The Saipan Adventure!

July 2000

A message from Ensign Dave (Nick) Nichols

Here we go again, it's Med Cruise 2000.

We left the coast of North Carolina today loaded with over 2000 Marines. Looks like were ready to solve any problems that arise in the world today.

About 15 minutes after we got underway, I was summoned to the Flight Deck by the Commanding Officer, seems we were expecting some VIP's so the Captain wanted me to be there to answer any questions about work that was being completed onboard.

As we stood and waited he mentioned something I found a little strange, he said "Nick, remember back when you were on the John C Stennis? ", I said "sure Captain". He asked "didn't you have a special helper back then??" I said " I sure did, my best friend and long lost buddy Hartley from Grange School in Hartlepool England ".

We waited for the Helicopter to arrive and then sure enough all those visitors got off and we went down to the office for a meeting but I kept getting interrupted, the Air Boss (the person in charge of the flight deck) was calling my walkie-talkie over and over.

I headed up to the flight deck and low and behold guess who was there, hiding in the back on one of those helicopters???

That's right my old friend Hartley. It seems that Hartley had finished his mission with the secret service and they heard I needed my old friend back!

Looks like this deployment's off to a great start. And Hartley's adventures at sea begin again!

Click on each month (left) to see and hear what Hartley and Nick have been up to!