USNS William McLean Launches

Drive through San Diego and you will surely feel the city’s military presence. With a naval base, air force, coast guard and camp Pendleton all within driving distance of one another, one is never too far from one (or too far from hearing one). I live fairly close to the Miramar Air Force base and hear those jets all the time.

I got a rare opportunity to feel the patriotism that radiates around the naval base this week with the launch of a new replenishment ship. All of San Diego was invited to the event, but my family was treated to an up close and personal look at the ship moments before it entered the ocean for the very first time.

We stood just feet from the base of the ship as workers removed the last remnants of support before the ship was to slide into the bay. Sparks flew as the bases were removed and sounds of metal shavings echoed beneath the massive structure.

The ship itself was christened the William McLean as champagne was smashed against its side and a golden lever was pulled (which initiated the ship’s descent down a ramp that leaded to the Pacific.

What I didn’t expect was how quickly the ship actually slid down the ramp and into the sea. The entire trip probably took less than a minute. Myself and thousands of spectators watched as the McLean speedily receded from the location where it has spent the last two years being built.

The navy band played as streamers were released from the bow of the ship. And a great fireworks display marked the occasion as one to be remembered.

I really didn’t know what to expect from the ship launch. Leading up to the event, I did search Youtube for videos of other ship launches. When you see it online, you think, “once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.” In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by how much we were able to see into the process leading up to the launch. The experience far exceeded my expectations and I’d recommend that everyone attended at least one boat launch in their lifetime.

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