Escorted by armed personnel as VIP guest aboard the USS ESSEX air craft carrier.

During the 1980's in New Zealand, the Government banned the US from sending ships into New Zealand waters. This was due to the fact that the US Government refused to neither confirm or deny that ships it sent into New Zealand's waters were nuclear powered. New Zealand needed to uphold it's image of being a clean and environmental friendly country, let alone how a nuclear disaster within the country could have an absolutely devastating effect of our isolated little country. It's now coming up to over 40 years since the last visit by any US war ship.

Several years ago, while living in Cairns, Australia, the US Essex made a visit. Fortunately my brother as head of security as the civilian liaison between the public and the military was permitted to allow friends and family to take a tour aboard the ship. It was a one time opportunity and we leaped at the chance to take a VIP tour of the ship.
During the entire tour we were escorted by armed guards, this is normal practice as at the time terrorist attacks were a real possibility. We were escorted on the tour by Sargent Joe and the armed Jack. Thank you to the crew of this amazing ship and especially Sargent Joe for being a wonderful host.
The following photos are my families day aboard this wonderful ship!

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