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You are here: Home / Blog / A Peek Onboard the USS Leyte Gulf For Maryland Fleet Week

A Peek Onboard the USS Leyte Gulf For Maryland Fleet Week

October 24, 2016 by Tawanna 7 Comments

Getting to the USS Leyte Gulf isn’t your everyday excursion. This active destroyer is usually busy out at sea. Fortunately, it was assigned to Maryland Fleet Week for public tours and I was in town to spend a day on the ship.

Martin State airport
Getting ready to hop on a helo (helicopter) at Martin State Airport air field

When I found out that we’d have to take a helicopter to sea to board the ship, my brain began constructing all kinds of movie scenes. Hooray for my active imagination that had me prepared for just about anything.

AirStripNight

Overall, transportation was pretty mellow. But still, landing onboard the USS Leyte Gulf was an adventure!

MH-60 to the USS Leyte Gulf

I mean, how many of us can say that we’ve ever been transported by an MH-60 helicopter to a guided missile cruiser (with ready strike capabilities) at sea?

MH60 crew
One of the crew members aboard our MH-60

Not many. Check that off my list!

MH-60 Helicopter Selfies

The exciting embark isn’t something that happens everyday.

PilotSelfie
One of the guys who helped keep me safe.

Orchestrated by Naval District Washington and Commander Carrier Strike Group 12 as a part of the activities for Maryland’s first Fleet Week with the U.S. Navy, myself and twelve other distinguished visitors were transported in the early morning hours to meet the ship while it was in transit to Baltimore.

HeloBay
The Leyte Gulf’s aircraft bay.

Onboard the USS Leyte Gulf

EmblemFloor

Once onboard the ship, all distinguished visitors had an opportunity to spend time with the officers and crew, tour the vessel, enjoy lunch (those of us on the early helos had the pleasure of having breakfast as well), visit the ship’s store, and engage in other exciting onboard activities.

USS Leyte Gulf bow
Bow of the USS Leyte Gulf as we head in towards Baltimore.

Visitors to Maryland’s Fleet Week (Oct 10-17) took a tour onboard the Leyte (pronounced “lay-tay”) Gulf as well.

TheBridge

Our at-sea experience included visiting the bridge as well as other nooks and crannies of the ship. The flight deck, bridge, and ward (the officer’s eating area) were highlights of my visit.

Specs and brief history of the USS Leyte Gulf

MissileGuns

The twenty nine year-old TICONDEROGA class AEGIS Guided Missile Cruiser’s home port is in Norfolk, VA. Commissioned in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 1987, the ships original homeport was in Mayport, FL.

R2Afar

According to the U.S. Navy, the USS Leyte Gulf was first modernized in 2007. It underwent Cruiser Modernization in 2011, which included significant Combat Systems upgrades, extensive hull, tank and superstructure work.

R2Guns

The ship has deployed to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, Adriatic Sea, the coast of Somalia, the Mediterranean and “to points East” supporting various missions and operations.

Picture tour aboard the Leyte Gulf

Typical narrow ship stairs
The narrow stairs of the Leyte Gulf

If you couldn’t make it to see the ship, here are some shots from my day with the crew of the Leyte Gulf. Since the ship is an active carrier, it was business as usual.

working the compass onboard the USS Leyte Gulf
Two seamen working out the ship’s navigation.

Each crew member has a task and a role. I had a chance to see just about everything from splicing rope to navigating the ship to getting meals ready in the galley.

splicing rope on the USS Leyte Gulf
Splicing rope on the USS Leyte Gulf

 

Boat

 

SideDeck

 

Overlook on USS Leyte Gulf
The USS Leyte Gulf’s Commanding Officer

 

USS Leyte Gulf Tower
Bunch of steel, navigation and communications equipment

 

USS Leyte Gulf pulls into Baltimore Harbor

 

Tug boat pulls USS Leyte Gulf into Baltimore
A tug boat pilots the USS Leyte Gulf into the port of Baltimore

LeyteGulfDocked

Here are some of the faces of the USS Leyte Gulf who keep the waters safe.

ChatDeck

I couldn’t help but take multiple selfies with sailors before they disembarked for their day out in Baltimore.

BoySailors

I’m grateful for each one of these guys and girls who take an oath to the U.S. Navy.

GirlSailors

There’s nothing quite like that Navy pride. Believe me, I know. I’m not only married to a Navy man but I live right outside Annapolis, i.e. Navy Town.

THumbsUp

The most important seat in the house deserves its own bit of artwork, wouldn’t you agree?

USS Leyte Gulf Commander's Box

On our way into Baltimore, we had the pleasure of pulling right up to the Navy’s latest and greatest ship, the USS Zumwalt, a futuristic-looking stealth destroyer. It was commissioned during Maryland Fleet Week amongst dignitaries and other invited guests.

ZimmwaultPanoramic

To learn more about what happened at Maryland Fleet Week, Visit Maryland’s website.

« Things To Do At Maryland Fleet Week
An Existential Retreat In Costa Rica Made of 1,000 Steps »

Comments

  1. Jessie Voigts says

    October 25, 2016 at 1:09 PM

    This is so cool – what an experience! And big thanks to those who serve. <3

    Reply
    • worldtravelmom says

      October 25, 2016 at 7:47 PM

      Yes, definitely one of those experiences that you can’t just pay for to have.

      Reply
  2. Megan Jerrard says

    October 25, 2016 at 6:59 PM

    Wow, what a fantastic experience – really does seem like you would feel like you were in a movie what with the helicopter ride and then amazing access to the ship! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • worldtravelmom says

      October 25, 2016 at 7:48 PM

      I did feel a bit Top Gun on that helicopter! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Jeff Titelius says

    October 25, 2016 at 7:25 PM

    What an adventure!! I would loved the helicopter ride and the opportunity to tour the ship!! WOW!!!

    Reply
    • worldtravelmom says

      October 25, 2016 at 7:50 PM

      Yeah, my husband was a little jealous that he’s served all these years and even he’s never had that experience. He’s had his own that I’m certain don’t compare to this. The ship was pretty amazing. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  4. Lillie says

    October 30, 2016 at 9:12 PM

    Ahh! My son would love this so much… as would my husband. 🙂 Thanks for the tip!

    Reply

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