Really, in all our military branches, is there anything more awe inspiring and impressive than a carrier battle group?

2015-08-08T23:46:05-04:00

Every one of us - Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard - has his or her built-in biases for and pride in the service in which they served. I started out in the Navy, went to Nam on the USS MIDWAY, and also served on two old Tin Cans. Then, I served in the Army Reserves. Finally, I transferred to the USCG Reserves, spent twenty great years, and retired in 2002. I've seen military training movies on Army tank battalions, Air Force bomber squadrons, Marine Expeditionary Forces, Coast Guard surfboats in action, and the Navy Blue Angels. I love them all. However, I'm asking each of you, seriously, can this really be topped for the most massive display of strength and military presence? It gives me goosebumps!!!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 8 at 2015 11:49 PM

2015-08-08T23:49:15-04:00

They are definitely awesome.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2015 11:53 PM

2015-08-08T23:53:30-04:00

My mighty Abrams is pretty darn awe inspiring though as well!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2015 11:53 PM

2015-08-08T23:53:31-04:00

My mighty Abrams is pretty darn awe inspiring though as well!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2015 11:53 PM

2015-08-08T23:53:31-04:00

My mighty Abrams is pretty darn awe inspiring though as well!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2015 11:56 PM

2015-08-08T23:56:41-04:00

One helluva sight...makes me fell safe and secure, and also warm and fuzzy. lol:)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2015 11:56 PM

2015-08-08T23:56:56-04:00

You don't need to convince me! I think the Navy has the coolest hardware! I am a proud member of the Navy League and a Naval Sea Cadet adult leader. I always have liked Navy Ships. Although I've never officially served in the Navy; I probably spent more time at sea than many Navy Reserve members; as a college instructor teaching courses on board for the sailors; as a Sea Cadet and a Sea Cadet adult leader! I loved every minute of it! I admire the hard working sailors aboard those vessels!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 12:06 AM

2015-08-09T00:06:00-04:00

A bunch of Paladins sending artillery rounds out

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 9 at 2015 12:15 AM

2015-08-09T00:15:48-04:00

It is very inspiring indeed but the sight and sound of CAS (fixed and rotary wing) when needed is a great feeling as well, especially when you're on the ground.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 12:16 AM

2015-08-09T00:16:54-04:00

Yes, there is. It is called a MASSTAC. A mass tac is when huge element of paratroopers jump into an area. It could be as large as a Battalion or more. I lost track of how many planes this jump took. But it looks like it was about 20 C-130s all loaded with paratroopers. They can go anywhere in the world and drop off a bunch of killers in your back yard.

Mass Tac Jump

AIRBORNE!!!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 9 at 2015 12:25 AM

2015-08-09T00:25:16-04:00

How about a B-52 dropping bombs?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 7:43 AM

2015-08-09T07:43:42-04:00

I would like to say a huge flight of Chinooks departing and airfield beats it, or perhaps the shuttle launching?!?! However, I have to be true to my Navy roots on this topic. SCPO Private RallyPoint Member you are absolutely right, there is nothing more awe inspiring! For my fellow RallyPointers, if you have not seen such a thing you are missing out, if you ever get the chance take it.

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 9:10 AM

2015-08-09T09:10:50-04:00

In a word - no. I love aircraft carriers and their supporting warships, and the officers and Sailors that man them.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Aug 9 at 2015 12:31 PM

2015-08-09T12:31:58-04:00

Yes. The most awe inspiring thing is a young 18 year old Marine so full of love for his brothers that he charges into the fire to be with them as they face death together.
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our [own] dead."

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Aug 9 at 2015 5:10 PM

2015-08-09T17:10:31-04:00

I don't remember who was president at the time but when the shit hit the fan, his first question was:WHERE ARE THE CARRIERS. Says it all. VERY impressive show of power. Although I hear Kruchef (Russia) pooed his pants when he looked up and saw the bomb doors open on a B-52.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 9 at 2015 7:09 PM

2015-08-09T19:09:55-04:00

awesome looking!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 9:04 PM

2015-08-09T21:04:11-04:00

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member having not been deployed as of yet but spending four years in a infantry unit and going on field training the best thing I've seen was 2012 we were doing rotaton for live fires the range was large enough for all weapon sizes and the movement started I was in one of the trucks as the rto and got to see asv's moving up firing and platoon elements behind and beside and mortars moving and setting up firing points as well as sniper team in the back of a truck actually doing shots at targets and the fisters calling for heavy mortar artillery and cas (both fixed and rotary at the same time enjoyed every second of it even though I coudlnt hear for about an hour after.

Forgot to put in ear pro and the a.c. in truck didn't work so we had Windows open

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 1:52 AM

2015-08-10T01:52:16-04:00

As far as a show of force goes and the fear/respect it commands I think not.

Having 4 and a half acres of sovereign US territory that can be delivered anywhere in the world (that has water) is pretty darn awesome.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2012/07/17/why-does-the-united-states-only-have-eleven-aircraft-carriers/

Response by SFC Joseph James made Aug 10 at 2015 7:45 AM

2015-08-10T07:45:31-04:00

Yes ask any woman who has dated me. Awe indeed! Ok joking aside. A-10 Warthog coming in a BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 11 at 2015 6:13 PM

2015-08-11T18:13:05-04:00

Did the aircraft carrier win?

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Oct 21 at 2015 9:30 PM

2015-10-21T21:30:57-04:00

Being aft on the flight deck when the fighters (f4s,f14s,f8s I have seen them all) start moving toward the the cats still sends cold chills down my back

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 21 at 2015 9:37 PM

2015-10-21T21:37:02-04:00

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member An Infantry Company demonstrating a "mad minute" of it's fire power, with all weapons blazing is no small spectacle! 11B!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 3:21 PM

2015-10-22T15:21:27-04:00

Having seen a broad array of inspiring weaponry used in Iraq and Afghanistan - I will still concur with you SCPO Private RallyPoint Member that the battle group stands alone as the vision you don't want to see in your AOR if you're an enemy of the USA.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 18 at 2015 1:37 PM

2015-11-18T13:37:41-05:00

Rule the seas by the bow of ships!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 18 at 2015 6:42 PM

2015-11-18T18:42:34-05:00

That is a beautiful sight of a mobile power projection platform.

Response by SFC Kenneth Highland made Nov 18 at 2015 6:46 PM

2015-11-18T18:46:13-05:00

THERE ARE MARINES ON THOSE "BOATS" TOO. 4.3 ACRES SOVEREIGN U.S. TERRITORY

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2015 6:09 AM

2015-11-21T06:09:11-05:00

Any AIRBORNE unit.