Ten Sailors from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) had the opportunity to visit the Royal New Zealand Navy Frigate HMNZS Te Mana
(F111) and experience another nation’s navy during a crew exchange.
During the Sailors’ time aboard Te Mana, they were able to tour the ship, enjoy lunch and learn about New Zealand Sailors.
“It was a nice break for me,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class (SW) Zachary Lind, Lincoln Deck Department. “It’s my first time to
cross-deck to another ship, and it was more exciting because it’s a foreign ship. It was a new experience for me. I liked how
Sailors are more relaxed here. Everybody’s friendly since it’s a small crew; everybody knows everybody. And, I’ve also noticed
that the ship is very clean.”
Leading Electronic Technician Darryl Hanson and Leading Marine Technician Richard Te Nana, are two of the Royal New Zealand
Sailors who gave the tour while Lincoln Sailors were on board.
“I think it’s cool to have other Sailors on board,” Hanson said. “From my point of view, it’s good to take advantage of the opportunity
to go to another ship that belongs to another Navy. It’s a good chance to see how things are the same or maybe compare the
differences. It gives us a chance to talk to other people and see our common interests.”
Te Nana said he enjoyed giving the tour and showing what a New Zealand ship can do.
“It was a good day,” Te Nana said. “I was looking forward to seeing a carrier, but when I heard that there were Lincoln Sailors coming
to our ship, I volunteered to give the tour. I like meeting new people; I had a great time interacting with another Navy,” he said.
“We’ve busted a few myths. We’ve always heard that American carriers have McDonald’s on board, but today I found out it’s not
true,” Te Nana said. “It’s my first time to see a carrier after being in the Navy for nine-and-one-half years. It’s an amazing ship
and it’s really cool watching the aircraft take off.”
The engine room, flight deck, sickbay and berthing are some of the spaces Lincoln Sailors explored while on board Te Mana.
It was a great experience for Machinist’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Aaron Frost, Lincoln Engineering Department.
“I was able to see what other countries have and compare it with what we have on Lincoln. It’s amazing to see two ships’ technology
side-by-side,” Frost said.
Some of the Lincoln cross-decking Sailors traded their ball caps with the Royal New Zealand Sailors. Operations Specialist 1st Class
(SW/AW) Dana Spangler, Carrier Strike Group 9, brought some hot sauce, patches and coins to give away to some of the Te Mana crew.
“I had a good time,” Spangler said. “It allowed us to see a new environment. It’s my first time to cross-deck, but riding the helicopter
again after 11 years was the most fun part for me. I think we should give Sailors a chance more often to cross-deck; it’s a morale
booster and gives us new experiences of other ship’s life.”