It’s Fleet Week in Baltimore, and that means people can get a glimpse of life onboard the warship USS Fort Lauderdale.Watch the interviews and behind-the-scenes views in the video player aboveIn an exclusive look from the air and sea, 11 News takes you behind the scenes to speak with sailors who are happy to be home.With helmets on and life vest secured, it was onto the runway and into the air aboard a military helicopter to get a one-of-a-kind look at a real Navy ship.”This is actually my first Fleet Week, so I’m very excited,” Navy Lt. Katherine McAllister told 11 News. The view from the helicopter over the Patapsco River was breathtaking. While flying past the remnants of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge was sobering, landing on the flight deck of the USS Fort Lauderdale was exciting.”It’s pretty cool, actually. I never thought that I’d be in this position, but, you know, sometimes, when I’m standing watch up on the bridge kind of forward, we get to see a big view of the whole ocean, and it’s just very centering to realize I am doing this on my own and we’re here in the middle of the ocean,” McAllister told 11 News.The 684-foot warship based out of Norfolk, Virginia, can launch or land two helicopters, sail in excess of 24 knots and respond to disasters to provide emergency medical service.”I think, when you think of a surface warfare vessel, you think only of driving in the water, but we actually have lots of different missions, and one of them is landing aircraft,” McAllister told 11 News.Several sailors told 11 News they are looking forward to being back home, including Navy Ensign Charlie Marculewicz, of Severna Park, and McAllister, who’s looking forward to visiting the National Aquarium.”I’m definitely excited to be back in Maryland,” McAllister told 11 News. “I went to college for four years, and just seeing the sites that I’m familiar with is going to be a great time.”Navigating the ship is challenging as it has many doors and decks.”It’s easy to get lost the first couple of days you get on board,” Marculewicz told 11 News.The ship carries sailors and Marines, as well as equipment, like the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) that is pulled up inside the ship.”It’s a hovercraft that rides on a cushion of air. The LCAC drives right into the back of the ship. It’s a high-speed, highly maneuverable craft,” Gas Turbine Senior Chief Aaron Walker told 11 News.The LCAC is used to carry cargo and Marines from ship to shore.”(It’s the) best job in Navy,” Walker said.There’s also the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles that Marines use on missions around the world.”We’ve had them in Afghanistan, pretty much; Quantico, Virginia; Fort Pickett, Virginia; Bahrain; Japan,” Marine Gunnery Sgt. Esteban Ramirez told 11 News.Sailors and Marines saluted Fort McHenry as the warship made its way through the channel before taking in the Baltimore City skyline as they prepared to tour visitors around their home at sea.”It’s a fun life, definitely involves a lot of hard work and dedication to do what you do,” Marculewicz told 11 News.Fleet Week runs through Tuesday. For more information on a schedule of events, tap here.Raw video below: Go behind the scenes aboard the USS Fort Lauderdale
It’s Fleet Week in Baltimore, and that means people can get a glimpse of life onboard the warship USS Fort Lauderdale.
Watch the interviews and behind-the-scenes views in the video player above
In an exclusive look from the air and sea, 11 News takes you behind the scenes to speak with sailors who are happy to be home.
With helmets on and life vest secured, it was onto the runway and into the air aboard a military helicopter to get a one-of-a-kind look at a real Navy ship.
“This is actually my first Fleet Week, so I’m very excited,” Navy Lt. Katherine McAllister told 11 News.
The view from the helicopter over the Patapsco River was breathtaking. While flying past the remnants of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge was sobering, landing on the flight deck of the USS Fort Lauderdale was exciting.
“It’s pretty cool, actually. I never thought that I’d be in this position, but, you know, sometimes, when I’m standing watch up on the bridge kind of forward, we get to see a big view of the whole ocean, and it’s just very centering to realize I am doing this on my own and we’re here in the middle of the ocean,” McAllister told 11 News.
The 684-foot warship based out of Norfolk, Virginia, can launch or land two helicopters, sail in excess of 24 knots and respond to disasters to provide emergency medical service.
“I think, when you think of a surface warfare vessel, you think only of driving in the water, but we actually have lots of different missions, and one of them is landing aircraft,” McAllister told 11 News.
Several sailors told 11 News they are looking forward to being back home, including Navy Ensign Charlie Marculewicz, of Severna Park, and McAllister, who’s looking forward to visiting the National Aquarium.
“I’m definitely excited to be back in Maryland,” McAllister told 11 News. “I went to college for four years, and just seeing the sites that I’m familiar with is going to be a great time.”
Navigating the ship is challenging as it has many doors and decks.
“It’s easy to get lost the first couple of days you get on board,” Marculewicz told 11 News.
The ship carries sailors and Marines, as well as equipment, like the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) that is pulled up inside the ship.
“It’s a hovercraft that rides on a cushion of air. The LCAC drives right into the back of the ship. It’s a high-speed, highly maneuverable craft,” Gas Turbine Senior Chief Aaron Walker told 11 News.
The LCAC is used to carry cargo and Marines from ship to shore.
“(It’s the) best job in Navy,” Walker said.
There’s also the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles that Marines use on missions around the world.
“We’ve had them in Afghanistan, pretty much; Quantico, Virginia; Fort Pickett, Virginia; Bahrain; Japan,” Marine Gunnery Sgt. Esteban Ramirez told 11 News.
Sailors and Marines saluted Fort McHenry as the warship made its way through the channel before taking in the Baltimore City skyline as they prepared to tour visitors around their home at sea.
“It’s a fun life, definitely involves a lot of hard work and dedication to do what you do,” Marculewicz told 11 News.
Fleet Week runs through Tuesday. For more information on a schedule of events, tap here.
Raw video below: Go behind the scenes aboard the USS Fort Lauderdale
