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Narrator: SHE'S ONE OF THE MOST
ADVANCED AMPHIBIOUS WARSHIPS ON THE PLANET.
Man: CAPTAIN. BATTERIES RELEASE MOUNT 301.
Narrator: NAVY AND MARINES FIGHTING AS ONE FORCE,
BY SEA, LAND, AND AIR.
Man: I CAN PUT THEM ANYWHERE ON YOUR DOORSTEP,
AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN YOUR BACKYARD IN A SECOND.
Narrator: BUILT TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF 9-11.
Man: THIS SHIP IS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM.
Narrator: THIS TEAM HAS JUST THREE WEEKS
TO PROVE THEY'RE TOUGH ENOUGH FOR THE FRONT LINES.
Man: IT IS LIKE THE LULL BEFORE THE STORM, YES.
Narrator: USS NEW YORK
IS ONE OF THE NAVY'S NEWEST AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT VESSELS.
SHE'S A SAN ANTONIO CLASS LANDING PLATFORM DOCK,
MADE TO LOAD AND SAIL 850 MARINES,
ALONG WITH THEIR ARTILLERY, ARMORED CARRIERS,
HOVERCRAFTS, TRUCKS...
EVEN ATTACK AND TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS.
USS NEW YORK WAS DEPLOYED
ON THE 11th ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9-11 ATTACKS IN 2012.
PRIOR TO THAT, THIS BRAND-NEW SHIP AND HER CREW
WENT THROUGH A THREE-WEEK TEST LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
THESE LAST MANEUVERS BEFORE DEPLOYMENT
WILL CULMINATE IN A NIGHT-TIME AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT.
Man: MAKE SENSE? THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.
THAT'S WHAT YOU GOT TO WATCH OUT FOR.
Narrator: COMMANDING THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART ASSAULT VESSEL
IS THE CAPTAIN, WILLIAM HERRMANN.
William Herrmann: YOU GOT FIVE KNOTS GOING.
YOU CAN USE A LITTLE MORE RUDDER THAN THAT.
WE CAN LAUNCH MARINES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
THAT'S THE BENEFIT OF BEING IN THE NAVY.
THE INTERNATIONAL WATER STARTS AT 12 MILES,
SO I CAN PULL INTO 12 MILES OF ANYBODY'S COAST
AND THEN FROM THERE, SEND MY MARINES ASHORE.
Narrator: USS NEW YORK IS 684 FEET LONG
AND CAN REACH A REPORTED MAXIMUM SPEED
OF 22 KNOTS, OR 25 MILES PER HOUR.
SHE HAS TWO 30-MILLIMETER CANNONS
TO HANDLE SURFACE THREATS
AND MISSILE LAUNCHERS TO TAKE OUT AIR ATTACKS.
Man: TRACK 3-5-6-5.
Woman on radio: 3-5-6-5, AYE
Narrator: BUILT FOR STEALTH,
THE SHAPE OF HER HULL AND HER PAINT JOB
ALLOW HER TO AVOID DETECTION BY ENEMY RADAR.
AT HER STERN IS THE WELL DECK--
THE GATEWAY TO LOAD AND LAUNCH
HOVERCRAFTS AND AMPHIBIOUS VESSELS.
UP ABOVE, SHE HAS A 20,000- SQUARE-FOOT FLIGHT DECK
THAT CAN LAUNCH ANY HELICOPTER IN THE U.S. NAVY.
BUT WHAT MAKES USS NEW YORK UNIQUE
IS THE 7.5 TONS OF STEEL THAT FORM HER BOW STERN,
SALVAGED FROM THE WRECKAGE OF THE 9-11 TERRORIST ATTACKS
ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.
Man: IT'S A SHIP THAT'S BUILT OUT OF THIS METAL.
IT'S GOT DNA FROM NEW YORKERS, FIREMEN, POLICEMEN,
PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, FROM ALL CREEDS AND RELIGION.
IT'S HERE. IT'S IN THIS METAL.
IT'S PART OF THIS SHIP.
THIS SHIP-- YOU'VE GOT TO FEEL IT.
IT'S DIFFERENT HERE.
Narrator: ALL THROUGH THE SHIP STAND REMINDERS AND ARTIFACTS
OF THAT DEADLY STRIKE ON AMERICAN SOIL:
METAL RECLAIMED FROM THE RUBBLE OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER...
A STEEL BEAM FROM THE TWIN TOWERS...
GIFTS FROM THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY.
Herrmann: THERE'S A DIFFERENT FEEL ONBOARD THE SHIP.
I LIKE TO THINK WE HAVE ABOUT 2,900 SOULS ONBOARD
THAT ARE HELPING, GUIDING US TO EXECUTE OUR MISSION.
Man: THESE ARE ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT DIED THAT DAY.
THIS IS LIEUTENANT COMMANDER VALK,
LIEUTENANT COLONEL WAGNER,
WILLIAM HOWARD DONOVAN,
COMMANDER PATRICK DUNN.
STEVE MERCADO WAS A SCHOOL FRIEND OF MINE.
HE WAS A FIREMAN AT ENGINE 40.
WE GOT TO BE PRETTY CLOSE.
Man: 1,000 YARDS REMAINING ON NAVIGATIONAL....
Narrator: USS NEW YORK
IS MONTHS AWAY FROM HER FIRST DEPLOYMENT--
THE EXACT TIME AND DESTINATION STILL CLASSIFIED.
RIGHT NOW,
SHE'S IN MOREHEAD CITY, NORTH CAROLINA.
FROM HERE, SHE'LL SET OUT FOR THREE WEEKS OF MANEUVERS,
ON AND OFF SHORE,
ALONG THE COAST OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA.
BUT FIRST NEW YORK NEEDS TO LOAD 1,250 TONS OF EQUIPMENT
SO SHE CAN SAIL ON TIME.
THE PRESSURE IS ON FOR FIRST LIEUTENANT TROY ROSE.
HE SUPERVISES THE WELL DECK.
Troy Rose: JUST THE SPONSON ISSUE.
I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ALMOST 26 YEARS, YOU KNOW,
IN ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF PLATFORMS
FROM DESTROYERS, YOU NAME IT, YOU KNOW.
I USED TO DRIVE THE BOATS WHEN I WAS YOUNG.
I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE.
Narrator: TROY AND HIS TEAM HAVE 10 HOURS
TO LOAD ABOUT 230 PIECES OF MILITARY HARDWARE--
EVERYTHING FROM HOWITZER CANNONS
TO CONTAINERS OF PRE-PACKAGED MEALS.
Troy: WE GOT A LOAD PLAN, WE NEED TO EXECUTE THE LOAD PLAN.
AND EVERY NOW AND THEN, SOMETHING DOESN'T WORK,
SOMETHING DOESN'T START.
GUESS WHAT? WE GOT TO EITHER TOW IT
OR MAKE A DECISION TO LEAVE IT BEHIND.
Narrator: WORKING INTO THE NIGHT,
THE LOADING TEAM PACKS THE MARINES' CARGO,
JUST MAKING THE 10-HOUR DEADLINE.
THE NEXT MORNING,
USS NEW YORK LEAVES MOREHEAD CITY.
HER FIRST TEST COMES UP RIGHT AWAY.
IT'S A JOB THAT CAN ONLY BE HANDLED
BY AN AMPHIBIOUS DOCK SHIP:
PICK UP THE 24th MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT
FROM AN UNDISCLOSED BEACH LOCATION,
PLUS THEIR 14 FLOATING ARMORED CARRIERS, KNOWN AS AAVs,
AS WELL AS DOZENS OF VEHICLES, ARTILLERY, AND HARDWARE.
THE EXACT LIST OF GEAR IS TOP SECRET.
Herrmann: SO THE OPERATION WE'RE DOING THIS AFTERNOON
IS RECOVERING ALL OF OUR AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT VEHICLES.
AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT EFFECTIVELY,
THE SHIP HAS TO BE POSITIONED FAIRLY PRECISELY.
THE AAVs CAN ONLY SWIM A CERTAIN DISTANCE OUT,
SO WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO SHORE,
JUST ABOUT TWO MILES OFF, IN VERY SHALLOW WATER.
Narrator: TO ACCOMPLISH THIS RECOVERY,
NEW YORK WILL USE HER WELL DECK.
IT'S THE HEART AND SOUL OF THIS SHIP.
Troy: IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PRIMARY WEAPON,
THIS IS OUR WEAPON, IS OUR WELL DECK.
OUR ABILITY TO COME UP IN HERE
AND RECEIVE AND GET THESE MARINES BACK TO THE BEACH--
THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS SHIP IS ALL ABOUT.
Narrator: THE WELL DECK IS LOCATED
AT THE STERN OF THE SHIP.
MASSIVE BALLAST TANKS LOWER NEW YORK,
SINKING THE WELL DECK UP TO 12 FEET BELOW THE WATERLINE.
OPENING THE STERN GATE TRANSFORMS THIS VAST SPACE
INTO A LANDING DOCK FOR AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES.
Troy: IF I WAS NOT IN AN AMPHIB AND I HAD WATER LIKE THAT,
I'D BE FINDING MY LIFE RAFT.
[LAUGHING]
Man: IT'LL TAKE ME 15 MINUTES.
Narrator: THE SHIP'S BOATSWAIN,
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER KEITH SHAW,
IS TROY'S MAN IN THE DECK.
Troy: AWW, HE'S MEAN AS A DOG.
[GROWLS]
HE BITES.
I'M THE NICE ONE. HE'S THE ONE THAT BITES.
Keith Shaw: HEY, CORTEZ!
Troy: YOU'LL SEE HIM DOWN IN THE WELL DECK.
YOU DON'T MESS WITH BOATSWAIN.
Keith: LET'S ROCK, LET'S GO.
Narrator: THIS IS A TRAINING EXERCISE,
BUT THE DANGERS OF THE WELL DECK ARE ALWAYS TOP OF MIND.
Troy: A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE TRAIN,
WE TRAIN IN COMBAT SYSTEMS WITH, YOU KNOW, MOCK SCENARIOS,
AND IT BASICALLY IS A LITTLE SIMULATOR AND STUFF LIKE HERE.
BUT THE DECK DOESN'T SIMULATE NOTHING.
EVERYTHING WE DO IS FOR REAL.
IF WE MAKE A MISTAKE, SOMEBODY COULD GET HURT OR KILLED.
AND IT'S HAPPENED.
Narrator: KEITH KNOWS THAT AS WELL AS ANYONE,
SO WHEN IT COMES TO DOCKING THESE CARRIERS,
HE AND HIS CREW PREPARE FOR THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO.
Keith: THEY'RE DESIGNED TO FLOAT ON TOP OF THE WATER,
BUT THEY HAVE A PROPENSITY TO SINK SOMETIMES,
SO WE HAVE TO REALLY KEEP AN EYE ON THEM.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO LAUNCH TWO SAFETY BOATS
TO FOLLOW THEM ALL THE WAY TO US.
[INDISTINCT TALKING ON RADIO]
Narrator: AS THE FIRST OF THE AAVs APPROACH,
THE WELL DECK CREW IS ON FULL ALERT.
Keith: ULTIMATELY I WANT TO GET THEM TO COME IN HERE SAFELY.
THAT'S THE GOAL. THAT IS THE OBJECTIVE.
Narrator: THE ARMORED CARRIER MAKES IT ON BOARD.
13 MORE TO GO.
BUT THEN KEITH GETS A HEADS-UP.
THE GAME PLAN HAS TO CHANGE RIGHT AWAY.
Narrator: THREE OF THE AAVs HAVE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.
THEY CAN'T REACH USS NEW YORK ON THEIR OWN.
Troy: SO WE'VE GOT THREE OF THEM RETURNING TO THE BEACH, CORRECT?
Man: AFFIRM.
Narrator: THE AAVs BELONG TO THE MARINES,
BUT IT'S THE SAILORS WHO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BRING THEM ABOARD.
Troy: HE'S A MARINE.
HE CAN SHOW US 20 MILLION WAYS TO KILL US,
BUT ONLY ON THE BEACH.
THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE US.
Narrator: SO WHAT IS ACTUALLY BIG ENOUGH
TO TRANSPORT A STRANDED ARMORED CARRIER?
AN LCAC--
SHORT FOR LANDING CRAFT AIR CUSHION.
NEW YORK HAS TWO OF THESE HOVERCRAFTS,
AND THEY'RE ALREADY MOVING OTHER GEAR
FROM THE BEACH TO THE SHIP.
88 FEET LONG,
GENERATING 16,000 HORSEPOWER,
THEY'RE BIG ENOUGH TO CARRY EIGHT HUMVEES.
NOW ONE OF THESE LCACs
WILL HAVE TO TRANSPORT THE DISABLED ARMORED CARRIERS.
BUT IT WILL MEAN EXTRA TRIPS AND POSSIBLY DELAYS.
Man: BRANDON SET IT OUT.
Man: IT'S GOING TO BE COMING BACK ON AN LCAC.
IT'LL BE COMING BACK ON A LCAC.
Narrator: THE CREW HAS TO SHOW THEY CAN HANDLE IT
WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT.
Troy: BOTH THOSE LCACs ARE PRE-LOADED,
SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO UNLOAD ONE OF THE LCACs TO DO THAT.
Narrator: THE MARINES START UNLOADING
ONE OF THE LCAC HOVERCRAFTS
TO TAKE ON THE THREE AAVs.
Troy: HOUR AND 20.
Narrator: KEITH SEES THE LAST OF THE FUNCTIONING CARRIERS
MAKE IT SAFELY INTO THE WELL DECK.
IT'S A HUGE RELIEF.
Keith: WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A BAD DAY.
WE HAVE A BAD DAY,
SOMEBODY DON'T GO HOME TO THEIR LOVED ONES, OKAY?
SO WE TAKE WHAT WE DO VERY SERIOUSLY.
Narrator: IN DEBARK CONTROL,
TROY GIVES THE ORDER TO DRAIN THE WELL DECK
AND CLEAR OUT THE CARRIERS
TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE TWO INCOMING LCACs.
Troy: WHERE ARE WE AT WITH OUR BALLAST?
Troy: COPY.
Narrator: THE WELL DECK IS DRAINED.
THE MARINES CAN UNLOAD AND PARK THEIR MASSIVE ARMORED CARRIERS
IN THE SHIP'S UPPER STORAGE DECKS.
NOW, THE HOVERCRAFT WITH THE LAST AAV
LEAVES THE BEACH AND HEADS FOR THE SHIP.
Keith: COME ON!
COME! LET'S GO! MORE, MORE, MORE.
Narrator: FINALLY, ALL THE AAVs HAVE MADE IT ON BOARD.
Keith: I'M A HAPPY MAN.
WE CAN CONTINUE ON WITH THE MISSION NOW.
GOOD. YEAH, COME ON, COME ON.
BRING 'EM UP.
Narrator: MARINE MECHANICS WILL BRING THESE AAVs BACK
TO FULL WORKING ORDER.
THEN THE LCACs RETURN TO THE BEACH
TO BRING THE REMAINING GEAR TO THE WELL DECK.
WITH THAT, NEW YORK'S SAILORS AND MARINES
PASS THEIR FIRST TEST.
Troy: OVERALL, EVERYBODY KEPT THEIR FINGERS AND TOES,
AND WE WERE SUCCESSFUL, WE COMPLETED THE MISSION.
Narrator: THIS IS JUST DAY ONE.
Man: REVEILLE! REVEILLE! ALL HANDS HEAVE OUT.
Narrator: THREE MORE WEEKS OF HARD TRAINING LIE AHEAD.
TRAINING OFF THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST,
MARINES AND SAILORS ABOARD USS NEW YORK
ARE UNDERGOING FINAL PREPARATIONS
BEFORE DEPLOYMENT.
Man: ALRIGHT, GUYS, GET READY TO GO.
Narrator: FROM THE STEEL IN HER BOW...
TO HER MOTTO...
TO HER NAME,
THIS SHIP HONORS THE VICTIMS
FROM THE WORST ATTACK ON AMERICAN SOIL.
Man: SO LET'S GO MEET, LET'S GO MEET GUNNY LOBO.
Narrator: FOR COMMANDER MASTER CHIEF RAFAEL PEREZ,
A NEW YORKER BORN AND RAISED,
THE CONNECTION TO 9-11 IS ESPECIALLY INTENSE.
Rafael Perez: ALL ALONG THE SHIP,
WE HAVE PICTURES OF THE TWIN TOWERS
BEFORE THEY FELL THAT DAY.
WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE NAMING THE SHIP THE USS NEW YORK
AFTER THE STATE OF NEW YORK...
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN TAKE THE NEW YORKER OUT OF NEW YORK,
BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE THE NEW YORK OUT OF THE NEW YORKER.
Narrator: RAFAEL KEEPS A CLOSE EYE
ON DISCIPLINE AND MORALE.
Rafael: HI, CHIEF.
IT'S THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM, HUH?
LOOK AT THE SEAS. LOOK HOW FLAT THE SEAS ARE.
Narrator: AS THE SENIOR ENLISTED SAILOR ON BOARD,
HE'S THE PERSONAL LINK BETWEEN THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
AND THE ENLISTED PERSONNEL.
Rafael: STAYING OUT OF TROUBLE?
Man: ABSOLUTELY. Rafael: ALRIGHT.
Erik Redding: WE HAD A COUPLE UNCLES
THAT WORKED IN THE TRADE CENTER.
Rafael: DID THEY... DID THEY MAKE IT OUT?
Erik: ONE DID NOT, MASTER CHIEF.
Rafael: ONE DID NOT? WHO WAS THAT?
Erik: JOE MALONEY.
Rafael: HE WAS YOUR UNCLE, AND HE GOT KILLED?
Erik: HE DID.
Rafael: SO YOUR UNCLE IS PART OF OUR CREW.
AND WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU.
ALRIGHT? THANKS. THANKS FOR SERVING.
YOU KNOW, THIS SHIP IS PART
OF BRINGING THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY,
MAKING SURE THAT THOSE PEOPLE DIDN'T DIE IN VAIN.
Herrmann: CAPTAIN. JUST A RUNDOWN
ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THE GUN SHOOT THIS MORNING.
Narrator: ON THE SECOND DAY AT SEA,
CAPTAIN HERRMANN IS TESTING
NEW YORK'S DEVASTATING FIREPOWER.
Man: THE END OF THIS BARREL,
YOU CAN SEE, SCREWS IN RIGHT HERE.
Narrator: AND HIS CREW--
SOME OF WHOM HAVE NEVER FIRED LIVE AMMUNITION.
Man: OTHER WAY.
Man: WHAT'S THAT? Man: OTHER WAY.
THERE YOU GO. SLAM THAT TOP SHUT.
IT'S EASY, TRUST ME.
Herrmann: IN A REAL WORLD SITUATION,
I DON'T WANT TO PULL THE TRIGGER AND HEAR "CLICK" AND NOT "***."
WHEN THE TIME COMES FOR IT TO HAPPEN FOR REAL,
WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE PULL THE TRIGGER,
THE ROUND'S GOING TO GO DOWN THE BARREL
AND LAND RIGHT WHERE WE WANT IT TO.
Narrator: FIRST, THEY FIRE THE .50-CALIBER MACHINE GUNS.
[GUNFIRE]
FIRING UP TO 600 ROUNDS PER MINUTE,
THESE GUNS CAN CUT THROUGH METAL, AND EVEN CONCRETE.
[GUNFIRE]
Man: WE CAN'T LOSE THEM IN THERE.
Narrator: THE .50-CALIBER GUNS AND THE CREW PASS THE TEST.
Man: COOL. YOU'RE GOOD.
Woman: YAY!
Narrator: NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE REALLY BIG GUNS.
Herrmann: CAPTAIN.
Narrator: TWO 30-MILLIMETER CANNONS.
CAPABLE OF FIRING UP TO 200 ROUNDS A MINUTE,
THEY CAN DESTROY A TARGET MORE THAN A MILE AWAY.
Herrmann: GUN SLEW LOOKS GOOD, CAMERA LOOKS GOOD.
Narrator: TO BEGIN, THE CAPTAIN CALLS FOR A SINGLE ROUND.
Herrmann: OKAY, MY INTENT IS TO,
WITH THE 10 ROUNDS FOR 301 AND 302,
TO FIRE THEM INDIVIDUALLY
AND TO START OFF WITH A SINGLE SHOT
AND THEN THREE THREE-ROUND BURSTS.
HOW COPY?
Man: MOUNT 301, BAYS RELEASED.
Narrator: RIGHT AWAY, THERE'S A PROBLEM.
TWO ROUNDS ARE FIRED.
NOT WHAT HE ORDERED.
FOR NOW, THE TEST CONTINUES.
Herrmann: ROGER, THANK YOU.
Narrator: BUT THE CAPTAIN DEMANDS AN EXPLANATION.
Herrmann: THE ONE CONCERN I HAVE IS THAT FIRST ROUND THAT WE DID.
WE WANTED TO DO A SINGLE SHOT, AND TWO ROUNDS WENT OUT.
SO THERE'S A COUPLE OF SETTINGS ON IT
WHILE IT WAS SET IN SINGLE SHOT...
NOW, THE WAY THE GUN OPERATOR
HAS TO MANIPULATE THE JOYSTICK FOR IT,
SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONE ROUND CAN COME OUT.
Narrator: IN A REAL BATTLE,
ORDERS NEED TO BE FOLLOWED TO THE LETTER.
A MISTAKE THEN COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN VICTORY AND DEFEAT.
DAY FIVE AT SEA FOR USS NEW YORK.
Radio: FLIGHT QUARTERS, FLIGHT QUARTERS,
ALL HANDS MAN YOUR FLIGHT QUARTER STATIONS.
WEAR NO COVERS TOPSIDE, THROW NO ARTICLES OVER THE SIDE.
ALL HANDS NOT INVOLVED...
Narrator: THE SHIP IS SUDDENLY ORDERED
TO RAID AND CAPTURE A HOSTILE CARGO VESSEL.
THESE EXERCISES ARE THE EQUIVALENT TO FINAL EXAMS.
FAILING IS NOT AN OPTION.
Herrmann: WHEN THIS EXERCISE IS OVER,
WE'RE GOING TO GO OVERSEAS.
WE'RE GOING TO BE FORWARD DEPLOYED
WHERE THIS WON'T BE A TRAINING MISSION;
IT'LL BE A REAL WORLD MISSION.
AND THAT'S WHEN LIVES ARE TRULY AT STAKE.
THEN WE'LL COME OFF THEIR PORT SIDE,
SO WE'LL COME OFF THEIR STARBOARD SIDE...
Woman: MAN THE BOAT DECK. MAN THE BOAT DECK.
Keith: THAT WAS GOOD.
Man: LOOKING GOOD!
ALL THE WAY, CHECK TWO!
Narrator: AS THE NAVY PREPARES THEIR SPEEDBOATS
TO BRING THE ASSAULT FORCE TO THE TARGET,
THE MARINES PREPARE THEIR GEAR TO SEIZE THE CARGO VESSEL.
THAT ROLE IS PLAYED BY A U.S. NAVY FUELING SHIP.
RIGHT NOW WHAT WE'RE PLANNING FOR
IS A BOTTOM-UP ASSAULT
WITH OUR BOATS THAT ARE GOING TO COME ALONGSIDE.
AND THEN, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THAT,
THE HELICOPTERS WILL COME AND DO A HELICOPTER ASSAULT
WITH FAST ROPE MARINES THAT'LL COME DOWN.
IT IS ALWAYS DANGEROUS BOARDING ANOTHER VESSEL
BECAUSE IT'S AN UNKNOWN, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S ONBOARD.
Narrator: THE PLAN IS TO INNOCENTLY SAIL PAST
THE ENEMY SHIP AS IF NOTHING IS HAPPENING.
HELICOPTERS AND SPEEDBOATS WILL FOLLOW,
HIDDEN FROM VIEW.
THEN, AS NEW YORK APPEARS TO MOVE ON,
THE ASSAULT FORCE WILL BE LAUNCHED
AGAINST THE CARGO SHIP.
NEW YORK WILL TURN AROUND AND FOLLOW,
READY TO RECOVER THE CHOPPERS AND BOATS.
Man: BOARDING THE HOSTILE BOAT,
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, YOU KNOW.
WE CAN PULL UP ALONGSIDE, THEY CAN START SHOOTING AT US.
Man: HEY! HEY!
Man: MAN ON THE LADDER.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN PLANNED DOWN TO THE MINUTE,
SO EXECUTING THAT ON TIME IS KEY.
Narrator: THE TRAP HAS BEEN SET.
NEW YORK APPEARS TO BE SAILING PAST
COMPLETELY UNCONCERNED.
SPEEDBOATS AND HELICOPTERS FOLLOW OUT OF SIGHT...
EVERY MARINE WAITING FOR THE COMMAND TO GO.
Adams: RIGHT NOW WE JUST GOT WORD
THE HELICOPTER ASSAULT FORCE
IS GOING TO BE PUSHING TO THE OBJECTIVE.
Narrator: TWO SETS OF MARINES ATTACK THE SHIP FROM THE WATER
AND THE AIR.
Man: LEFT, 15 DEGREES, COURSE 0-0-0.
Man: VERY WELL.
Narrator: AVIATION BOATSWAIN'S MATE DUSTIN SHIPMAN
IS THE AIR TOWER'S EYES AND EARS.
NOTHING MOVES ON THE FLIGHT DECK WITHOUT DUSTIN KNOWING ABOUT IT.
Dustin Shipman: NOW WE'VE GOT THREE AIRCRAFT IN THE AIR.
WE'RE GETTING READY TO START THESE OTHER TWO AIRCRAFT UP,
TOP THEM OFF WITH FUEL AND GET THEM OUT THERE
SO THEY CAN RELIEVE THE GUYS WE JUST LAUNCHED.
Narrator: IT'S ALL GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN...
UNTIL NOW.
Adams: THEY'VE ENCOUNTERED RESISTANCE ONBOARD THE SHIP.
ONE OF THE TEAM MEMBERS HAS RECEIVED A GUNSHOT WOUND,
NOT SURE THE LEVEL OF SEVERITY AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
[GARBLED SPEECH OVER RADIO]
Narrator: THE WOUNDED MARINE IS TAKEN OFF THE HOSTILE SHIP
BY CHOPPER.
Herrmann: WE'RE GETTING THIS FOOTAGE
FROM ONE OF THE HELICOPTERS
THAT ARE RIGHT OFF OF THEIR STARBOARD BEAM.
Man: RIGHT NOW YOU'RE LOOKING AT ONE OF THE TEAMS
ON THE MAIN DECK OF THE SHIP.
YOU CAN SEE A SUBJECT THAT APPEARS TO BE HOSTILE.
WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO
IS THEY'RE GOING TO SUBDUE THE SUBJECT.
Herrmann: STILL DOING EIGHT?
OKAY. THIS IS A MAJOR SHOW OF FORCE.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS DESIGNED TO DO.
IT'S KIND OF THE SHOCK-AND-AWE KIND OF THING.
Narrator: THE SHIP HAS BEEN SEIZED,
ENEMIES CAPTURED.
THE MARINES AND NAVY HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL.
Herrmann: THERE'S THE BOW.
THE MAIN CHALLENGES WERE THE TIMING,
MAKING SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING ON TIME,
AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO.
SO ALL OF THE COORDINATION,
ALL THE SYNCHRONIZATION BETWEEN ALL THE DIFFERENT PLAYERS
HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO.
Narrator: BACK HOME ON NEW YORK,
THE MARINES ARE STILL PUMPED FROM THEIR MISSION.
[CHEERING]
[CHEERING]
Narrator: IN A FEW MONTHS' TIME,
THESE SAME SOLDIERS FROM THE 24th MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT
WILL BE SAILING ON USS NEW YORK
TO A TROUBLE SPOT, OR EVEN A WAR ZONE.
Keith: ABBOTT, I NEED YOU AND RENDELL
TO COME DOWN HERE TO THE WELL DECK.
Narrator: AND TO GET READY FOR THAT DAY,
THE TRAINING JUST WON'T STOP.
Keith: KEEP COMING! YOU GOT THREE FEET!
KEEP COMING! KEEP COMING!
Narrator: EVERY DAY,
THIS TRAINING MISSION BRINGS USS NEW YORK
CLOSER TO HER FIRST DEPLOYMENT.
RIGHT NOW, THE MARINES ARE PRACTICING ANOTHER LAUNCH
FROM THE WELL DECK,
WITH THEIR ENORMOUS HOVERCRAFTS AND 26-TON ARMORED CARRIERS.
MARINE GUNNERY SERGEANT JESSE MURPHY LOVES THE RIDE,
EVEN IF HE CAN'T BELIEVE THEY REALLY FLOAT.
Jesse Murphy: A 26-TON AAV, IN MY MIND, SHOULD NOT FLOAT.
BUT SOMEBODY WITH A LOT BIGGER BRAIN THAN ME
DESIGNED IT WITH WATER DISPLACEMENT,
JUST LIKE A SHIP.
THAT'S WHAT KEEPS IT FLOATING.
Narrator: BUT JESSE IS LUCKY.
HE SITS UP ON TOP.
THE MARINES DOWN BELOW HAVE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.
Jesse: THEY BRING THEIR HELMETS
BECAUSE THEY TEND TO GET SEASICK.
Narrator: THEN, IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MANEUVER...
A SURPRISE TEST.
A LANDING CRAFT UTILITY, OR LCU,
IS INBOUND FROM A SISTER SHIP.
THE WELL DECK CREW HAS TO DOCK THIS MASSIVE TRANSPORT VESSEL
QUICKLY.
135 FEET LONG, 420 TONS FULLY LOADED,
IT'S BY FAR THE BIGGEST, HEAVIEST CRAFT
THEY WILL EVER HAVE TO HANDLE.
BUT THEY'VE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE.
Troy: HOW BAD WAS IT?
Narrator: FIRST LIEUTENANT TROY ROSE
OVERSEES ANYTHING COMING INTO OR LEAVING THIS CRITICAL SPACE.
Troy: WELL, THEY'RE TRYING TO KEEP US ON OUR TOES RIGHT NOW,
SO THEY'RE CHANGING OUR DAY ALL THE TIME.
EVERY TIME I THINK I HAVE A PLAN, THEY CHANGE IT.
THEY TRY TO TRICK US UP A LITTLE BIT, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
Jesse: HEY, ARE YOU GOING TO BE ON THE SEA?
Narrator: THE AAVs SITTING IN THE WELL DECK
HAVE TO CLEAR OUT RIGHT AWAY.
Jesse: FISHER! IS YOUR HATCH LOCKED?
Narrator: SOME DEPLOYING INTO THE SEA,
AND OTHERS MOVING TO AN UPPER DECK.
Troy: IT'S GOT TO BE OUT OF THE WAY.
Keith: ALL THAT STUFF WILL BE MOVED.
Man: YOU GOT HOW MANY PEOPLE? Man: 54.
Man: WE'LL GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY
AND THIS OUT OF THE WAY.
Keith: HEY, WILLIS! GO AHEAD AND GET DRESSED OUT.
Narrator: ONCE THE WELL DECK IS CLEAR,
BOATSWAIN KEITH SHAW AND HIS CREW
RAMP UP FOR THEIR BIG TEST:
DOCKING A TRANSPORT VESSEL SO BIG,
IT CAN CARRY 400 MARINES.
IN BALLAST CONTROL,
THE CREW STANDS PUMPING IN 800,000 GALLONS OF WATER
TO SINK THE WELL DECK THE NECESSARY 10 FEET.
Man: HE DOESN'T WANT TO LET US LOWER IT?
Man: 1-932 IS ALSO 21,000, SIR.
Man: ALIGN YOUR DEFENSE TO THOSE TANKS.
Keith: CROSSING THE SILL. CROSSING THE SILL.
AND OVER LINE TWO, OVER LINE TWO.
THAT'S THE FIRST LINE THAT WE SEND OVER.
LINE TWO IS GOING TO BREAK THE CRAFT'S FORWARD MOMENTUM.
IT'S GOING TO BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE WAVES
ONCE IT IT GETS INSIDE OF THIS CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.
Narrator: IF THE LCU HITS THE WALLS,
IT COULD DO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE SHIP.
KEITH DOESN'T WANT THAT HAPPENING ON HIS WATCH.
Keith: TAKE SLACK OUT OF ALL LINES!
THERE YOU GO. HOLD HER LIKE THAT.
Narrator: IN THIS FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH AN LCU,
NO ONE WAS INJURED, NOTHING WAS DAMAGED.
BUT THE JOB'S NOT DONE YET.
Keith: HEY, LET'S GO AHEAD AND PUT THAT RAMP DOWN.
PUT THAT RAMP DOWN.
Narrator: NOW THE WELL DECK CREW
HAS TO UNLOAD AN AMPHIBIOUS SUPPLY VEHICLE.
Keith: I CAN'T AFFORD TO RELAX.
CANNOT AFFORD TO RELAX.
Narrator: THE PROBLEM IS
THIS VEHICLE DOESN'T JUST LOOK LIKE A BATHTUB;
IT DRIVES LIKE ONE, TOO.
Keith: GOT TO TURN A COMPLETE CIRCLE AND THEN BACK HIM OUT.
TURN HIM HARD! TURN HIM HARD!
NO! KEEP COMING! YOU GOT THREE FEET!
KEEP COMING. KEEP COMING.
Narrator: AT LAST, THE CREW FINDS A PROPER RESTING PLACE
FOR THIS UNWIELDY BEAST.
Keith: ALRIGHT, CONTROL, BOATSWAIN.
WE JUST SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENT.
WE JUST TURNED HIM AROUND.
NO REST, NONE.
BUT WE WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.
Narrator: USS NEW YORK
STILL HAS TO PASS ANOTHER TWO WEEKS OF HARD TRAINING.
HER NEXT ASSIGNMENT: SINK OR BE SUNK.
Herrmann: THE SHIP WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT TO CARRY MARINES
AND TO BRING THE FORCE OVER.
NEITHER ONE OF US ARE REALLY AT OUR PEAK WHEN WE'RE SEPARATE.
BUT YOU BRING THE TWO OF US TOGETHER,
AND THERE'S VERY FEW MISSIONS THAT WE CAN'T ACCOMPLISH.
AND BEING ABLE TO DO THAT ON A DAILY BASIS
IS WHY I LOVE MY JOB.
Narrator: TODAY, NEW YORK'S CREW OF MARINES AND SAILORS
PREPARE TO AIRLIFT A MASSIVE PIECE OF ARTILLERY
FROM HER FLIGHT DECK TO SHORE.
STRETCHING OUT SOME 35 FEET, WEIGHING A DAUNTING 5 TONS,
THIS HOWITZER CANNON CAN DEMOLISH TARGETS
UP TO 15 MILES AWAY.
SINCE WORLD WAR II,
IT'S BEEN ESSENTIAL FIREPOWER ON ANY BEACH LANDING.
Herrmann: REALLY THE REASON WE'RE DOING THIS
IS TO SHOW THAT WE CAN PROVIDE ALL OF THE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
THAT THE FORCES ASHORE WOULD NEED FROM THE SEA.
Narrator: THIS IS THE FIRST TIME NEW YORK'S FLIGHT DECK CREW
HAS STAGED A HOWITZER FOR AN AIRLIFT.
THAT'S WHY THE NAVY CAPTAIN AND THE MARINE EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ARE HERE TO SEE IT FOR THEMSELVES.
Tommy: WE'RE JUST GOING TO DO ONE TODAY, SIR,
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE CAN GET THE OTHER ONE OUT TO SPOT TWO.
Narrator: DIRECTLY IN CHARGE IS THE AIR BOSS,
LIEUTENANT TOMMY CLARK, A NAVY HELICOPTER PILOT.
HE'S USUALLY UP IN THE CONTROL TOWER,
BUT TODAY HE ROAMS THE FLIGHT DECK,
HANDS ON.
Tommy: THIS RIGHT HERE IS WHAT WE DO FOR A LIVING,
THIS MOVING ON THE DECK, STAGING THE DECK,
MOVING BIRDS AROUND,
MAKING SPACE FOR EQUIPMENT TO COME UP AND GET FLOWN OFF.
Narrator: THE FIRST PART OF THIS OBSTACLE COURSE
IS TO MOVE THE HOWITZER OUT FROM THE STORAGE DECK
UP A STEEP RAMP TO THE FLIGHT DECK.
AT FIVE TONS, THE GUNS ARE DIFFICULT TO MOVE ON DRY LAND,
LET ALONE AIRLIFT FROM A MOVING SHIP.
Tommy: WE GOT TO CREATE SPACE.
THIS IS A MULTI-SPOT SHIP, BUT IT'S NOT VERY BIG.
SO WE'VE GOT SIX SPOTS ON HERE--
TWO MAINS AND FOUR EXPANDED SPOTS.
SO WE'VE GOT TO CONSTANTLY MAKE ROOM.
Narrator: THEY DON'T JUST NEED SPACE FOR THE HOWITZER.
THEY ALSO NEED ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE HELICOPTER
TO BE ABLE TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IF NECESSARY.
Tommy: I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS THAT LONG.
Narrator: TOMMY'S FIRST LOCATION DOESN'T WORK OUT.
Tommy: I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ENOUGH ROOM.
Narrator: AFTER MORE TRIAL AND ERROR,
TOMMY AND HIS TEAM DECIDE TO STAGE THE HOWITZER
NEAR THE SHIP'S STERN.
Man: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE,
GOING THAT WAY.
Narrator: NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE BIG LIFT.
TOMMY'S IN HIS USUAL SEAT,
IN THE AIR TOWER DIRECTING TRAFFIC.
Tommy: 3-0, YOU HAVE A GREEN DECK.
Narrator: A CH-53 SUPER STALLION
WILL LIFT THE MASSIVE HOWITZER.
THIS IS THE LARGEST, HEAVIEST HELICOPTER IN THE NAVY,
BOASTING THREE ENGINES GENERATING 13,000 HORSEPOWER.
A CREW MEMBER USES A GROUNDING ROD
TO DISCHARGE THE CHOPPER'S STATIC ELECTRICITY.
IN A MATTER OF SECONDS,
THE CREW ATTACHES THE STALLION'S SLINGS TO THE HOWITZER.
Tommy: CURRENTLY HOLDING WINDS OFF THE BOW
AT 18 KNOTS IN THE ENVELOPE.
Narrator: IN A REAL FIREFIGHT,
GETTING MARINES THIS WEAPON IN TIME
COULD BE A GAME CHANGER.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, NEW ORDERS COME IN:
SEEK AND DESTROY AN ENEMY SHIP.
ANOTHER NAVY VESSEL IS STANDING IN FOR THE TARGET.
Herrmann: THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED
AS THIS IS A HOSTILE SHIP OR A HOSTILE TRACK,
AND IT'S ALREADY BEEN CLEARED TO FIRE AGAINST THEM
AND TO SINK THEM.
Narrator: BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY.
THE ENEMY SHIP STARTS JAMMING NEW YORK'S GPS SYSTEM.
Woman: GPS1 AND GPS 2.
WE HAVE NO GPS 2 EITHER.
Narrator: THE CREW HAS TO MANUALLY TRACK THEIR COURSE.
AND THE CHASE BEGINS.
Man: GREEN DECK.
Narrator: THE CAPTAIN SENDS OUT AN ARMED COBRA
FOR A CLOSER LOOK
AND A POSSIBLE MISSILE ATTACK.
TOWER TAO...
INTENTIONS WILL BE TO SEND THE COBRA AHEAD
12 NAUTICAL MILES ON A COURSE OF 010.
Narrator: UNLEASHING 40,000 HORSEPOWER
FROM HER FOUR ENGINES,
USS NEW YORK HITS 22 KNOTS AND CLOSES IN ON THE ENEMY SHIP.
THE CAPTAIN READIES HIS GUNS FOR A KNOCKOUT STRIKE.
Herrmann: BETWEEN OUR WEAPONS AND THE AIRBORNE WEAPONS,
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE OUT THE TARGET. MAKE SENSE?
Man: YES, SIR.
Narrator: AT LAST, THE ENEMY SHIP IS IN RANGE.
NEW YORK IS READY TO DELIVER A DEVASTATING ASSAULT.
Herrmann: CAPTAIN.
LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE A CLEAR RANGE OF FIRE.
BATTERIES RELEASE, MOUNT 302.
Narrator: THE ENTIRE EXERCISE IS SIMULATED.
THEY GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS
WITHOUT ACTUALLY FIRING A HOT ROUND.
Man: CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE.
Narrator: BUT IN THIS SIMULATION,
THE CREW AND SHIP HAVE NAILED THEIR MISSION.
Herrmann: WE SANK IT. WE DESTROYED IT.
BETWEEN MY WEAPONS ONBOARD THE SHIP
AS WELL AS EVERYTHING THAT THE COBRA SHOT AT IT,
IT WAS MORE THAN IT COULD HANDLE.
SO IT'S NOTHING BUT A BURNING HULL THAT'S SLOWLY SINKING.
RUDDER AMIDSHIPS. Man: RUDDER AMIDSHIPS!
Narrator: IT'S BEEN ANOTHER LONG DAY FOR THE CREW.
BUT DOWN BELOW...A TREAT.
THE BIGGEST FOOTBALL GAME OF THE YEAR,
AND THE SHIP'S GALLEY HAS PREPARED AN ALL-AMERICAN FEAST.
Rafael: FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME,
SO IT'S AN UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL HOLIDAY.
[CHEERING]
Rafael: 10-9.
Narrator: IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH TEAM WINS THE GAME.
THE REAL WINNER IS MORALE,
THE BONDING BETWEEN SAILORS AND MARINES.
THEY'LL NEED ALL THE MORALE THEY CAN GET.
THAT'S BECAUSE THE NEXT MISSION
WILL BE THE BIGGEST AIR AND AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT
USS NEW YORK HAS EVER TACKLED.
FOR THE SAILORS AND MARINES ON BOARD USS NEW YORK,
THREE LONG WEEKS OF TRAINING BEFORE DEPLOYMENT
COME DOWN TO A FINAL MISSION,
THE TOUGHEST OF ALL.
Man: GOT DAILY'S.
Man: MERRILL? GOOD.
Narrator: LAUNCH A FULL-SCALE ASSAULT ON AN ENEMY BEACH,
FIND A BUILDING HIDING A WEAPONS CACHE,
OVERCOME HOSTILE RESISTANCE,
DESTROY THE CACHE.
Man: IF WE'RE THINKING OF THIS AS A PLAN,
WHO SHOULD GO FIRST?
Narrator: IN THIS ARMED EXERCISE,
NEW YORK WILL SAIL TO WITHIN TWO NAUTICAL MILES OF THE SHORE
AND DROP SCOUTS IN SPEEDBOATS.
THEY WILL GO ASHORE AND SURVEY THE LANDING ZONE.
NEW YORK WILL RETREAT TO INTERNATIONAL WATERS,
12 NAUTICAL MILES FROM SHORE.
THEN FULLY LOADED LCACs WILL TAKE MARINES AND THEIR GEAR
TO STORM THE BEACH AT NIGHT.
ONE LCAC WILL RETURN TO THE SHIP FOR ANOTHER LOAD.
AT EVERY STAGE, HELICOPTERS WILL PROVIDE AIR COVER.
Herrmann: AND NOW WE JUST HAVE TO EXECUTE AND PULL IT OFF.
Narrator: PHASE ONE OF THE INVASION:
GET SOME SLEEP WHILE YOU CAN.
Man: ONE, TWO, THREE.
Narrator: THEN, WITH NEW YORK MOVING AT ABOUT EIGHT KNOTS,
MARINE SCOUTS MOVE TO THE EDGE OF OPEN OCEAN.
AS NEW YORK APPROACHES THE DROP-OFF POINT,
WITH THE SUN SETTING,
THE STERN GATE IS LOWERED, AND THE SCOUTS ARE ON THEIR OWN.
THEY HEAD FOR THE TARGET ALMOST TWO MILES AWAY.
NEW YORK THEN PULLS BACK OVER THE HORIZON
AND OUT OF ENEMY SIGHT.
Man: RIGHT FULL RUDDER STEADY ON COURSE 255.
Man: RIGHT FULL RUDDER STEADY ON COURSE 255, AYE.
Narrator: THE CAPTAIN HAS TO WAIT
FOR THE SCOUTS' INTELLIGENCE
BEFORE THE INVASION FORCE IS LAUNCHED.
Herrmann: I KIND OF HAVE TO WEIGH ALL OF THOSE RISKS
AND MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE THE SHIP POSITIONED
IN THE RIGHT SPOT TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION
AT THE TIMELINE THAT THE MARINES HAVE
AND YET STILL KEEP THE SHIP NEW YORK SAFE
FROM ANY OF THE OTHER THREATS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
Narrator: DOWN BELOW,
THE INVASION FORCE GEARS UP FOR ACTION.
Man: RIGHT NOW IT'S TIME TO ROCK AND ROLL.
Troy: WHEN THEY TELL US TO LAUNCH, LAUNCH, LAUNCH,
WE'RE GOING TO LAUNCH, AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE
THEY MAKE THE BEACH AT THAT TIME
BECAUSE EVERYTHING HAS TO HIT THE BEACH AT THE SAME TIME.
BECAUSE IF WE GO IN THERE AND WE TAKE TOO LONG,
THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW THAT WE'RE COMING,
AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET AS MANY REINFORCEMENTS AS THEY CAN
AND TRY TAKING OUT AS MANY OF US IN THE PROCESS.
Man: 4 LAVs, A HUMVEE, AND...TO BE DETERMINED.
Herrmann: OKAY. YOU GUYS JUST GOT REFUELED, RIGHT?
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO NEED ANY GAS TONIGHT?
Man: NO, SIR.
Narrator: MARINE COMBAT CARGO OFFICER JEAN-PAUL CHAMORRO
WORKS WITH KEITH TO DIRECT TRAFFIC FROM THE STORAGE DECKS
TO THE WAITING LCACs.
Jean-Paul Chamarro: STAFF SAR, WHERE YOU GOING?
YOU'RE PARKING 'EM HERE?
ALRIGHT, YOU'RE GOING... HE'S GOING RIGHT HERE.
THAT'S FINE, OKAY, THAT'S FINE.
HAVE YOU BEEN TOLD WHERE YOU'RE GOING?
Narrator: ON THE BLACKED-OUT BRIDGE,
CAPTAIN HERRMANN RECEIVES AN INTELLIGENCE REPORT
FROM THE MARINE SCOUTS ON THE BEACH.
NEW YORK'S INVASION FORCE IS CLEARED TO LAUNCH.
Tommy: ALRIGHT, LET'S GO GREEN DECK.
Narrator: TRANSPORT AND ATTACK HELICOPTERS TAKE OFF
TO PROVIDE AIR COVER.
IN THE WELL DECK, LCACs LOADED WITH FULLY ARMED MARINES
LEAVE FOR THE BEACH.
Narrator: THE MARINES HAVE LEFT,
BUT THE WELL DECK CREW CAN'T TAKE A BREAK.
THEY MUST HAVE THE NEXT LOAD READY
WHEN THE HOVERCRAFTS RETURN.
Man: LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO,
LET'S GO, LET'S GO.
Keith: WE'RE THREE TO FIVE MINUTES BEHIND RIGHT NOW.
SO I'VE GOT TO MAKE THAT TIME UP RIGHT NOW
ON HOW WELL I GET THE VEHICLES DOWN THERE,
GET THEM POSITIONED FOR WHEN THE LCACs COME BACK.
YOU CAN'T BE ON THE RAMP IF IT'S GONNA COME DOWN.
BECAUSE IF THAT AAV LOSES ITS BRAKES,
IT'S GONNA GO RIGHT DOWN AND CRUSH HIM AND KILL HIM.
CAN'T BE ON THAT INCLINE LIKE THAT.
Jean-Paul: THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS MOVING,
THE SHIP IS MOVING, THE SHIP IS ROCKING,
WE'VE GOT WEATHER,
WE'VE GOT PEOPLE COMING IN AND GOING.
WE'RE GOING TO USE EVERY LITTLE BIT OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE.
IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE TIGHT,
BUT WE KIND OF EXPECTED THAT ALREADY.
CORPORAL DAVIS,
GET EVERYBODY THAT DOESN'T NEED TO BE HERE BACK.
Narrator: WITH NO TIME TO SPARE,
THE WELL DECK CREW LOADS TWO SEVEN-TON TRUCKS
AND MORE MARINES ONTO THE WAITING LCAC.
Keith: WE MADE PRETTY GOOD TIME WITH THAT.
I WAS CONCERNED INITIALLY
BECAUSE WE KIND OF FELL BEHIND IN THE TIMELINE
THREE TO FIVE MINUTES.
BUT WE MADE UP THE TIME, AS YOU GUYS CAN SEE.
Narrator: EVERYTHING THE MARINES NEED FOR THEIR INVASION
IS HEADED TO THE BEACH.
NOW THE SAILORS HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE
IF THEIR MARINE COMRADES CAN FIND AND DESTROY
THE ENEMY WEAPONS CACHE.
USS NEW YORK HOLDS POSITION
SOME 12 NAUTICAL MILES OFF SHORE.
HOVERCRAFTS MOVE MARINES AND GEAR FROM THE SHIP TO THE BEACH.
THEIR HELICOPTERS PATROL OVERHEAD.
ENEMY FORCES ON THE GROUND ARE READY TO FIGHT BACK.
THIS OPERATION IS CLASSIFIED.
THE MARINES CANNOT DIVULGE ANY DETAILS
ABOUT TROOP NUMBERS OR TACTICS.
BUT ONE THING IS CERTAIN--
THEIR PERFORMANCE HERE WILL DETERMINE
WHETHER THEY'RE READY FOR A REAL FIREFIGHT.
Man: GET UP THERE.
HEY, SPREAD IT OUT MORE.
Narrator: OUT AT SEA,
AIR BOSS TOMMY CLARK IS CONTROLLING AIR TRAFFIC.
HIS HELICOPTERS ARE CONSTANTLY RETURNING FROM THE BEACH
FOR RE-FUELING.
SUDDENLY, HE GETS WORD OF WOUNDED MARINES.
Tommy: THE REPORT WAS TWO INJURED PRETTY BADLY.
Narrator: THE INJURIES ARE SIMULATED,
BUT MEDICAL TEAMS AND AIR CREWS STILL NEED TO REACT
WITH SPLIT-SECOND TIMING.
Tommy: WE JUST GOT OUR SECTION OF OUR COBRA AND HUEY BACK
WITH SOME OF THE TROOPS THAT WERE INJURED.
Narrator: IT'S TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT.
THE MARINES HAVE BEEN ASHORE FOR FOUR HOURS.
IN THE WELL DECK, THE CREW WAITS FOR WORD OF SUCCESS OR FAILURE.
Jean-Paul: WE'RE WAITING FOR THOSE GUYS TO SHOW UP.
BUT THEY JUST ACTUALLY CLOSED THE STERN GATE.
WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON.
Narrator: IT'S AN ANXIOUS TIME.
EVEN 12 MILES FROM THE BEACH,
EVERYONE HERE IS COMPLETELY INVESTED IN THE MISSION.
AROUND MIDNIGHT, THEY GET NEWS FROM THE BRIDGE.
Jean-Paul: I'M HOPING THEY COME OVER THE RADIO
AND LET US KNOW THAT THEY'RE INBOUND.
Narrator: THE MARINES ARE COMING BACK.
THE VIRTUAL WEAPONS CACHE HAS BEEN FOUND AND DESTROYED.
IT'S MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
Jean-Paul: IT HAS BEEN A LONG DAY.
IT WENT REALLY WELL THOUGH.
WE TRIED TO DESTROY THAT ENEMY WEAPONS CACHE,
SO VERY SUCCESSFUL.
THE MARINES DID REALLY WELL, AS WELL AS THE LCAC CREWS.
THEY DID REALLY GOOD.
IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME ON THE SHIP.
Jean-Paul: WE'RE A TEAM, WE'RE FAMILY,
AND WE'RE READY TO DO WHAT THE NATION CALLS ON US FOR.
Narrator: THREE WEEKS OF HIGH-STAKES TRAINING
HAS COME TO A CLOSE.
NEW YORK'S CREW AND THEIR COMRADES
FROM THE 24th MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT
WERE PUSHED TO THE LIMIT.
AT EVERY TURN, THEY PROVED THEY'RE READY
FOR THE REAL FRONT LINES ON A FARAWAY SHORE.
THE NEXT DAY, THE MARINES DEPART.
THEY'LL LEAVE THE SAME WAY THEY ARRIVED--
BY HOVERCRAFT
AND FLOATING ARMORED CARRIERS...
HEADED TO THEIR BASE AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA.
BUT THEY'LL SOON BE BACK TO JOIN THEIR NAVY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
FOR THEIR FIRST DEPLOYMENT
ON BOARD A SHIP BUILT OUT OF THE ASHES OF 9-11.
Keith: THIS SHIP WAS BUILT ON LOST LIVES.
THE PEOPLE THAT DIED ON THAT DAY ARE DEPENDING ON US.
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING IN THAT CITY RIGHT NOW,
AND THE WHOLE WORLD,
ARE ACTUALLY DEPENDING ON US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET IT RIGHT.
Herrmann: THE SHIP REPRESENTS SOMETHING MORE
THAN JUST A USS NAVAL WARSHIP.
WE REPRESENT THE HOPE OF TOMORROW.
Troy: THIS SHIP IS BUILT FROM 9-11.
I MEAN, THE STEEL THAT FELL HAS RISEN AGAIN.
WE'RE THE PHOENIX THAT CAME OUT OF THAT FIRE.
I THINK THE WORLD KNOWS THAT.
I THINK I'M DAMN PROUD OF IT.
Rafael: THE ONLY WAY THAT I COULD SOMEHOW MAKE A DIFFERENCE
FOR WHAT HAPPENED
IS TO SERVE ON THIS SHIP.
THAT'S MY CONTRIBUTION.
Narrator: USS NEW YORK--
BRINGING TOGETHER THE MARINES AND THE NAVY
INTO ONE FIGHTING FORCE
TOUGH ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THE COUNTRY'S ENEMIES.
THEY WILL SERVE BY THEIR MOTTO:
NEVER FORGET.