AK 239: The Enemy Is Already Here

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

North Pacific Ocean

^{Christmas Morning}

Everyone on the bridge of this massive aircraft carrier is in a celebrative mood, after all, it’s Christmas!

The Helmsmen, a Petty Officer and Quartermaster of the watch all have on Christmas Santa hats as they go about their duties on this dull, cloudy Christmas morning in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean.

Suddenly, bursting onto the bridge is Santa in a full red and white costume. Santa is carrying a big bag of goodies.

“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!” says Santa as all on the bridge smile and clap.

Santa proceeds to hand out beautifully wrapped presents to all on duty.

Santa is Rear Admiral Robert Baker and this is his last official deployment before retirement. He is in charge of all U.S. Naval Fleets and, only by chance, happens to be on this ship.

On this day a cruiser, two destroyers, a frigate and a supply ship surround the carrier as they steam into the Gulf of Alaska.

The OOD (Officer of the Deck), James McMillan, exclaims, “Santa, you’ve wrapped the presents so nicely.”

The admiral replies, “Oh trust me, Santa had to have a little help from some of his elves.”

Two “elves” now enter the bridge. One is a very pretty young female elf. The other a not so pretty male elf, who looks embarrassed to be there.

James says, “Wow! Eye Candy and Godzilla.”

Admiral Baker, “Ya, it’s a bigger horror show in the officers’ mess. Garland, ribbons and colored paper are everywhere! Looks like Santa stepped on an IED!”

On any day, only eleven officers in the entire U.S. Navy have the honor of commanding a 5,000-sailor aircraft carrier and Admiral Baker is in charge of those eleven officers, at least for a few more weeks.

Admiral Baker, “So where’s your captain?”

James Norton and the other officers become very quiet and look at each other.

Norton nervously says, “He’s in the war room, sir.”

Admiral Baker is stunned, “On Christmas Day?”

The admiral heads for the door when he meets the captain of the ship, George Murray. Admiral Baker exclaims, “George, where ya been?”

It’s clear George is not into the festivities as he is the only person on the bridge without a speck of holiday clothing! George is a serious man who takes his job very seriously.

“Could I speak with you privately, admiral?”

Admiral Baker jokingly looks around at all the others, “All right, Christmas is over. Scrooge is on deck!” The admiral then warmly puts his arm on the captain’s shoulder and shows him the way off the bridge saying, “After you, captain.”

As the two step off the bridge they are alone. Captain Murray then pulls up the AOAIA charts from the USS Alaska saying, “I think this is a new class of Russian sub. Look, this signature is clearly not one of ours and looks to have been regularly going under Arctic ice to Alaska for as far back as I have pulled data.”

Admiral Baker is taking this very seriously as he looks over the AOAIA data.

“Well, this is why we’re steaming to Alaska on Christmas Day, George. I just hope your wrong.” Just then an off duty officer rounds the corner looking like he’s had something to drink. He exclaims,

“Merry Christmas!”

The officer sees his two bosses do not react as they are overtaken by the possible severity of this situation.

The officer quickly wipes the stupid grin off his face and attempts an inebriated salute.