9440, New Zealand.

This is a wonderful site Smitty has created , and in the future if there is any way I can contribute , I would be honored to have the opportunity. In the meantime I am hoping USS Enterprise has one last cruise in 2012, and that I may get aboard for that cruise. Lord knows after the last SRA with all the money spent and the shortage in the fleet at the moment one more cruise would be welcome. I do hear though that she is old and tired and so retirement at the end of this cruise may be the case. If I do get another chance to go aboard I'll be over the moon, as final cruise photos will round things out beautifully.

Cheerts All from Down Under

Dave McKay
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[Jeffberk]

Hi Dave, Good luck to you and thanks for writing such a book. I was a crew member from 77-81, made West-Pac '78, Long Beach and Truxton were both along for the ride. We were lucky enough to go to Perth, Australia but did not get to New Zealand. The people of Perth/Fremantle were extremely friendly as I'm sure the people of new Zealand are. If you haven't, you may want to check out the facebook page for Enterprise. Great pictures including a car being shot off the cats while on West-Pac '78.
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The coffee pot is not half full, its half empty.

[xelflex]

Hi there Jeff,
Thank you for your thoughts. I am very excited about this book and have managed to accumulate lots of resource literature which is from official, credited and validated sources. My own photography and archival imagery is extensive and will need much editing, or the book will cost too much. I will be trying to tel the story from as many angles as possible with as many unpublished photos as I can. I have experienced and thought much about Big E and will be including much of my own thoughts and experienced ,but again in as validated way as I can.
Although I am from NZ, one sister and parents live in Perth, and so I have spent a lot of time over there, and I can well imagine what an oasis it is for westpac sailors to touchdown in Fremantle and Perth. I have some great shots of Big E anchored off Perth ( in the "gauges") taken by a professional photographer back in your cruise 1978.
Yes I have checked out the facebook page and remember well the photo of the Plymouth catapaulted off Cat two in 1978.
Cheers again Dave
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xelflex

[lnj19800]

How can i put AVI video into my PSP, i would like to enjoy the movies in PSP.
from: www.holeesoft.com/news/how-to-convert-psp-to-avi.html

[xelflex]

Well I thought I should update yo'all
I was aboard Big E whilst steaming in Northern Arabian Sea, supporting Op enduring Freedom, for 9 days. A wonderful crew, I've never laughed so much. They are all very professional and proud of the Carrier with Class. The book is nearing completion, and many photos from my 4 x aboard (95, 2x98 and 2012)in book.
Cheers Dave
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xelflex

[xelflex]

Good news everyone, the book I have been working on the complete history of USS Enterprise CVAN / CVN-65 is in the final leg and will be out March 2013, this book covers everything, has 688 pages and many many previously unpublished photos and insignia as well as many essential images, Cheers All, Dr Dave
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xelflex