Easley native mans a recovery station in the primary flight control

Aboard the USS Nimitz
Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Grady Cartlidge (left), from Easley, S.C., and Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Patricia Beltran (right), from Los Angeles, man recovery stations in primary flight control of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Grady Cartlidge (left), from Easley, S.C., and Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Patricia Beltran (right), from Los Angeles, man recovery stations in primary flight control of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Photo credit US Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Elliot Schaudt/Released

Easley native Grady Cartlidge, 2nd Class, recently manned the USS Nimitz’s recovery station in its primary flight control, as pictured above.

The 2nd Class Petty Officer from Easley found himself at the helm of the recovery station of a veteran of the seas in the US Navy.

The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) was originally commissioned by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. in Newport News, Virginia in 1967 for roughly $816 million after accounting for inflation, and it was later delivered to the US Navy in 1975.

Ships of its class have an average lifespan of about 50 years and is thus projected to be replaced within the next few years.

The USS Nimitz is an aircraft carrier and the flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. A press release from the Navy said that it is currently “deployed to the U.S. 5th fleet area of operations and is conducting missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and maritime security operations alongside regional and coalition partners.”

Featured Image Photo Credit: US Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Elliot Schaudt/Released