WEBVTT 00:00.570 --> 00:05.140 (instrumental holiday music) 00:05.140 --> 00:08.890 (ice cracking and exploding) 00:11.700 --> 00:13.870 - Alright, XO, I called you in office 00:13.870 --> 00:16.261 your last day on board Mighty Warship Gerald R. Ford. 00:16.261 --> 00:19.260 But I just wanted to have one last sea story with you, 00:19.260 --> 00:21.248 to share with you before you went to San Antonio. 00:21.248 --> 00:23.000 So, before we do that though, 00:23.000 --> 00:24.450 it's gonna be Christmas based. 00:24.450 --> 00:25.860 I think we should get more festive. 00:25.860 --> 00:27.859 So, I know you brought some stuff to make that happen. 00:27.859 --> 00:28.692 - Yes sir. 00:28.692 --> 00:30.792 So let's, uh, let's dawn our festive gear. 00:31.913 --> 00:35.514 Here, I got this, that's for you right there. 00:35.514 --> 00:38.238 - Oh, awesome, for me. - Okay, got that. 00:38.238 --> 00:40.262 I would have you sit in my lap for the story, 00:40.262 --> 00:41.843 but that'd be just kinda weird. 00:41.843 --> 00:42.720 - Yes sir. (laughs) 00:42.720 --> 00:45.290 - So we'll, we'll hold off on that. (laughs) 00:45.290 --> 00:50.290 Alright, so, a Christmas story for Gerald R. Ford. 00:50.600 --> 00:51.433 You ready? 00:51.433 --> 00:52.266 - Yes sir, excited. 00:52.266 --> 00:54.640 - Can we please get some milk and cookies for the XO? 00:54.640 --> 00:56.287 The XO, take care of that please. 00:56.287 --> 00:58.517 Pickles the Elf, you ready to go? 00:58.517 --> 01:00.785 Okay. (laughs) - Hey Pickles. 01:00.785 --> 01:02.653 - Twas the night before Christmas, 01:02.653 --> 01:04.314 aboard warship seven eight. 01:04.314 --> 01:07.367 The first of the Ford class and the largest CVN to date. 01:07.367 --> 01:09.964 Boot socks were hung in the berthings with care, 01:09.964 --> 01:12.314 in hopes that Saint Nick soon would be there. 01:12.314 --> 01:13.368 - Santa! 01:13.368 --> 01:15.624 - Sailors were nestled all snug in their beds, 01:15.624 --> 01:18.945 while carrier air wings flew patterns in their heads. 01:18.945 --> 01:20.040 - Love the jets. 01:20.040 --> 01:22.404 - XO in his jammies, and I in my flight suit, 01:22.404 --> 01:25.404 had just settled in for a brief evening snooze. 01:25.404 --> 01:28.729 When out to our stern there arose such a clatter, 01:28.729 --> 01:31.934 I sprang from my bunk to see what was the matter. 01:31.934 --> 01:34.855 With no flight op scheduled, I thought what the heck? 01:34.855 --> 01:35.990 - Who is it? 01:35.990 --> 01:38.320 - What is going on out there on our flight deck? 01:38.320 --> 01:40.371 Away to the bridge I climb like a flash 01:40.371 --> 01:43.350 to look and see what made that crash. 01:43.350 --> 01:46.418 The big seven eight shown off the new fallen snow, 01:46.418 --> 01:49.544 providing the light you need to see what lay below. 01:49.544 --> 01:52.547 When what to my wondering eyes should appear, 01:52.547 --> 01:56.708 but a non-military aircraft led my eight tiny reindeer. 01:56.708 --> 01:57.541 - Rudolph? 01:57.541 --> 01:59.130 - It wasn't a helicopter. It was a helicopter. 01:59.130 --> 02:00.010 No, I'm just kidding. 02:00.010 --> 02:02.497 The optical landing system had guided them in. 02:02.497 --> 02:05.583 The DBR blip read Santa, I knew it was him. 02:05.583 --> 02:09.604 Another successful trap with advanced arresting gear 02:09.604 --> 02:13.617 that makes 748 landings to start the new year. 02:13.617 --> 02:16.739 His flight suit was red from shoulder to foot, 02:16.739 --> 02:20.730 lined with white fur and two spit-shined boots. 02:20.730 --> 02:21.610 Doesn't rhyme. 02:21.610 --> 02:23.330 I'll talk to PAO about this. (laughs) 02:23.330 --> 02:26.020 He had a broad face and a round little belly, 02:26.020 --> 02:28.298 he looked like he knows his way to the galley. 02:28.298 --> 02:29.420 - Santa! 02:29.420 --> 02:30.880 - His eyes, how they twinkled, 02:30.880 --> 02:32.599 like bomb blasts through flare. 02:32.599 --> 02:36.045 I couldn't believe mine own eyes, Santa Clause is here. 02:36.045 --> 02:39.330 He grabbed a giant bag and slung it over his back, 02:39.330 --> 02:42.581 how many care packages could he fit in that sack? 02:42.581 --> 02:44.030 - What'd we get, what do we get? 02:44.030 --> 02:46.470 - Video games, movies, books, and bags of candy. 02:46.470 --> 02:49.229 I wonder if that bag has an A.W.E.? 02:49.229 --> 02:51.946 That doesn't rhyme either, that's okay. 02:51.946 --> 02:53.039 - (laughs) Those are elevators. 02:53.039 --> 02:54.013 - Those are elevators, yes. 02:54.013 --> 02:56.670 Up and down ladder wells, forward and back, 02:56.670 --> 02:58.884 he tired himself carrying that big heavy sack. 02:58.884 --> 03:01.924 He took a break in the ready room before getting on his way, 03:01.924 --> 03:04.767 his schedule was tight with many stories left that day. 03:04.767 --> 03:07.568 He suited back up and walked out the door. 03:07.568 --> 03:10.937 Un-chalked his sleigh and lined up on CAD four. 03:10.937 --> 03:13.775 After his line up check, he turned to look back, 03:13.775 --> 03:16.535 he gave a salute, then flew down the track. 03:16.535 --> 03:20.020 For many miles he launched, and I heard him elate, 03:20.020 --> 03:23.117 Merry Christmas to all, aboard the mighty warship, 03:23.117 --> 03:25.147 seven eight. - Seven eight. 03:25.147 --> 03:25.980 Woo! 03:27.850 --> 03:28.878 - XO, hey, good luck to your next tour. 03:28.878 --> 03:31.500 Thanks for all hard work, your spirit and enthusiasm 03:31.500 --> 03:32.890 aboard Mighty Warship Gerald R. Ford. 03:32.890 --> 03:33.980 - Skipper I just wanted to say sir, 03:33.980 --> 03:35.120 it's been a privilege and an honor 03:35.120 --> 03:37.674 to serve with you and our team on board G.R.F. 03:37.674 --> 03:40.959 Just happy holidays to all of our sailors 03:40.959 --> 03:42.626 and their families and friends, 03:42.626 --> 03:45.466 and may have a happy and festive holiday season. 03:45.466 --> 03:48.142 And I'm gonna to miss being on board with the team. 03:48.142 --> 03:49.927 - Same XO, real quick, 03:49.927 --> 03:51.693 take one more bite of that, if you could, 03:51.693 --> 03:52.920 just make sure that it's still good. 03:52.920 --> 03:54.650 - Y-Yes sir, you said it's two weeks, sir? 03:54.650 --> 03:56.079 - Two weeks old. - Okay. 03:56.079 --> 03:57.905 - Okay, get medical ready. 03:57.905 --> 03:59.403 - It's still delicious, sir. 03:59.403 --> 04:01.877 - Alright, for the team, happy holidays, 04:01.877 --> 04:04.298 have a safe trip, wherever your travels take you on leave. 04:04.298 --> 04:06.732 Come back safe and sound after your holiday leave period. 04:06.732 --> 04:08.590 Let's get back to work 'cause next year 04:08.590 --> 04:10.460 we're getting this mighty warship to sea, 04:10.460 --> 04:11.490 and that's gonna happen. 04:11.490 --> 04:12.400 - 'Cause we are, 04:12.400 --> 04:13.300 - We are warship, 04:13.300 --> 04:14.133 - Seven eight. 04:14.133 --> 04:15.242 - Roger that, we planned that, that's nice. 04:15.242 --> 04:16.075 - (laughs) 04:16.075 --> 04:17.754 - Alright happy holidays. 04:17.754 --> 04:21.504 (instrumental holiday music)