Steak Team Mission Grills for Team Carl Vinson

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Travis Alston, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

USS Carl Vinson, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, enjoyed made-to-order steaks provided by the Steak Team Mission during a steel beach picnic on the ship's flight deck Feb. 8.

The organization shipped, prepared and served more than 5,000 steaks for the crew.

"I was fortunate enough to join the group this time because they needed additional help," said Michael Kahn, a Steak Team Mission member. "We really appreciate what you guys do. We try to show our support state-side as much as possible. Being deployed, you guys don't have the opportunity to see that, so coming out here and showing our support first-hand really made this trip joyous."

Sailors flocked to the flight deck for the steel beach picnic to get a fillet, along with all the fixings. Various ship organizations assisted with food preparations, making it one of the most successful picnics on board the ship.

"A lot of Sailors were looking forward to having a good steak," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) 1st Class Nakari McWhorter, a member of Carl Vinson's first class petty officer association. "The lines were long, but moved quickly due to the help of my shipmates."

McWhorter added that events likes these make deployment easier.

"No matter what the occasion may be, nothing can replace the joy I get from being home with my family," said McWhorter. "But the fact that the command makes tremendous efforts to accommodate the crew during this deployment is outstanding. The mission never stops, but this was a much needed break."

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) is currently conducting flight operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the area conducting maritime security operations, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, and theater security cooperation efforts