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

[@navymedia]

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! 💙👇

[@RogelioNinguno]

En los videos se ve demasiada comida tòxica. Poco saludable.

[@stacykeyes7566]

I was aboard the USS America!! CV-66

[@C.L-g9u]

I swam 500 yards to a bouy from the flight deck of the USS Simpson FFG-56 in 1993 to compete for SAR school during a steal beach pick nic. I won. I saw 2 sharks beneath me in 40 feet of crystal clear water. We then sailed on for the Shellback ceremony.

[@andrewmarshall360]

These men and women from navy, air force , army and marines deserve this more than 99 % of the people currently residing in this country.

[@ampatriotsmith9545]

Very true; we"te spoiled

[@manueltubens535]

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.

[@ssarsi]

And your elected politicians allowed evil people to invade your country. yes. your southern border is open. Your family and friends are not safe

[@Loki-ny9qy]

the dick riding is crazy 😂

[@anthonyzheng7274]

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

[@sebastianliu2009]

AWWWWW!!!! STEEL BEACH PICNIC IS THE SH******T!!!! Except with your cranking, then you have setup and clean up which really sucks!!! Missed those days and those dry burger patties LOL

[@RetiredSailor60]

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

[@briancottrell1583]

My Father Keith C was stationed onboard the Semmes. He was a FC.

[@SB-gd7mh]

I love just how much emphasis is placed on what breaks do for morale, as if it’s a truly unfathomable concept, christ

[@neil7813]

Love to see all these men and women enjoying some sense of normalcy given their working conditions being so far from home, friends, and family. Thank you all for your service to the country.

[@jrmotorsports5532]

Nice that the NAVY can do things like this to help with morale.

[@willard398]

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.

[@thewilliam8342]

The Navy probably has some of the best cooks in the world !

[@danielwymer1580]

NO

[@f100sCUSTOMSCLASSICS]

Had one on USS Independence in 1981 also had a 2- beer day!

[@jimrains1932]

USS Peliliu 1988 several in a 6 month float. Marine corporal from HMLA 169 attached to HMM 164 Knightriders. Always enjoyed them.

[@mike_holdread]

Very gratifying to see that these events exist.

[@erickkurz3696]

haha....if we were in port...and you submitted your properly filled out your SPECIAL REQUEST CHIT you could get your birthday off.

[@TheTurk56523]

I had 2 Steel Beach picnics on the USS Saratoga during DS1. Great times.

[@eugenearokiasamy5662]

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.

[@TerryT0114]

Do you really think they're going to sink one of those? The Houthis?

[@clementgoetke2385]

i bet you bring joy to every party you go to

[@amygates245]

When you on board, the ship food is over load everybody having a great time. I'm not a military personel but I'm a contractor worker I witness how much food and people enjoying there meals sometimes they share thier food not all the time . But I'm happy and glad working a humongous ship like this. God bless America 🇱🇷👍👊💪💪👊👍🇱🇷💪👊👍🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷

[@elessartelcontar9415]

Sweet tea, pulled pork sandwich, BBQ beans hold the handgrenades, potato salad, coleslaw w/extra cordite. Yum!

[@k4vms]

YUM YUM !!!!! Ricky from IBM

[@princearthur4946]

May God always bless and protect our service men and women in uniform!!!

[@MirandaCallahan-p4f]

Thank you all for your service you deserved it for all your hard work and dedication and putting your lives on the line

[@markbuker5]

Took part in several of these events during my time with the Blue Water Boys on The America (CV66), The Ike (CVN69) and The Carl Vinson (CVN70) in the late 80s/early 90s. Good times and great friends. Great job Navy from a Marine. Semper Fi

[@billanderson839]

CVN68 is the USS Nimitz. I spent over a year on that carrier back in 75 to 77.

[@markbuker5]

@@billanderson839 My bad, you are absolutely correct, I must have fat fingered that when typing. Corrected it ✌️

[@manueltubens535]

👍👍👍

[@kellywilson8440]

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 !

[@f100sCUSTOMSCLASSICS]

I was on the Coral Sea 82-83. Never had a steel beach picnic that I remember

[@perrywinkle8183]

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.

[@joeromano5422]

Had the privilege and honor to have served with Carrier Air Wing 17 ,Attack Squadron 83,USS Forrestal CV-59 and the USS Saratoga CV-60,and experience a steel beach picnic! It was an unforgettable time of fun, camaraderie ,and some good down time from the arduous conditions at sea.1981-1984 AMS-1 Romano

[@drmrcharliestat]

My best friend was stationed on board The Forestall as a quarter master in 77 ,I was stationed on the USS FORT SNELLING LSD-30 amphibious ship . We got together and I took liberty boat never knew they had a extra quarter deck under the front of the flight deck in case the the tower gets taken out 5000 sailers on board it a small city, compared to 300 & 300 marines recon a a dozen Seal UDT to map the beach for landing zone. Did a lot of landings were they filed “plant of the apes, and all of Clint Eastwoods spaghetti Westerns Sardinia Italy. 74/78

[@C.L-g9u]

I swam 500 yards to a bouy from the flight deck of the USS Simpson FFG-56 in 1993 to compete for SAR school. I won. I saw 2 sharks beneath me in 40 feet of crystal clear water.

[@michaeltanner6850]

Had mine on USS Tarawa LHA-1 (2) and USS Carl Vinson CVN-70. Always looked forward to them.

[@bender7565]

It seems to have changed since 98', on your 45th day at sea DX got the day off and there were burgers, dogs and 2 complimentary beers. I got my butt out of the rack for my beers. Flight ops wrapped up early the night before but we were back at it the following night. 4 picnics all on the TR and got cheated out of one cause we pulled into Turkey on the 45th day, I got over it. Towards the last 2 the USN was offering a gift card to the ships store in lieu of beer. It wasn't hard to find some shipmates to sell this chief their beers for cash.

[@charlesburke2379]

I was in the Marines with the 6th fleet. And this ritual was great except it was never chow hall food they would chopper in a hundreds of steaks prepared on these giant charcoal grills on deck. And with Russian hunter-killer submarines stalking the task force that's the least fleet HQ could do.

[@danielwymer1580]

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 !!!!!

[@jimwjohnq.public]

The only steel beach picnic we had was when we crossed the equator. That was it. And swim calls? On all the ships I was on they never had a swim call. The only ones who got a swim call were the ones who either jumped or got blown off the flight deck.

[@andrewmarshall360]

2 burgers, 2dogs , bbq chicken with baked beans and potato salad .

[@danr5239]

The rules most expensive taxpayer dollars barbecue party for people who will never see war.

[@ampatriotsmith9545]

Whatever makes them happy, I'm all for it! God bless them

[@kennethfrancis7503]

Where are all the heavy machinery eg helicopters fighter jet etc.are stored?

[@jimmylieb5225]

I wonder how much space aboard a submarine or aircraft carrier is devoted to food storage?

[@johnstapleton8874]

Nah, they just got extended so this isn’t anything important 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MarkM58]

I think the video creators need to take a course on salad identification.

[@Tailhooker2024]

Having spent many years on sea duty…how well I know about steel beach. The best Skipper ever; he knew how to pull a beach party together. CAPTAIN “Snuffy Smith” USS America CV 66. We did all the things you talked about in the video and them some. The CAG LSO “Lites” had a motor whale boat race around the ship, with the Navagator of the ship. That was back in the beer days on the ship after 60 consecetive days at sea with no port! We only had 5 days ashore in a 7 month cruise. We made the best of it. No internet in those days. Mail call was sacred event. I remember one steel beach day ended with our supply ship,heading into Masirah. ….Snuffy Smith arranged for a C-141 “Hit” at the airfield. No parts, no supplies, just way over due mail our first in over 3 weeks! They must have have had 20 CH-46 VERTREP’ED over. Dam fine day…….As in the words of Captain Snuffy Smith….”.KAPO! Kick Ass and….press on”

[@frankscanlon801]

I had a skipper called Hollywood. That man was the best. Still remember him 30yrs later.

[@peteb7992]

The best food is on a nuclear sub ..case closed …..0h ohhh pun pun

[@elessartelcontar9415]

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.

[@philchurch1115]

USS Ranger CV-61 Jul83 to Feb 84 west pac,with VS-33 and our steel beach turned out to be one week because the motor that pulled up the anchor burned out, so one week of nothing to do and it sure felt good after four months straight.

[@williamwalker187]

My father was stationed on the USS Saratoga (CV-60) and I enjoyed family days, similar to what they have. We go out to sea and enjoy a good time with friends and family and food

[@LiPo5000]

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.

[@geraldsellers9096]

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.

[@edzeljereza8234]

Aaaaah......the memories of glory days gone by. Hooyah my brothers and sisters in the Navy!

[@leosaura1993]

The U.S Navy take much better care of there people then federal state local governments.

[@taylorboyd3308]

I have a feeling these events don’t occur often enough. What is the average cadence for these brief respites?

[@babuvarghese6786]

Amazing Thank you ! 💖👌🙏

[@nghiam8435]

I would re-enlisted again if IAM 50 years younger . 👍

[@PaulJohnson-lv6tt]

Had a few steel beach picnics, but it sucks when your on watch

[@amygates245]

Looks like they having a great time ❤💪👊👍🇱🇷

[@leviluchavez6880]

Dabest 🇵🇭 🇺🇲 ❤

[@ampatriotsmith9545]

Great!

[@Dannydelavega-u4m]

I believe that GODS those BOYS N Girls

[@JeffreyFernandez-td7uf]

I love that

[@ПетърИванов-ю9й]

Great 😊! Awesome!🎉 America is America!😮🎉

[@Strato13]

I'm all for it. Our service men and women deserve the very best, and it's not like they can just drive to a Trader Joe's. I kinda envy them, truthfully. I wish I'd have joined the Navy and not the US Army out of H.S. In hindsight, it seems like the US Navy is the way to go for young adults.

[@kerry-j4m]

Strato,I served in both the navy and the army ( tho not at the same time-LOL ) I was stationed at Ft Hood,Tx-in 1st Cav Div ( One of the worse run div I've ever seen ) within a few months I knew I wasn't gonna reenlist.So,I saved my money and leave,I was in a line-unit-HHC-2-5 Cav-and HHC-2/8 Cav-went to the field-OFTEN.My sgts were-TRASH-and lazy too. Within 3 months in the army,me and my platoon sgt went hands on with each other.LOL. He invited me to meet him at the wood-line and I accepted. LOL.He didn't know I was a 2nd degree blackbelt in Ken-Po karate and had him eating dust in no time. And,yes I enjoyed doing it.I came into the army as an E-4 ( had my E-5 in the navy ) but,prior service navy couldn't come in as an E-5.Had 2 bum-&&& E-4s promoted ahead of me,my 1st Sgt sent me to the promotion board and then-PLDC ( It was PLDC when I was in ) if not for my skirt-chasing I'd have hated the army-TRULY. LOL.Got my E-5 back ( I was a cook and the points were low for E-5 and E-6 ) got my E-6 before I bounced.To me the army treats it's personnel like garbage,likes to play mind-games and enjoys tormenting people.The main thing the army has over the navy is their training schools and leadership schools.

[@Strato13]

@@kerry-j4m I agree, but still believe that the USN, and USAF are better for their technical knowledge, and overall tech. I really wish I'd of joined the Navy. Perhaps, I could have served aboard and Aircraft Carrier, or Destroyer. Seems like it would have been more thrilling, and to a lot of degree, more challenging. Of course, the Army offers better combat training, which is by design, anyway since the Navy depend on the Marines.

[@kerry-j4m]

@@Strato13 I served aboard 2 aircraft carriers and it was challenging at times,but,like anything in life you get used to it eventually.The new carriers are much bigger than when I served aboard them.We had a crew of between 2,000/3,000,now it's 3,500/4,000 crew.And carriers go all over the world too,most countries welcome them,but,there're some countries don't want a floating nuclear,power plant anywhere near their country. LOL. Most countries see a carrier as a-FLOATING-atm machine and welcome the revenue sailors put into their economy.But,the down side of carriers are sailors also bring crimes to that country they visit,assaults,bar-room brawls,disrespect to the nationals there,theft,etc,etc,.there're always sailors acting up.The line to go to-CAPTAIN"S-MAST-is always long after shore leave. LOL. GO-NAVY !!!

[@sovanrithnoun2870]

so happy

[@ronaldneehao9723]

Huge respect to our navy 😅

[@sgsnestorsgsnestorsuliva7778]

Awesome & Godspeed...

[@dengarrenegade2594]

Wow

[@SrikarKura]

Super!

[@Campero1115]

Viva EEUU.

[@AndrewGrey22]

And there are no flies and insects getting on the food when you are out to sea?

[@badassbada1784]

hahaha

[@RetiredSailor60]

No there isn't. Best part of the picnic. No pests...

[@dtocksdtocks]

In my two steel beaches, beer was also part of the party and I fully enjoyed it :) In my time, steel beaches happened when we didn’t hit land for 2 months. Not sure if that requirement is still in place, but nonetheless, I enjoyed steel beaches.

[@brambob9510]

Let them have 5 beers each, its America isn't it?

[@wecanwatersports4151]

Thank you for your service sailors!🫡