Inside US Navy's EPIC Steel Beach Picnic on an Aircraft Carrier at Sea
Can you imagine being in the middle of the ocean, on a mission with thousands of sailors aboard one of the world's largest aircraft carriers? How does the crew find time for relaxation and team spirit in such a tense environment? Welcome to the Steel Beach Picnic, a unique tradition of the U.S. Navy that not only provides a welcome break but is also essential for morale on board.
As the ship navigates through international waters, the flight deck transforms into a bustling festival of food, music, and sports. How do thousands of sailors organize such a massive festivity on a ship that is simultaneously conducting a military operation?
Life on an aircraft carrier is a constant hum of activity. Sailors operate a complex machine, a microcosm of a city hurtling across vast stretches of ocean. Days are filled with drills, maintenance, training exercises, and the ever-present possibility of deployment. Sleep is a precious commodity, and relaxation a fleeting luxury. The Steel Beach Picnic cuts through this relentless routine, offering a much-needed respite. #aircraftcarrier #usnavy #documentary
Have you ever experienced a steel beach picnic on an aircraft carrier? Share your experiences below! What do you think about the organization of such events? Let's show great appreciation for our men and women in the US Navy! 💙👇
En los videos se ve demasiada comida tòxica. Poco saludable.
Nice that the NAVY can do things like this to help with morale.
Had a many steel beach picnic during my Naval career; USS Semmes DDG 18, USS Cape Cod AD 43, USS Kinkaid DD 965, USS Whidbey Island LSD 41, and USS Wasp LHD 1
My Father Keith C was stationed onboard the Semmes. He was a FC.
Been there (70’s) and what surprised me more than anything was the number of guy’s that played music!, I Rock N Rolled Navy style for 6 yrs.
These people deserve these steel beach picnics. They work 24/7 to protect us from all the tyranny that are constantly plaguing our shores and land. They give their life to protect others less fortunate from terrorism. They deserve a break to unwind.
I love just how much emphasis is placed on what breaks do for morale, as if it’s a truly unfathomable concept, christ
Good times... this brings me back. I was cranking during one of the steel beach picnics, a lot of work for the logistics and deck folks at the back end, but a lot of fun
I had 2 Steel Beach picnics on the USS Saratoga during DS1. Great times.
Very gratifying to see that these events exist.
Had one on USS Independence in 1981 also had a 2- beer day!
Sweet tea, pulled pork sandwich, BBQ beans hold the handgrenades, potato salad, coleslaw w/extra cordite. Yum!
The Navy probably has some of the best cooks in the world !
NO
YUM YUM !!!!! Ricky from IBM
USS Peliliu 1988 several in a 6 month float. Marine corporal from HMLA 169 attached to HMM 164 Knightriders. Always enjoyed them.
Huge respect to our navy 😅
Took part in several steel beach picnics aboard the USS John f Kennedy cv-67 in squadron HS-7. We also had what we called smoker events which were boxing matches during the picnic. These events were essential for moral.
Never had one on the Kitty Hawk, 76 to 80! In fact, we were at sea 90 days once and not a single day off ! it was seven days a week for 90 days straight and it really sucked! This picnic is a great great idea !!!!!
Awesome & Godspeed...
May God always bless and protect our service men and women in uniform!!!
Had 2 steel beach picnics in 7 months aboard the USS Coral Sea back in the late 80"s , Was a well deserved break and like was said above crucial to the crews moral , Would give anything to be deployed one more time , Airedale here from VFA-131 Wildcats AO great times !
I was on the Coral Sea 82-83. Never had a steel beach picnic that I remember
I did 2 Deployments on the Coral Sea.1963: Peace Time and 1965 Yankee Station. No such festivities for us but l think it's a great idea.
so happy
I love the fact the Navy allows activities like this to take place on a carrier! Does anyone know where this Steel Beach Picnic took place? I am curious! Just wondering where it was safe enough to let this picnic take place? I hope everyone had a GREAT time! I have been to a similiar event on land, and it was a blast.
Super!
Heard of the underwater drones the Houthis have now or the hypersonic missiles by others? So next you could combine the picnic with swimming to the beach too.
Do you really think they're going to sink one of those? The Houthis?
I believe that GODS those BOYS N Girls
👍👍👍
I have a feeling these events don’t occur often enough. What is the average cadence for these brief respites?
Viva EEUU.
If you gotta go to war it's the Navy for me, I don't like long hikes with a 65 lb pack carrying an 11 lb rifle with the constant possibility of being shot at any moment, then digging a hole in the mud or sand (with lots of stinging and biting insects, maybe a stray snake seeking warmth) to sleep in and having to eat and crap in that same hole. I sunburn into 3rd degree burns. 🥵 And I get heatstroke 🥵Wearing the same filthy clothes for days or weeks. No thanks! In the Navy you get a variety of 3 squares a day of non-freeze-dried hot food prepared in a clean kitchen, eat at your leisure at a clean table. Clean clothes on you and in your locker. Then you have an actual bed to sleep on. You don't have to worry about the enemy sneaking into your area to kill you in your sleep. It has its downsides if it's hit but the chances of a US Navy ship being struck or sunk outside of a world war are practically nil. If that happens you're as safe on your ship as you would be in a large city. Hopefully WWIII won't happen.
And there are no flies and insects getting on the food when you are out to sea?
hahaha
No there isn't. Best part of the picnic. No pests...
Let them have 5 beers each, its America isn't it?