NJROTC Cadets Experience Fleet Week

Twenty-one NJROTC Cadets led by their new Executive Officer, Cadet Lt. William Spedale, got a chance to experience a US Navy ship, the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3). Navy ships docked at the Port of New Orleans joined the city for Tricentennial celebrations, highlighting the city’s long maritime history. Sailors and Marines from Expeditionary Strike Group TWO provided tours for our Cadets to teach them the more practical aspects of their jobs. The tour started on the flight deck where a V-22 Osprey aircraft started the tour. Cadets climbed aboard the aircraft and sat in the cabin as the pilots talked flying with Cmdr. Nolan in the cockpit.  

Cadets then moved over to learn about the two aircraft that their Senior Naval Science Instructor flew in the Navy.  The MH-60S Seahawk crew gave a tour explaining the mission areas and what it is like to fly and operate the small cargo/combat helicopter.  Cmdr. Nolan recognized one of the crewmen as his former crew member and the two caught up as Cadets learned about flying. Cadets got a surprise view of an episode of NCIS: New Orleans being filmed on the flight deck.  They moved over to the CH-53E Sea Stallion, the US military’s largest helicopter, and the other aircraft Cmdr. Nolan flew, to receive a tour.

In the “well deck,” a display of various Marine Corps weaponry and vehicles caught the attention of the group.  Cadets climbed aboard an armored Humvee, Light Armored Vehicle, and Medium Tactical Vehicle. Cadets were exposed to the variety of weapons used by the Marines, including the Howitzer cannon, 50 caliber crew served weapon, M-240 automatic rifle and the M4 rifle with grenade launcher.  While no ammunition was used, Cadets were able to feel the weight and balance of an actual combat equipment. The tour concluded with the Landing Craft Air Cushioned vehicles which can carry 60 tons of combat vehicles or cargo more than 200 miles over water or sand.

Cadets reinforced the lessons learned in class with practical experience and the chance to meet actual Sailors and Marines. They took away a better understanding of the realities of the missions of the military, as well as the training, and expertise that goes into our fighting force.

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