Stennis Strike Group maintains proficiency

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet
Courtesy Story

Date: 10.05.2012
Posted: 10.05.2012 13:20
News ID: 95769
Stennis Strike Group maintains proficiency

SOUTH CHINA SEA – Stennis, which deployed from its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., in July, performed routine aircraft launch and recovery operations in cooperation with other U.S. ships in its strike group in order to maintain operational readiness.

“Flight operations are a dangerous job, but we’re making it as safe as possible,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Kelsey Deer, Fuels Division’s leading chief petty officer aboard Stennis. “Right now we’re doing normal flight training. It’s about re-certifying and qualifying people to launch aircraft off of the carrier deck.”

The training, which is currently being conducted as Stennis transits through the U.S. 7th Fleet, prepares pilots and aircraft support personnel for any contingency they may encounter while operating in the Persian Gulf.

Ships and aircraft of the John C. Stennis and George Washington carrier strike groups are currently exercising to hone their collective interoperability, readiness, and the capability to respond quickly to potential crises in the region, ranging from combat operations to humanitarian assistance missions. As two of the Navy’s 11 global force carrier strike groups, the strike groups are further ensuring security, stability and peace in the vital Asia-Pacific region.

Stennis is currently deployed in U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron 21 and the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).