Noah and the ARKcraft carrier

The title apparently shows Noah's obsession with the ark, notwithstanding the obvious difference between the original...

and the one in this story

George H.W. Bush, CVN77 is the most recent nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the arsenal of the US Navy. For an ordinary and unheard of Noah from a third world country, stepping on the deck of this formidable floating airport is unheard of. But noboody can tell when destiny will smile on you, because on the fateful day of October 15, 2016 Noah, with his heart pounding wildly, gingerly climbed the steps to America's primary monument of naval power.

Noah's lucky day on the aircraft carrier started more than a month earlier when he was informed by a nephew in the navy that he was in the shortlist of invitees to the Navy Day activities aboard the GHWBush. Noah who was vacationing in California also got a free round trip passage to the east coast courtesy of the same generous nephew. In a few days Noah would also receive some papers that he had to fill up for the Navy officials to scrutinize and double check on his identity and background. A single iota of doubt about Noah could prevent him from boarding.

D-day comes and Noah is up before 4:00, because the long queue for inspecting all guests starts then. Imagine 2,000 invitees multiplied by the time that it will take to inspect each one, so it is only wise to come earliest.

Before the sun is up Noah and kin are on the flight deck as the GHWBush began maneuvers to undock and sail out of the Chesapeake bay for the three-hour trip to the Atlantic ocean where the air show could take place without bothering civilian air traffic in the nearby airports. She would be going at a speed of 30 knots and for a ship this huge she was amazingly agile.

It was about 15 degrees celsius, but the temperature would drop to about 10 degrees as the ship went farther from land.

 at the bridge of the ship. you will note 
that they even had bleachers on the deck
for the visitors. you don't get that close
to the planes even in regular airports.

 a machine gun nest at one of the the corners of the

bow of the ship

the cavernous airplane hangar was converted

into a dining hall, playground and audiovisual hall.

 one of the many mess halls for the 5,000 sailors. they

had starbucks on board. In the hangar a few floors 
above the mess hall, they were constantly serving the guests
 coffee and snacks aside from the breakfast and lunch.

they have a good-sized jail and Noah had to 

have his photo taken in a penitent position.

that's the elevator that brings the planes to

and from the hangar. the crowd wasn't expecting

the deck to move yet and it caught them unaware.

There were 4 fighter jets

that kept the adrenaline flowing for the crowd.

fighter jets zooming past just a few meters away.

the earplugs that they distributed offered some

protection from the noise and yet the full blast of

the afterburners could be felt. 

 The sun dips into the Virginia horizon 

as Noah steps off the gangplank after
a full day of activities out at sea. 

adios GHW Bush and thanks for

giving Noah the chance of a lifetime.

thanks to this kiddo too. your gesture

of love to papa sunni will be etched

forever in his heart.

what's in your mind now Noah?