, the ubiquitous Iranian Revolutionary Guard speedboats with small arms and RPGs used to harass shipping.
Modern day pirates following centuries of tradition in this God-forsaken place. The vessels change shape, but the business stays the same, he thought.
From his perch at the end of the angled deck, Wilson saw Valley Forge’s bow cut into the Strait of Hormuz, the sea flaring out into a large wave that emanated from the hull and crashed over itself, leaving a frothy white blanket on the water as the ship sped past. He thought of how American Navy ships, and the waters they visited, had changed over the ages. The Navy’s mission, however, remained the same: prompt and sustained combat operations at sea.
Wilson went below to his stateroom. The first thing he looked at was his laptop. As he had hoped, a new e-mail, a long one from Mary, waited for him.
Dear James,
I miss you very, very much and so do Derrick and Brittany. When I heard about the crash the other day, I was just sick about it. Stephanie told me Bob was the pilot and is okay. I’m so glad he’s okay, but what happened? She said it was at night with rain and lightning. Why don’t you just stop when it’s bad outside? Can you advise the Skipper to stop flying? Bob’s girlfriend Meagan just flipped out — she comes across as this sweet-as-she-can-be sorority girl, but when Billie Lassiter called to tell her about the crash, she just blew up and snapped at Billie because Billie didn’t know the answers to all her questions. She wanted Bob to come home and when Billie said that was not going to happen, she went off about how dumb the Navy was and why is an aircraft carrier involved with a land war — a war she hates, etc. She called back to apologize to Billie the next day, saying she’s new to this and loves Bob so much. Billie is a saint, having to put up with this chick — who is not even a wife yet! I used to wish they had gotten married before the cruise, but now I’m not so sure. She said the pressure of him being gone one month is getting to her. I say she doesn’t know the half of it.
Wilson saw where this was going, and, with the AOM in twenty minutes, he knew better than to continue reading. Yet, he couldn’t help himself.
Sometimes I just don’t know why you go on these cruises. Isn’t it enough that you’ve already been on four cruises? And each one was a combat cruise, even before 9-11. I counted last week — in our nine years of marriage, you’ve been gone almost four years, counting the cruises, workups, and detachments. When you return in May, you’ll have been gone 20 of the last 36 months. Haven’t you — we — given enough to our country? I’m proud of you, James, and I know you are a good pilot and do a great job of teaching the new guys and keeping them out of trouble. You are now, and always will be, my hero! But does it always have to be you? Can’t someone else step up? Unless they do, all I can see is more of the same for years to come.
