Today, as many as 4,000 family members, friends, and guests went underway with the crew of Independence for an annual one day Friendship Cruise.

While at sea, the visitors had a chance to watch an air demonstration performed by Carrier Air Wing FIVE, a Marine Silent Drill Team show who traveled from Sasebo to perform, along with many static displays throughout the hangar bay and flight deck.

With Welcome Aboard (printed in Japanese and English) and Friendship Day pamphlets in hand, the mood was quickly set for the visitors as they entered the hangar bay which was draped in full honors with flags and banners for the occasion. Two live bands and two meals were served in the hangar bay which was the nerve center for the ship.

This underway period also gave many Sailors the chance to provide their guests with personal tours of the ship along with meeting pilots and aircrew from CVW-5.

"Independence is the only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier which puts her out to sea much of the year," said Lt. Cmdr. Terry Sutherland, Public Affairs Officer. "Friendship Cruise gives Sailors and Marines on board an opportunity to show their family members and friends they usually leave behind, a small taste of what we do underway."

Joy Williams, who joined her husband ABE2 Tony Williams said this cruise allowed her to now put a picture with the experiences her husband brings home.

"Seeing flight operations gave me a better understanding of what he does on a daily basis at sea," J. Williams added. "It also helps me renew my relationship after the month long cruise he just completed."

"For many Japanese, the presence of an aircraft carrier sparks a lot of curiosity," said Sutherland. "We hope this Friendship Cruise allows them to see we're not only a war fighting ship, but an ambassador of goodwill."

After seven hours out to sea, the ship returned to pier 8 and 9 in Yokosuka, Japan. Although the guests won't be sailing again with the Indy in the near future, each can now take with them an expanded knowledge of what life is like on that distant horizon which until now, was a mystery.