It’s a rare opportunity few civilians ever get to experience – a trap and catapult aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
Oak Harbor High School Principal Dwight Lundstrom was one of a lucky few when he boarded a C-2 Greyhound out of Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Oct. 20, 2014, to spend an overnight stay aboard.
Lundstrom joined several other people across the country who were able take part in the Navy’s Carrier Embark program off the Southern California coast. The Carrier Embark Program invites people in civic, professional and social organizations who have an impact on the Navy’s future in recruitment and in government decision-making.
“I have always had great pride in naval aviation since my father was a P-3 aviator,” Lundstrom said. “However, seeing planes land on the carrier added a whole new level of respect for the pilots and the men and women that support the flight operations.”
More than 40 percent of Lundstrom’s high school students are affiliated with the Navy, with parents or guardians serving on active duty or working as civilians on the base. Oak Harbor High School also has one of the largest Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) in Pacific Northwest. It is also one of the top ranked NJROTC units in the country.
After experiencing operations up close on the flight deck, Lundstrom was struck by the precision of activities.
“It is a well-choreographed dance that is performed by very young and professional people. I was so impressed with the conversations with sailors on the ship and how each of them said, ‘I have the best job,'” Lundstrom said.
The trip also strengthened Lundstrom’s resolve to help families to deal with the struggles they experience when one of the family members is deployed.
“I think it certainly helps me to continue to be aware and empathetic to family issues with the amount of time our Navy personnel are required to be away from their families and the challenges they face for communicating with home,” he said.
“The overall experience was outstanding,” Lundstrom said. “I am very proud to work in a school that serves Navy families and to serve their children.”