USS John C. Stennis Supports NATO Allies

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Kalliyah Lowe | NORFOLK (Mar. 26, 2021) – U.S. Navy Sailors, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), greet the Italian Navy flagship, aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), as it arrives at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, March 26, 2021. The Cavour’s visit is part of a series of operations alongside U.S. Military assets to attain the Italian Navy’s “Ready for Operations” certification to safely land and launch F-35B aircraft. U.S. 2nd Fleet exercises operational authorities over assigned ships, and landing forces on the East Coast and the Atlantic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Kalliyah DeJesus)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

04.07.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rebekah Montanez 

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

While awaiting overhaul and major modernization efforts, the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) is providing important support to United States’ NATO Allies. Recently, the John C. Stennis dedicated both resources and personnel to the Italian aircraft carrier, ITS Cavour (CVH 550), and the British aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08).

The John C. Stennis provided essential support to both carriers to increase their collective capacity and capabilities, increase interoperability between U.S. and NATO forces, as well as support both aircraft carriers’ capabilities to fly F-35B aircraft.

First arriving in Norfolk on Feb. 13, on a mission to attain a safe-for-flight certification operating the F-35B and termed the Italian Navy’s “Ready For Operations” campaign, Cavour has received a number of pier services from the John C. Stennis including refueling, diving operations, equipment and personnel onload, security, and medical functions. During its campaign, the Italian Navy has worked closely with the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office’s Integrated Test Force out of Patuxent River, Maryland, to obtain official certification to safely operate F-35B aircraft.

“We couldn’t be more excited to host our Italian ally,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Cassidy Norman, the John C. Stennis’ commanding officer. “The Stennis team fully understands the importance of building trust and cooperation by supporting Cavour's certification with the newest multi-role combat aircraft, the F-35B. We are happy to see our Italian naval aviation counterparts dramatically increase their operational capacity, strengthening our collective capability.”

In addition to supporting Cavour, John C. Stennis provided support to British Allies by sending 17 aviation ordnancemen to the Queen Elizabeth for training last September, to assist in the assembly and movement of ordnance, including for the F-35B, in support of United States Marine Corps Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211.

VMFA-211 embarking on the Queen Elizabeth with F-35Bs was all part of a larger effort to validate the ability of the aircraft to operate jointly and seamlessly during aircraft carrier operations and maritime power projections while supporting strategic Allies. This allows for a smooth integration among John C. Stennis Sailors, VMFA-211 and the Queen Elizabeth, as she is set to embark on her first deployment later this spring.

The United States seeks to expand its global presence and influence by developing allied nation capabilities to support our shared defense interests. Training with our U.K. counterparts allowed the United States to seek unexplored levels of interoperability and integration, advance future readiness.

These opportunities have allowed the John C. Stennis to maintain warfighting proficiency while also setting the standard as the ship enters refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).

“The scheduled RCOH will modernize this ship to become the most advanced aircraft carrier in the Nimitz class,” said Norman. “We are fortunate to be able to simultaneously work to get this ship back in the fight, and at the same time, support the new aircraft carrier capabilities of our NATO Allies.”

John C. Stennis is partnering with Newport News Shipbuilding to complete RCOH on schedule with a trained, resilient and cohesive crew.

For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-John-C-Stennis-CVN-74/ or follow along on social media at www.facebook.com/stennis74 on Facebook, stenniscvn74 on Instagram, and @stennis74 on Twitter.

• Date Taken: 04.07.2021
• Date Posted: 04.07.2021 11:08
• Story ID: 393244
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US