 As the crew of USS Antietam conduct an underway operational test to prepare for their deployment, they also entertain some special guests. Family and friends got to experience life at sea for a day with a family and friends day cruise. They get to see us and see what it is that we do and it becomes a little bit more real. It's a little bit better for the families as we are thousands of miles away for them to realize or picture what it is that we do every day. This is a rare opportunity for friends and family but it also proved to be a special opportunity for sailors. We don't have barbecues every day and we don't get to spray the fire hose off the fan tail but you know we do a lot of training and so a lot of that works out well. Friends and family of USS Antietam sailors can also look forward to an upcoming Tiger cruise where loved ones can join their sailors for a few days. Ready Officer Kirk Putnam, Yokozka Naval Base, Japan.