Aviate, Navigate, Communicate

Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. The training behind these three words saved the life of my friend, Navy Pilot Ron Carlson as he flew a night mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom soon after the events of 9/11.

His S-3 Viking’s cockpit filled with smoke several seconds after takeoff from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

With lost electronics and communication, Carlson had two choices: to eject into the water where the possibility of being found at night was remote or risk landing on the carrier which was now obvious only by a small deck light in the darkness.

During those few intense moments, Commander Carlson did exactly as he was trained: he aviated – by retaining control of the plane, he navigated – by keeping the one small light from the carrier in sight, and he tried to communicate with the ship – though unsuccessfully!

What is it that compels a Navy Pilot to trust in the training he had received during the course of a career?

I’m not sure what goes on in the brain of a Navy Aviator but Commander Carlson’s very real dilemma reminds me of a fundamental question of greater importance that each of us must answer. Can we trust in a God we can’t see especially when times are tough?

Many of our residents struggle mightily to trust others. Each remembers a time when they did extend trust to someone only to receive abuse and harm from the one deemed trustworthy. And each carries a lingering fear that broken trust is the norm and trust in God is as futile.

How can we – resident and staff member alike – learn to trust in the God who is there especially when life makes no sense?

By the way then Commander, now Captain Ron Carlson, did survive the crash landing on the deck of the Roosevelt. And he returned to complete his tour of duty.

- Steve Brubaker - Chief Vision Officer, Water Street Ministries

(Images given with the permission to document this experience)