Ike Sailors Make Waves in the Arabian Sea
Story Number: NNS061130-16
Release Date: 11/30/2006 2:59:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew D. Leistikow, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs
USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) took a break in the Arabian Sea to participate in a swim call Nov. 28.
More than 1,850 Sailors leaped from Ike’s Elevator 3, 27 feet above the warm salt water and then swam to the aft stern dock. Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 5’s and Ike’s Search and Rescue (SAR) swimmers maintained a watchful eye and helpful hand in the water, while members of deck and engineering departments manned rigid hull inflatable boats.
“It was an opportunity for all hands to enjoy a unique experience that only fleet Sailors get a chance to do,” said Lt. William Edenbeck, Ike’s first lieutenant.
“I know I’ve done a couple of these before and in both cases, it was the most popular thing we did over the deployment,” said Capt. Dan Cloyd, Ike’s commanding officer. “People talked about it for years it seemed like, so when we had the opportunity to do it, we wanted to take that opportunity and let this great crew enjoy what may be a once in a lifetime experience.”
Sailors took turns by department to make the approximately 75-yard swim.
“The way back to stern is a lot longer than you think,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Ednidia Loaiza about her swim.
“We’re jumping off the ship; it’s a 27 foot drop. It’s pretty scary to jump off, but once you get there it feels good, and the water is really salty, but it’s a great swim. It feels really good, nice and warm,” said Hospital Corpsman Amy Clewis from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125.
Most Sailors agreed the jump into the water was the most exciting part.
“It’s like being on a roller coaster when you go down,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Bassam Seifeldein.
After he jumped, one Sailor said he felt exhilarated.
“Your adrenalin’s pumping, they tell you to jump and when you look back up you’re like, ‘Man I can’t believe I jumped that high!’” said Airman David Valentine.
The Sailors had a large part in deciding where they entered the water from, which was what Edenbeck said was the most challenging part.
“The majority of the crew wanted to jump, so that’s why we chose the elevator,” said Edenbeck.
Ike’s deployment is a first for many of her Sailors, so the swim call gave much of the crew a chance to do something they had never done before.
“I tried to do this on my first deployment, but we didn’t get a chance to do it,” said Seifeldein. “I really appreciate Eisenhower doing this. I was blessed to get this chance.”
Even Sailors who have been in the Navy for several years got their first chance to enjoy a swim call.
“It’s my first time,” said Chief Machinist’s Mate Frank Helbig, who’s been a Sailor for more than 21 years.
Edenbeck said Ike has been planning the swim call for quite some time.
“Particularly with the extended time at sea, it’s a good time to relax a little bit,” he said.
Ike departed its homeport of Norfolk, Va., Oct. 3, with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations (MSO). Ike and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 have been flying Operation Enduring Freedom missions over Afghanistan since Nov. 6.
