This Day in Naval History - Aug. 09

From the Navy News Service

1815 - Captain Stephen Decatur concludes treaty for the United States with Tripoli.

1842 - Signing of Webster-Ashburton Treaty under which United States and Great Britain agreed to cooperate in suppressing the slave trade.

1865 - Return of Naval Academy to Annapolis after four years at Newport, R.I.

1919 - Construction of rigid airship Shenandoah (ZR 1) is authorized.

1941 - Atlantic Charter Conference is first meeting between President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.

1942 - Battle of Savo Island begins; First of many sea battles near Guadalcanal.

1945 - Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. Navy weaponeer arms the atomic bomb.

1949 - First use of pilot-ejection seat for emergency escape in U.S. made by Lt. Jack I. Fruin of VF-171 near Walterboro, S.C.

George H.W. Bush Departs Bahrain, Returns to Sea

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jessica Echerri, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) resumed underway operations July 14, after completing a four-day port visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Sailors participated in recreational and cultural tours sponsored by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program and volunteered in four community relation (COMREL) projects.

More than 750 Sailors purchased tickets for discounted tours offered by MWR. Sailors experienced the cultural side of Bahrain, with food tastings and a tour of the Grand Mosque, as well as the recreational side while swimming with dolphins, fishing, golfing and going to a local water park. MWR subsidized more than 30 percent of the costs of the tours.

"The water park tour was a great way to stay cool in the heat," said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Laron Cooke. "Everyone got together after riding the slides to play water volleyball. It was a blast."

Additionally, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain offered Sailors the use of their sports facilities and MWR set up basketball, softball and flag football tournaments aboard the base.

"Playing pick up games of basketball with fellow Sailors was exciting and enjoyable," said Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Fernando Landeros.

The ship's Command Religious Ministries Department organized several COMRELs during the port visit.

The Sailors played a soccer match with a local Bahraini soccer team, tutored children in English, math and art at the Regional Institute for Active Learning and visited with residents of a local women's shelter.

"It's important to give back to the community, no matter what community you're in," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Kendrah Agostini, who participated in a COMREL at the women's shelter. "It's rewarding to take some of our limited liberty time and give to a good cause."

This was the fourth scheduled port visit for George H.W. Bush, which entered the 5th Fleet area of responsibility June 18.

George H.W. Bush Strike Group is made up of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, aircraft-carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, guided-missile cruisers USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Anzio (CG 68) and guided-missile destroyers USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103).

Eisenhower, Enterprise Sail Together in Atlantic Ocean

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zach Martin, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The nuclear-powered aircraft carriers USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) crossed paths in the Atlantic Ocean off the East Coast July 14.

Enterprise, on its way home from a regularly-scheduled seven-month deployment to the 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility, had just picked up its crew's family members from Mayport, Fl., for a Tiger Cruise. Eisenhower was off the Southeastern Coast conducting a carrier qualification (CQ) for squadrons around the country.

The common link between the two ships was Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, Enterprise's commanding officer (CO), who was returning home from his third deployment as CO of a carrier in three years. Mewbourne had previously commanded Eisenhower during two deployments in 2009 and 2010.

The ships spent some time alongside each other, and photos were snapped from helicopters in the air and from Sailors and their families on both ships.

"To our embarked Tigers, it provided the extremely rare opportunity to witness flight operations from a uniquely powerful perch while also seeing a truly magnificent ship and crew in action. For me, it provided a moment of utter humility and supreme thankfulness for the blessings I was given in command of both ships [and] to work with incredibly dedicated and talented people in making America proud," said Mewbourne.

Capt. Marcus A. Hitchcock, Eisenhower's commanding officer, said the opportunity for the two ships to meet, exchange greetings and say 'welcome home' to returning heroes was an important event for both ship's crews.

"We flew some of our Sailors off the ship to Norfolk to visit their spouses and family members who are returning from deployment on Enterprise," Hitchcock said. "To be able to do that for both crews was a great demonstration of our commitment to the morale of our Sailors."

The two meeting occurred safely even with Eisenhower conducting flight operations for CQ during the entire evolution.

Enterprise's family members were able to not only see their ship's air power demonstration earlier in the day, but Eisenhower pilots conducting flight operations.

"Being able to come alongside the Enterprise was amazing," Hitchcock said. "Capt. Mewbourne took most of this crew through two deployments. Giving him the opportunity to see Eisenhower in action one more time was a poignant moment for everyone and we are very proud of him and the entire Enterprise team."

First Trap for Eisenhower Since 2010 Cruise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Burgess, Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Marshall and Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Rob Rupp, USS Eisenhower Public Affairs

USS DWIGHT EISENHOWER, Atlantic Ocean (NNS) -- A pilot of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-131) "Wildcats," landed the first aircraft aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) as squadrons began conducting training command carrier qualifications (CQ) off the Atlantic coast, June 28.

Two weeks ago, IKE departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard after a nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) to return to their homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Since leaving the shipyards, Sailors aboard IKE have been training in preparation for what is scheduled to be a monumental achievement in carrier qualifications.

"Today was a fantastic day," said Master Chief Gregg Snaza, IKE command master chief. "It's great to see the first bird on deck."

This first carrier arrested landing, or "trap," was performed in an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and marked the beginning of a long-awaited CQ for IKE and her crew who recently returned to home port.

An arrested landing is different from most aircraft landings and involves catching a hook attached to the aircraft on one of four steel cables stretched across the flight deck of a carrier. The "trap" brings the aircraft to a complete stop in roughly 325 feet.

During this CQ, pilots must successfully execute 10 "traps," along with four "touch and go's." A "touch and go" is when aircraft lands on the flight deck and immediately takes off without catching the arresting wire.

"Making this first catch is a result of nine months of preparation," said Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) Darrin Campbell, leading chief petty officer for IKE's Air Department. "Without the crew, or the rest of the fleet for that matter, none of this would be possible."

Aviation Boatswains Mate (Electronics) Third Class James Tilton from V-2 Division, Air Department, kept watch on the arresting wire engine one when the plane touched down.

"Usually I'm a hook runner," said Tilton. "After the aircraft lands and is clear of the arresting wire, the hook runner tells the deck edge when to retract the wire."

But today, Tilton was in the right place at the right time and assisted in making history on IKE.

"I wasn't expecting the aircraft to catch on engine one," said Tilton. "It brings back old memories, trapping aircraft again. It feels good knowing I'm doing my job."

Between Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) and Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7), 630 traps are scheduled aboard IKE's flight deck during this CQ. This will be more "traps" than any other carrier has ever attempted in one qualification period.

"It's my first time catching fixed-wing aircraft aboard IKE," said Cmdr. William S. Anderson, IKE's air boss. "But it's outstanding to be out here doing it again."

CQ is a crucial part of putting IKE back to sea, so each landing is closely monitored by landing signal officers (LSO) and graded based on how well it was performed.

"It's been a long time since we've launched and recovered aircraft," said Snaza. "Today makes the transition for IKE's operational readiness. We're back."

This Day in Naval History - April 08

From the Navy News Service

1925 - The first planned night landings on a carrier take place aboard USS Langley (CV 1).

1950 - An unarmed Navy patrol aircraft is shot down over the Baltic Sea by the Soviet Union.

1951 - The first of four detonations occurs during Operation Greenhouse nuclear test.

USS John C. Stennis Now Operating in Persian Gulf

American Forces Press Service

March 27, 2007 – The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis entered the Persian Gulf today escorted by the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam. While in the gulf, the flagship of the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group and its air wing, Carrier Air Wing 9, will conduct a dual-carrier exercise with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. This marks the first time the Stennis and Eisenhower strike groups have operated together in a joint exercise while deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

"This exercise demonstrates the importance of both strike groups' ability to plan and conduct dual task force operations as part of the U.S. long-standing commitment to maintaining maritime security and stability in this region," officials said.

Two air wings from the aircraft carriers will conduct air warfare exercises, while the surface components will conduct exercises in three general disciplines: anti-submarine, anti-surface and mine warfare.

John C. Stennis left its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., on Jan. 16 for deployment and began operating alongside coalition maritime forces in the region Feb. 19. After arriving, the strike group began conducting maritime security operations and providing direct support to coalition ground forces participating in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. During the 33 days of operations over Afghanistan, Carrier Air Wing 9 provided close-air support and reconnaissance to International Security Assistance Force troops on the ground.

Maritime security operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material, officials said.

The Carrier Air Wing 9 squadrons include the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron 154, "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron 146, "Argonauts" of Strike Fighter Squadron 147, "Death Rattlers" of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 323, "Yellowjackets" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 138, "Golden Hawks" of Carrier Early Warning Squadron 112, "Topcats" of Sea Control Squadron 31, "Eightballers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 8, and "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30.

The John C. Stennis Strike Group includes John C. Stennis, Carrier Air Wing 9, Destroyer Squadron 21, USS Antietam, the guided-missile destroyers USS O'Kane and USS Preble, and the fast combat-support ship USNS Bridge. More than 6,500 sailors and Marines are assigned to the strike group.

Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.

Navy Names New Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford

Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced today the selection of USS Gerald R. Ford as the name of the first aircraft carrier in what will be the Gerald R. Ford class of carriers.

This selection honors the 38th President of the United States and pays tribute to his lifetime of service in the Navy, in the U.S. government and to the nation. "President Gerald R. Ford provided the United States great leadership at a time of constitutional crisis," said Winter. "I am honored to have the opportunity to name the first ship in the new class of aircraft carriers after this great sailor, this great leader, this great man."

Born in Omaha, Neb., in 1913, he grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich. He starred on the University of Michigan football team where he was a center and team most valuable player in 1934. After graduation he attended Yale Law School, where he served as assistant football coach while earning his law degree. During World War II he attained the rank of lieutenant commander in the Navy, and served on the light carrier, the USS Monterey. After the war he returned to Grand Rapids, where he began the practice of law, and entered political life.

Ford was the first Vice President chosen under the terms of the Twenty-fifth Amendment and, in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, succeeded the first President ever to resign; serving as the 37th Vice President (1973-1974) and the 38th President of the United States (1974-1977). Prior to becoming Vice President, he served for more than eight years as the Republican Minority Leader of the House of Representatives as a representative from Michigan's 5th congressional district. The USS Gerald R. Ford will be the premier forward asset for crisis response and early decisive striking power in a major combat operation. The carrier and the carrier strike group will provide forward presence, rapid response, endurance on station, and multi-mission capability.

The USS Gerald R. Ford and subsequent Ford class carriers will provide improved war fighting capability, quality of life improvements for sailors and reduced acquisition and life cycle costs.

Article sponsored by military and police personnel who have become authors; and criminal justice leadership online.