The sound of an AV-8 Harrier aircraft taking off from the flight deck, the ship rocking in the middle of the ocean, or seeing nothing but blue water in front of the horizon are just part of the life of Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).

To their friends and family members these things exist only in sea stories. However, from May 1-3, many family members and friends, or "Tigers," had the opportunity to experience life at sea firsthand when Kearsarge hosted a Tiger Cruise at the end of her seven-month deployment.

"A Tiger Cruise is a unique opportunity for the families and friends of our Sailors and Marines to come aboard a Navy warship and experience life at sea," said Lt. Michael Greenstreet, Tiger Cruise coordinator. "It gives them a chance to see what their loved ones have been doing for the last seven months."

The Tigers had the chance to not only see what life is like for their Sailor or Marine, but also to learn what they do for the military. It was a two-day show-and-tell in an 844-foot classroom.

"It was interesting seeing my Sailor in his work environment that he's been in for so long," said Evan Bollinger. "It was nice to see what he does and how he does it. I remember him being a seaman on this ship and now he is a [petty officer] second class."

There was an ice cream social and a karaoke party the first night, with a weapons display and a flyover from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 the second day.

"My favorite activity was the .50-caliber gun shoot," said Bollinger. "It was exhilarating; you could almost feel the recoil. It was really cool."

The ship held several activities in the hangar bay for the crew and Tigers. The ship's culinary specialists also provided hamburgers, hot dogs and other backyard-style foods in the galley while the games were taking place.

"Our Sailors and their families enjoyed everything from cornhole to a small-arms weapons display in the hangar bay," said Brooke Webber, the ship's fun boss. "We also had some of our crew's firefighting suits laid out for the Tigers and their families to try on."

"It was nice to have a day off with my family," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) Airman Nickolas Howard. "All the activities in the hangar bay made me feel like a kid again. I felt like I was at a fair. My favorite was the can-jam game. I played with my mom and we totally won."

At night, the Tigers slept in the berthings to get the full shipboard experience.

"Sleeping in the racks was cramped," said Bollinger. "There was hardly any room, but I think I could sleep there for seven months if I had to."

Many of the shipboard life experiences may seem ordinary and routine to the crew, but for many of the Tigers, it was the first time they have stepped foot on a naval vessel -- especially while at sea.

"When I saw the Tigers enjoying the ship for the first time, it actually made me enjoy it with them," said Webber. "The crew does the same thing day in and day out, but everything was new for the Tigers. I think they had a big impact on the whole crew."

Tiger Cruises are a way for the Navy to show friends and family what life on a warship is like, boost morale for both Sailors and Marines and strengthen relationships with the friends and families who support.

"The Tiger Cruise made me realize the purpose of this ship is to transport Marines to land, but more importantly, it allowed me see my mom," said Zachary Fairchild. "It was great seeing her on the ship; we may not have this opportunity again."

For more news from Expeditionary Strike Group 2, visit
http://www.navy.mil/.