Reply #21: On a warship, between Hawaii and San Diego... [View All]

[HawkerHurricane]

returning from a 6 month deployment overseas along with the rest of the Constellation battle group.

We had 'tigers' on board, civilians getting a week long taste of navy life.
Due to the time difference, it was very early morning when we found out. When we heard that a second plane had hit the second tower, we knew we were under attack... and some were predicting 10,000 dead. We were lucky, the towers were no where near full to capacity, and the evacuation got many people out.

We were not afraid, or in shock... we were angry. We wanted a target. Rumor said it was Saddam. I said that Saddam wasn't that stupid. At least one person told me we should nail him, just on principle. I wonder if he's still saying that. I do know he would not re-enlist.

There were rumors... we would return to Hawaii, drop off the 'tigers', and head back to the middle east. No. We would continue to San Diego, drop off the tigers, but stay out to sea. No.

In the end we returned to San Diego on schedule, pull in... but leaves were cancelled, and full watches were set. That was on September 15th.