During Operation Desert Storm, the skipper kept us at sea for 47 days straight so he wouldn't have to give us a steel beach picnic and BEER. He was trying to avoid any alcohol-related incidents under his command. We finally pulled into Dubai on the 4th of July and we had been told there was no reason to go ashore as there was going to be a USO show on the Nimitz and good food on the mess decks in celebration of Independence Day. Soon as liberty was called away, I found myself in a long line of sailors stretching from the forward hangar bay to the fantail where they were checking IDs, haircuts, etc., before letting us get on the boats going in to the dock. I see some lieutenant come walking down the line escorting an absolutely gorgeous woman in full make-up and updo and she's looking at all us guys streaming off the carrier like rats leaving a sinking ship. When they were about 10 feet from me, that heavenly gal stops and says to the lieutenant, "Do they know there is going to be a USO show?" The lieutenant replies, "Oh, this is just a small part of the ships complement, most of the men are still here." She nods and they walk on. You could tell he was a born sailor by way he lied to that hottie without missing a beat. I went ashore and I don't remember what we were drinking, but it was probably Fosters. Watching hot girls dance or drinking beer? Beer wins again.
