By JO3 Dustin Q. Diaz, USS Nimitz Public Affairs
USS NIMITZ, Indian Ocean -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 concluded nine weeks of supporting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Arabian Gulf Sept. 22, when the ship transited the Strait of Hormuz into the Indian Ocean.
MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material.
Nimitz and CVW-11 launched more than 4,500 sorties totaling more than 11,000 flight hours since entering the Fifth Fleet area of operations. Of those, more than 1,100 sorties and 6,000 flight hours have been in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since Nimitz relieved USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in July.
Capt. Ted Branch, Nimitz commanding officer, praised the readiness of the crew leading up to the deployment and continuing to the present. He said the ship and air wing's performance in the face of difficult and unexpected circumstances has consistently impressed him.
"Our contributions to MSO while in the area have been top-notch, and that's more important than probably even a lot of our own crew realizes," Branch said. "The importance our presence brings to keeping the area stable and contributing to our efforts in this area can't be measured."
Branch added that although the air wing was not called on to drop ordnance on insurgents, their mission was still required. "We've kept jets in the air offering great support to the troops on the ground, disabling roadside bombs and making other important contributions that will save lives."
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class John McIntear participated in some other unique activities while taking part in MSO aboard Nimitz. More than once, medical personnel directly helped Iraqis, like a fisherman picked up by USS Princeton (CG 59) who had been shot by unknown aggressors.
"We performed surgeries on him throughout the night, got him stabilized and removed the bullet from his stomach," said McIntear, a native of Loretto, Tenn. "He would have been killed if it wasn't for us being here.
"Not long after that, we got a distress call from an Iraqi dhow that was sinking and saved seven more lives. That's the most satisfying part of being in the Arabian Gulf performing maritime operations."
The crew worked long hours throughout the hot summer and stayed sharp, holding weekly general quarters drills and conducting 15 underway replenishments since leaving Naval Air Station North Island in May. In all, nearly 12 million gallons of fuel were issued to aircraft without a mishap since departing, showing the crew's dedication to continuing the mission.
"That's the case all around the ship," Branch said. "They're all my heroes. Whether it's out in the sun on the flight deck, or down in some of the reactor spaces that are as hot as a sauna, they've worked as hard on day 75 in the Gulf as they did the day we left. I can't say enough about the job they've done."
While in the area, Nimitz made port calls to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. While on liberty, the crew absorbed the culture, haggled over luxuries like jewelry and carpets, and represented and the Navy and the nation well.
"The Sailors and Marines of Nimitz and CVW-11 performed fantastically while on liberty," said Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Christopher Penton. "They understand that it's just as important a part of the mission as everything else we do. It doesn't surprise me one bit."
The ship also received visits from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Terry Scott. They personally met with many Sailors and Marines, and Penton said they later wrote to him with glowing words about the men and women serving at sea.
"Each time we've had visitors on board, we've gotten very positive feedback on the attitudes and efforts of our crew," Penton said. "I've even been asked if they were hand-selected to represent the crew. It shows what I mean when I say we're "on the point.""
Carrier Strike Group 11, led by Rear Adm. Peter Daly, includes Carrier Air Wing 11, Destroyer Squadron 23, the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), the guided-missile destroyers USS Higgins (DDG 76) and USS Chafee (DDG 90), the attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) and the fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10).
The squadrons of CVW-11 include the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, the Tophatters of VFA-14, the Mighty Shrikes of VFA-94, the Red Devils of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, the Black Ravens of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the Wallbangers of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117, the Indians of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6 and the Providers of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron 30.
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2005 13:05 |
| Story ID: | 3102 |
| Location: | ABOARD USS NIMITZ, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 17 |
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