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Zachary Levi is currently traveling with the USO Tour to the Middle East. Zac is joined by Joel David Moore, Kal Penn and Christian Slater on this trip to entertain and visit with troops stationed overseas. Here’s Zac’s first blog:
12 May 2009, The North Arabian Sea
The USO is a wonderful organization, and today was nothing short of amazing. After spending the better part of the last two days traveling, my best friends Joel, Jeremy, and Ryan and I found ourselves in a van
with Kal Penn and Christian Slater, watching the sun rise through the hazy skies over the Kingdom of Bahrain in the heart of the Persian Gulf. What came next is nothing short of an entire day filled with once in a lifetime experiences.After breakfast and a quick safety briefing, we boarded a C2 Greyhound, called a COD, and took off on a 3 hour flight for the North Arabian Sea. Confession, only one person got so sick on the flight that they filled up two bags with breakfast. Second confession, it wasn’t any of the other guys. Still, hard to complain. The flight crew took good care of me and by the way WE GOT TO LAND ON A FREAKING AIRCRAFT CARRIER!
To be honest, it is more like crashing onto the deck of an aircraft carrier, as anyone who has done it will likely agree. When the tailhook catches, you go from 105 MPH to Zero in under two seconds. The skill these pilots have is unmatched. When the back ramp open, the first sight we saw was an F-18 Super Hornet taxiing behind us, and a helicopter flying over the deck beyond. Past that, it was nothing but ocean as far as the eye could see. The second sight I won’t mention, but motion sickness is a very serious affliction affecting millions of Americans every day. But I digress.
We hopped onto the flight deck and were greeted by XO Williams and the badass crew of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. It turns out, all you have to do is win the biggest war in human history and become President of the United States and the Navy will name the meanest warship on Planet Earth after you.
We were greeted by the Captain, the Command Master Sergeant, and Admiral Tidd, treated to a great meal, and then it was back to it. We were led up to the flight deck, where we got to see a Prowler and numerous F-18s catapult off the ship on their way for the skies over Afghanistan. It is not a sight a person is likely to forget. The pilots also flew some fly-byes for us, and we got to stand twenty feet away while the crew recovered F-18s. My heart is still pounding.
After a few hours touring the tower operation, including the bridge and the combat ops center, which is pretty much the most high-tech nerd-fantasy I’ve ever had come true, we got to meet the sailors. We spent a few hours shaking hands, signing autographs, and getting to know several hundred of the brave men and women that spend their lives on this monstrous ship, projecting it’s 95,000 tons of good ol’ American Diplomacy all over the world to keep the rest of us safe.
Unfortunately, the day was too short to meet all of the over 4,500 sailors on board, but everyone we met all day, from the cooks, to the guides and media personnel, to the officers and the Admiral were 100% top-notch. I’ve always heard that the best people in the world are in the United States Armed Services, and now I believe it. We couldn’t have been treated better by a group of people who humble us with their very existence and the sacrifices that they make to keep us safe and free. For what they do everyday in service to our country, it would have been an honor to have spent ten minutes with them on a lifeboat, but to spend an entire day on one of the finest ships in the Navy You know what? There aren’t words.
After some quick goodbyes and a double-dose of Dramamine, we were back onboard the COD for what can only be called the most exhilarating end to the most exhilarating of days—A Zero-150 MPH in under three seconds launch off of the deck. They could charge for this stuff.
Tomorrow, we are scheduled to meet many more of our fine military men and women here in Bahrain, but for now, it is off to bed with a thanks to God for an unbelievable day on an unbelievable ship with an
unbelievable crew. And for dry land. Nice, steady, dry land.-Zac
There truly aren’t words for how awesome that is. I’ve done the tourist thing at USS Midway in San Diego, which is cool in its own right, but to land on, tour, and meet the crew of a modern ship of war, and see them in action… the only thing cooler I can think of is to actually go to orbit on the shuttle.
Go Zach!
I was on several cruises aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk while my dad was stationed on her, but I never got to be in a plane when it hit cable #3 or when catapulted off her bow. I’m so completely jealous! Steam, Press, Fight, Win! Go Navy!
Thanks Zac! A very enjoyable read.
I am from the middle East Lebanon go Lebanon its beautiful just like Australia.
and chuck is awsome if we stay with our heads in the game chuck will be in many season to come and season 3.
I hope I don’t get flamed to death for saying this, but America isn’t the only nation fighting in the Middle East to keep the world as safe as possible, and while their numbers cannot match those of the american armed forces, their commitment is nevertheless as strong as their american counterparts, they fight with the very same courage and self-sacrifice, many times side-by-side, thus deserving just as much praise and respect. The best people in the world really are in the armed forces, just not only in the american ones.
Now, don’t take as Anti-American or anything, God no. I have lots of American friends and have no quarrel with them. I’m just saying…
And again, the tour is for American soldiers and it is the human nature to cheer alittle harder for the home team. I’m sure that, in the end, Zach Levi feels just the same for any international military detachment and would meet them in the same fashion if he had the chance. My respect for him grows this day.
hi! do you guys have a link 2 where the blogs are originally published?
That’s tight. This is a great thing they are doing, and they are so lucky to have the opportunity. GO CHUCK!
Zac, a person that goes out of their way like that to give support to the troops deserves the experience you were able to have. Awesome!!!
Oh, flying and boats and… yeah, as a fellow puker, I can definitely empathize with that part of Zac’s trip. Otherwise, I’m glad he’s out there using his role as a celebrity to pick up people who need to be picked up. Way to go, Zac.
I think it’s great that Zac took the time to go overseas and entertain the American troops. Although, I feel kind of bad for him since he seemed to be sick—but that’s so Chuck-ish! He’s awesome XD
Awesome Zach :), also great to see the dailyshow mentioning not to cancel chuck http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=227320
Glad that Zach got to come out and visit us! Way to go! Glad to see you got to experience the Navy’s finest, C-130! Nothing like coming in sideways to land on a football field in the middle of the ocean.
HUGE fan of Chuck. Thank’s taking the time to visit.
Don’t worry, most people don’t ever get used to the CAT launch.
“After a few hours touring the tower operation, including the bridge and the combat ops center, which is pretty much the most high-tech nerd-fantasy I’ve ever had come true,”
This just gave me an idea for another save the show movement / show awareness thing to do.
I’ve read before that Zac and Josh are gamers, and there have been numerous COD references on the show. Xbox Live has that “Game with Fame” thing going where they do gaming nights with stars. How about game night with the stars of Chuck on COD4?
I’ve seen Tenacious D do this numerous times on Rock Band where you get in a game and have Jack Black on vocals, why not a few game nights here and there with the Chuck crew to get that name out more?
Awesome read Zac. My younger brother is in the Navy. I bet your friends were making fun of ya when you were hurling…ha ha, that’s what friends are for. Go Chuck!
Great read. I can remember the stories that my dad, who was in the navy, would tell me when he came back from trips. I could always imagine myself doing the same thing you did but I don’t think that dramimine would have helped though LOL. I am proud to say that I am a fan of chuck knowing that you and others are going out of your way to visit those who sacrifice their lives and families and show your support for them and this great nation. On a lighter note, I had an idea about a plot for an episode. What if team chuck went on an aircraft carrier to to help stop a “ring” mission? Just thinking aloud that that would be really “awesome”. Anyway, Thanks again for the great read and ready for more updates on your trip.
Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing, what a GREAT blog!