What do a Congresswoman, an Astronaut, an Actress, and a Photographer all have in common?
Stay tuned, and I'll tell you...
On Thursday, November 29, I received an email asking me if I was available to embark aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier on December 7-8, to document F-35C Carrier Qualifications (CQ). Wow, but I had to check with Rylan and my new boss at Sky Harbor. I had only been with the company for a month, and I had already missed a little over a week for our trip to Ireland. Rylan said, "Do whatever it takes." My new boss said, "You just owe me one photo." I figured I could accomplish both with one swing, and I replied for the embark stating that I was available.
The schedule would be to depart San Diego, California aboard the USS Carl Vinson, and sail out into the Pacific, taking a cat shot the next day to return back to North Island. We embarked the USS Carl Vinson pierside at North Island on December 7th, but the ship needed a new Flux Capacitor (or something) and wouldn't be getting underway until that afternoon. So, we were kicked off the ship, there wouldn't be any F-35C operations that day anyway. Instead, we were offered a C-2A flight out to the ship the next day, with our overnight embark starting thereafter. The four of us all said, "Oh. Hell. Yeah!"
Anyway, I have now logged two traps and two cat shots aboard US Navy aircraft carriers. Both are amazing experiences, while very, very different. If you are ever offered the opportunity to embark aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier, don't hesitate, just take it and make the time frame work!
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) "Argonauts"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226501347-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p705702637/ec05080e3)
Cool story Matt... An opportunity not to be passed up. Well done...
Quote from: Anna M. Wood on December 11, 2018, 11:34:09 PM
Cool story Matt... An opportunity not to be passed up. Well done...
Thanks Anna!
We had photography restrictions in place when shooting the F-35C. There were no head-on, tail-on, from above, and no closeup, detailed photos from below. This meant we couldn't visit the Captain's Bridge, Flag Bridge, Pri-Fly, and no photography from Vulture's Row. The only place we were allowed to take photos from was the Flight Deck, and we had to have the ship's Safety Officer with us, as our escort, during flight operations. This fact alone limited our time on the flight deck, but I'll get into that a bit later. These restrictions also meant that the ship's PAO had to do a Quality Control check of all of our photos before we disembarked. A few photos were lost during the QC check.
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) "Argonauts"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226499461-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p705702637/ec0507985)
It wasn't all F-35Cs out on the USS Carl Vinson working on CQs. There were just over a dozen aircraft and the pilots were wearing all sorts of different squadron patches. It was actually kinda cool, these aircraft were from the squadrons that we typically see out at NAF El Centro.
Boeing EA-18G Growler
Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) "Vikings"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226499464-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p705702637/ec0507988)
It also wasn't all Navy aircraft that were working on CQs. This was my first time seeing a Legacy Hornet on a carrier.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) "Sharpshooters"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226841665-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p1009573308/ec055b241)
We were allowed two visits to the Flight Deck. The first one was early afternoon, shortly after we arrived.
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) "Argonauts"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226500278-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p705702637/ec0507cb6)
Boeing EA-18G Growler
Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) "Vikings"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3235275430-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p705702637/ec0d662a6)
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) "Sharpshooters"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226499449-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p1009573308/ec0507979)
Our second Flight Deck visit was the next morning, for sunrise. There wasn't any movement, but we had our run of the place for almost an hour, and it offered some incredible, ever-changing light.
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) "Argonauts"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226841673-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p705702637/ec055b249)
Boeing EA-18G Growler
Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) "Vikings"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226500803-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p705702637/ec0507ec3)
Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122) "Flying Eagles"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226501175-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/p705702637/ec0508037)
Great shots Matt looks like is was a ton of fun!!
Quote from: Chris V on December 19, 2018, 11:15:11 AM
Great shots Matt looks like is was a ton of fun!!
Thank you, and it was a ton of fun!
Most excellent, Matt.
Did I miss where you tell us who the astronaut, actress and congress critter were?
S.C.
Quote from: scottcolbath on December 20, 2018, 10:14:02 AM
Most excellent, Matt.
Did I miss where you tell us who the astronaut, actress and congress critter were?
S.C.
Thank you, Scott!
No, I haven't revealed the answer yet.
What a great bucket list adventure Matt, wonderful shots!
Quote from: Tower Guy on December 20, 2018, 08:54:57 PM
What a great bucket list adventure Matt, wonderful shots!
Thanks Harvey, it was an awesome adventure!
Merry Christmas Eve, I hope that everybody is having an awesome Holiday Season!
Here's another one from my recent visit to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). I'm going to try and get online tomorrow to answer the question on everyone's mind, "What do a Congresswoman, an Astronaut, an Actress, and a Photographer all have in common?"
Anyway, here's tonight's photo:
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) "Argonauts"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226500473-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/usscarlvinson/ec0507d79)
So, what do a Congresswoman, an Astronaut, an Actress, and a Photographer all have in common?
Not really anything at all, other than we shared a D/V Embark to the USS Carl Vinson together. When we had to reschedule our embark to the next day, we ended up joining another group of D/Vs. This other group included Gabby Giffords, Captain Mark Kelly, Olivia Munn, and their entourage. There was definitely a buzz aboard the ship because of this group of D/Vs, but I think it was mostly because of Olivia Munn.
Bolter
Boeing EA-18G Growler
Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) "Vikings"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3228524674-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/usscarlvinson/ec06f6082)
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) "Argonauts"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3231376514-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/usscarlvinson/ec09ae482)
Quote from: Matt Ottosen on December 25, 2018, 02:11:38 PM
So, what do a Congresswoman, an Astronaut, an Actress, and a Photographer all have in common?
Not really anything at all, other than we shared a D/V Embark to the USS Carl Vinson together. When we had to reschedule our embark to the next day, we ended up joining another group of D/Vs. This other group included Gabby Giffords, Captain Mark Kelly, Olivia Munn, and their entourage. There was definitely a buzz aboard the ship because of this group of D/Vs, but I think it was mostly because of Olivia Munn.
I wouldn't know Olivia Munn if I tripped over her. Did you get to meet any of the VIPs?
S.C.
Quote from: scottcolbath on December 29, 2018, 11:04:46 AM
I wouldn't know Olivia Munn if I tripped over her. Did you get to meet any of the VIPs?
S.C.
I had never heard of her and had no idea who she was, it was Wikipedia that introduced me to who she is.
Gabby Giffords came over and introduced herself to us, but Captain Mark Kelly, Olivia Munn, and their entourage kept to themselves.
Here it is, the O-Photo Blog on my recent embark to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), if you're interested in reading it.
https://www.ottosenphotography.com/blog/2018/12/uss-carl-vinson-cvn-70
Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23) "Wildcards"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226502324-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/usscarlvinson/ec05084b4)
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226499451-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/usscarlvinson/ec050797b)
There were four photographers invited by the CNAF PAO for this embark, and they were an awesome group to be a part of. The one photographer that isn't in any of the photos is Katsuhiko "Katsu" Tokunaga, as he refused having his photo taken. But, it was an honor to finally be able to meet the infamous Katsu, and be part of this embark with him.
Myself with Michael "Mike" Heilman
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3244783898-5.jpg)
Myself with Susumu "Toksans" Tokunaga and Michael "Mike" Heilman
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3244783902-5.jpg)
"The COD Father"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3247137604-5.jpg)
Really enjoying your posts about your embark Matt. What a cool trip. You got some awesome images.
Quote from: Anna M. Wood on January 06, 2019, 07:17:29 PM
Really enjoying your posts about your embark Matt. What a cool trip. You got some awesome images.
Thank you, Anna!
Fantastic posts and one helluva great experience, Matt! Thanks so much for sharing!
Quote from: Brian Corbett on January 08, 2019, 01:54:52 PM
Fantastic posts and one helluva great experience, Matt! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Brian, and you're right, it was one helluva great experience!
This embark was mainly about capturing VFA-147 doing the work to obtain their Carrier Qualifications (CQ). So, here is one more of the Argonauts working hard to get another pilot his CQ. Within the next few days, the entire squadron would obtain their CQ, and get one step closer to Initial Operational Capability (IOC).
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II
Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) "Argonauts"
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3226500547-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/usscarlvinson/ec0507dc3)
Here's a few more from this amazing embark.
I have been on the fence about these three for quite some time, but I have decided it's finally time to release them.
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3362037230-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/usscarlvinson/ec8649dee)
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3362037185-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/usscarlvinson/ec8649dc1)
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p3362037305-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/usscarlvinson/ec8649e39)
These are great shots.
On July 6, 2023, I was able to take part in a 24-hour, Distinguished Visitor (DV)/media embark aboard the US Navy aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). I boarded the ship pierside in San Diego at Naval Air Station North Island, and flew off the next day onboard a Bell/Boeing CMV-22B Osprey. I was able to see much of the ship, and also spend many hours taking photos on their active flight deck. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget!
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p1939693644-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e739d604c)
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p2083183219-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e7c2ada73)
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p2047784279-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e7a0eb557)
Here's a few more from that afternoon.
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p2131425838-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e7f0afa2e)
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p1887438832-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e708007f0)
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p2475947610-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e9393f65a)
Like being on the white line of death at El Centro.... :D
Quote from: Anna M. Wood on May 09, 2024, 10:39:06 PMLike being on the white line of death at El Centro.... :D
Yes, but with steam and while wearing a float coat, cranial, and goggles.
Here are some photos that were taken inside:
From the Bridge
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p2025499341-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e78baaacd)
Level 03 (at night)
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p2098771204-3.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e7d18b504)
Forecastle
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p2042537007-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e79bea42f)
Here's a couple of videos from this embark.
A few embark and sailing out of San Diego photos. Over the past few years, I have embraced my cellphone as a true backup imaging device.
CVN 70 Lookin' Good as we get Ready to Embark
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p1979930077-5.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e760355dd)
The Red Padeye
Operation Neptune Spear was "a kill-or-capture" mission for Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks. After the mission, the body of Osama bin Laden was flown to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in a V-22 Osprey escorted by two US Navy F/A-18s. The padeye, that was closest to where the Osprey landed on the flight deck, was later painted red as a reminder of the USS Carl Vinson's role that night in what was a historic mission.
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p1920470997-4.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e72780fd5)
Haze Gray and Underway
(https://www.ottosenphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p1915956508-5.jpg) (https://www.ottosenphotography.com/americasfavoritecarrier/e72332d1c)