 Ship's Crest
(Photo courtesy of US Navy)
|  Welcome and safety brief by Captain Dewes, the Commanding Officer
|  The families and friends along with the over 300 crew, brought the ships occupancy to about 1000.
|  Starting up the engines
|
 Still moored at pier 13, noting the awards the Shiloh has received.
|  Pier 13, shared with the USS Boxer.
|  Captain Dewes
|  |
 The Captain with the Harbor Pilot, who talks to the tugboats in an unintelligible language ...
|  ... which are maneuvering the Shiloh away from the dock
|  A quick "conference" with the Officer of the Deck and the Executive Officer.
|  The USS Boxer with a Harrier on deck.
|
 We cleared the pier, the USS Boxer and are starting to move forward.
|  The anchors are prepared so they could be deployed in case of an emergency while in the channel.
|  The deck got crowded at times
|  Coronado Bay Bridge in the distance
|
 The course is plotted
|  Spotters aim at landmarks noting the bearing ...
|  ... and announce them to the bridge ...
|  ... this is a continuous process to adjust the course as plotted ...
|
 ... while in the channel within the San Diego Bay ...
|  ... until we reach the open ocean
|  The radar shows our position and the forward looking obstacles ..
|  such as the Point Loma peninsula and North Island as well as any ships etc..
|
 The (near forward looking) OOD has command of the bridge, giving the Captain (In background) an opportunity to tend to other resposibilities.
|  This is the steering console where navigational commands are executed....
|  Communication devices on the Bridge.
|  Sitting in the Captain's chair
|
 XO on left CMC right foreground
|  |  Getting refreshed in the CPO mess ....
|  Gracie at the wheel of the Shiloh with her husband, the XO of the ship.
|
 I also had a photo op at the wheel.
|  In the Pilot house with the XO, the Captain and the CMC
|  I think these launch defensive countermeasures
|  De-icing window
|
 CIWS, the Close In Weapons System looks a little like R2D2 ....
|  ... but appears more serious ...
|  ... when looking at it close-up.
|  |
