Underway Training

30 July, 2010 - We spent the last week underway conducting various training events off the coast of Virginia.  We had a couple of assessment teams aboard as well as 22 Midshipmen on summer cruise and four prospective Commanding Officers from the Surface Warfare School in Newport, RI.

Conducting Underway Replenishment with USNS ARCTIC

It was a full week and I know everyone kept busy.  We had a break from the recent summertime temperatures and were able to spend some time on-deck.

Sailors cleaning the decks topside

Damage Control Drills

Flight Quarters

Sunset at Sea

Special Visit

Tim Allen - Last week we had the opportunity to give a tour to Mr. Tim Allen and several of his family members.  It was a great opportunity to talk about STOUT and also for the crew to meet Mr. Allen.

Tim Allen on the Bridge explaining how to get a few extra knots out of the main engines

There were several opportunities for autographs and to ask questions.  We wera able to tour the foc'sle, including the five inch gun and the VLS Launcher, the AEGIS Radar platform, the bridge, the wardroom, one of the main engine rooms, the mess decks, contral control station, the flight deck and the quarterdeck.  During the tour Mr. Allen was very engaged and had several suggestions on how we could tweak our systems to improve performance. 

Tim Allen taping an interview for AFN

Little more than an hour after he arrived it was time to wrap up the tour and get back to the dialy routine.   Several members of the crew were able to get a souvineer picture, ask a few questions or discuss one of the sceens in their favorite Tim Allen movie. 

Tim Allen with Petty Officer Spivey

Admiral Stout's Birthday

16 June, 2010 - It was a special treat to welcome aboard two of Admiral Stout’s sons, Hal and Pete Stout, and their some of their family members. 15 June is Admiral Stout’s birthday and we held a belated birthday party for him today. Born on 15 June 1903, in Dover Ohio, he would have been 107 years old. We had cake and ice cream on the mess decks to celebrate. Hal also volunteered to speak to the crew about Admiral Stout and some of his adventures.

Hal Addressing the crew

Hal and Pete Cutting the cake

Hal told us about the values Admiral Stout tried to live up to every day; Honesty, Compassion and Curiosity. It was great to hear first hand stories about the ship’s namesake, especially from someone like Hal. After cutting the cake on the mess decks both Pete and Hal, as well as their spouses, were able to talk with the crew and answer questions. At one point I asked them both how often they saw their father during World War II. In total Admiral Stout was home for about two weeks during the entire war. It is hard to imagine that kind of commitment, but that is what countless WWII veterans did to win the war. It made me very grateful for the sacrifices of those who endured those times.

Interacting with the Crew (note Admiral Stout's portrait in the background)

The visit helped the crew see Rear Admiral Stout in the eyes of his family instead of just through the inspiring stories portraied in the history books. We hope to have the Stout brothers back again soon; it was a delight having them onboard.