Aircraft Carrier News Surely Worth a Thread of its Own

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Times:

Kitty Hawk sailors wait out Hong Kong delay

quote:

HONG KONG – Thousands of U.S. sailors expecting to spend Thanksgiving in Hong Kong were still on their ships Wednesday, waiting for permission to enter Hong Kong waters, U.S. and Hong Kong officials said.

The carrier Kitty Hawk and its support ships had been expected to arrive in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning for a five-day visit, but they were delayed due to problems with “administrative arrangements,” the U.S. consulate said in a statement.

For the rest, go to http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_kittyhawk_071121/

Comment: There's nothing quite like a bureaucratic SNAFU to ruin a holiday.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Two notable stories from The Navy Times:

Winter visits as Big E wraps Gulf mission

quote:

ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER ENTERPRISE, IN THE PERSIAN GULF – Jets launching from the Navy’s oldest nuclear flattop in service wrapped up combat operations after a gusty day on the water Saturday, flying their final missions into Iraq.

The carrier simultaneously launched combat operations into Afghanistan and Iraq beginning in August. About 20 percent of F/A-18 Hornets taking off on the final day of combat operations were flying into Iraq, while the rest were performing maritime security missions over the Persian Gulf, according to Lt. Mark Jones, a spokesman for the carrier.

For the rest, see http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/navy_enterprise_071126w/

Comment: The Enterprise is expected to return to her home port, Norfolk, by Christmas. Happy holidays, shipmates. You've earned it.

China snubs perplex Roughead, Keating

quote:

Two of the Navy’s top admirals said Tuesday that China’s refusal to let a U.S. aircraft carrier make a Thanksgiving port call at Hong Kong was surprising and troubling.

“This is perplexing. It’s not helpful,” Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of Pacific Command, told reporters in a videoteleconference from his headquarters at Camp Smith, Hawaii. He also called it distressing and irritating but later said it should not be viewed as “calamitous.”

For the rest, go to http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_kittyhawk_071127/

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Times:

Navy whisks girl from cruise ship for surgery

quote:

An ailing 14-year-old Illinois girl on a Pacific Ocean cruise took an unscheduled side trip Saturday – she was plucked by helicopter from the deck of her cruise ship and flown to the carrier Ronald Reagan for emergency appendix surgery.

For the rest, see http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/12/navy_appendix_rescue_071217w/

Comment: Damned fine show!

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Flagship:

Roosevelt transitions back to sea

quote:

NORFOLK – Aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt returned to Naval Station Norfolk after completing sea trials in the Virginia Capes operating area Dec. 3-6.

Sea Trials marks the first time TR has been underway on its own power since March 7, when it transited up the Elizabeth River from NavSta to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., for a nine-month Planned Incremental Availability.

“We completed the PIA on time and on budget,” said TR Chief Engineer, Cmdr. Larry Scruggs. “We spent all the money that was allocated to us on repairing the ship. Some may argue that we were under budget because the shipyard was able to find ways to do more work, more efficiently. But overall, we were on time and on budget.”

For the rest, go to http://www.flagshipnews.com/articles/2007/12/18/news/from_the_fleet/fleet03.txt

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

ENTSG Returns from Deployment

quote:

ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE (NNS) -- Enterprise Strike Group (ENTSG), led by the strike group commander, Rear Adm. Dan Holloway, returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Dec. 19 after a five-month deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations, Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF), Iraqi oil platform protection, anti-piracy operations and the struggle against violent extremists.

Story at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=33951

Also:

USS George Washington Recognized for Environmental Stewardship

quote:

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) was awarded the Navy Environmental Stewardship Flagship Award 2007, Dec. 18, in recognition of the tremendous number of hours GW Sailors spent volunteering throughout the Hampton Roads area.

Receiving the award in the large seagoing command category, GW sailors were recognized for "selflessly volunteering to protect, preserve and enhance our environment."

For the rest, see http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34028

 

[Michael H. Standart]

A photo from The Navy Newsstand of the USS Kitty Hawk decked out in Christmas lights:

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/071220-N-2638R-001.jpg

Enjoy!

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

TR Carrier Strike Group Completes First Group Sail

quote:

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), flagship for Carrier Strike Group 2 (CSG2), completed its first work-up cycle, Dec. 20, following a nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA).

The strike group, including USS Monterey (CG 61), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and USS Mason (DDG 87), sailed together for the first time, Dec. 17, just three weeks after Roosevelt's departure from Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

For the rest, see http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34090

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

Truman, Arctic Assist Stranded Sailors

quote:

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T AOE 8) rescued seven mariners adrift in a raft Dec. 23, in the central Persian Gulf.

While conducting a replenishment-at-sea with Truman, Arctic received a bridge-to-bridge radio call from the British-flagged cargo vessel MV British Courage.

British Courage was requesting assistance rescuing the stranded mariners, who were floating approximately three miles from of the Harry S. Truman.

Full story at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34107

Comment: Good show!

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

Harry S. Truman Hosts VTC

quote:

USS Harry S. Truman, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) leadership offered a unique chance for Sailors to connect with their families this holiday season via Video Teleconference (VTC).

The first round of VTCs took place Dec. 24, 26 and 27 and allowed more than 192 Sailors to participate.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Montana McClanahan, Harry S. Truman's automated data processing officer, said the program was created to help increase the morale of Sailors aboard the ship. He said Harry S. Truman has a chain of command committed to not only supporting Sailors, but supporting their families as well.

For the rest, go to http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34154

Comment: It's a big step forward in keeping in touch with those at home, but don't stop writing those letters. Trust me, it matters!

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

Princess Cruise Officials Recognizes Ronald Reagan and HS-4 for Successful Medical Evacuation

quote:

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Princess Cruises honored the crew of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron (HS) 4 during a press conference and recognition ceremony Jan. 6 aboard the cruise ship Dawn Princess.

According to Princess Cruise officials, the ceremony was held to bring together the officers and crew from Ronald Reagan, the Dawn Princess and U.S. Coast Guard officials who played major roles in the recent successful medical evacuation of a 14-year-old Laura Montero who was suffering from a ruptured appendix while on board the cruise ship.

For the rest, go to http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34196

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Times:

Long-lost shells from carrier a concern in NYC

quote:

NEW YORK – Before the city’s Sanitation Department starts building a new garbage-transfer station on the edge of New York harbor, it may have to clean up something more potentially explosive than rancid food that stayed too long on the shelf, says a state lawmaker.

Back on March 6, 1954, hundreds of tons of Korean War-vintage munitions were being loaded off the aircraft carrier Bennington when a sudden storm caused a barge to capsize and break loose, spilling its cargo. By the time the barge was found upside down six miles away, it was empty.

For the rest, go to http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_lostshells_080114/

USS Bennington photopage at http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/20.htm

Comment: Talk about a blast from the past!

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Times:

Report: Chinese ships confronted Kitty Hawk

quote:

TAIPEI – A Chinese attack submarine and destroyer shadowed U.S. warships in November in the Taiwan Strait, sparking a 28-hour standoff that brought the group to a battle-ready halt in the tense waters, a report in a Taiwan daily said Tuesday.

The confrontation occurred as the Navy aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk and other ships in its battle group were heading back to Japan following China’s sudden cancellation of a long-scheduled holiday port call in Hong Kong, the China Times said, citing U.S. military sources.

Story at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/01/kyo_china_080115/

Comment: Anyone get the idea that these parties need to take a chill pill, preferably before somebody gets dead?

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Times:

Giuliani promises Mayport carrier if elected

quote:

The Navy’s final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier would be homeported at Naval Base Mayport, Fla., if Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani is elected, he said in a Jacksonville campaign speech Tuesday, campaign officials confirmed.

For the rest, see http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/01/navy_rudy_cvnpromise_080116w/

Also from the same source,

No standoff between carrier, China, DoD says

quote:

Defense Department officials are denying reports in the Asian news media that the Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group was involved in a 28-hour standoff with a Chinese destroyer and submarine while transiting the Taiwan Strait last November.

For the rest, go to http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/01/navy_kittyhawk_denial_080117w/

Comment: Is this the truth or are the powers-that-be trying to save face? Place your bets! Only one to a customer!

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Times:

Nimitz, strike group to deploy to Japan

quote:

SAN DIEGO – Four months after returning from a deployment to the Persian Gulf, the crew of the aircraft carrier Nimitz will head back to sea next week, this time to fill the gap in the Western Pacific while the Yokosuka, Japan-based Kitty Hawk is in the shipyards for maintenance, Navy officials said Thursday.

The Jan. 24 departure is a “regularly scheduled” deployment under the Navy’s Fleet Response Plan for the nuclear-powered ship, said Lt. Sarah Self-Kyler, a U.S. 3rd Fleet spokeswoman in San Diego.

For the rest, see http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/01/navy_nimitzjapan_080117w/

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Times:

John C. Stennis returns to water

quote:

BREMERTON, Wash. – The John C. Stennis is back in the water for the first time since entering dry dock in September.

Brief story at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_stennis_080119/