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NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BREMERTON, Wash. – The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 have collectively earned the 2020 Ramage Award for carrier/air wing operational excellence.
The Navy-wide award, named for Rear Adm. James “Jig Dog” Ramage, a World War II ace, recognizes the top aircraft carrier/air wing team for best performance as an integrated unit and excellence in Navy aircraft carrier operations.
“This is a very special team award, and goes beyond what happens in the hangar bay and on the flight deck,” said Capt. Max Clark, Nimitz’ commanding officer. “It really speaks to our ship’s motto, “Teamwork, a tradition,” across all areas in which we work with and support the air wing, from writing the air plan to wardroom one and two mid-rats.”
Nimitz and CVW 17 deployed from San Diego June 8 after completing a composite training unit exercise. Over the course of nearly 11 months, the two groups worked in unison and completed four dual carrier operations in U.S. 7th Fleet with Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Groups, conducted cooperative deployments with the Indian and Australian navies, and participated in Operations Inherent Resolve, Octave Quartz, and Freedom’s Sentinel. Nimitz and CVW 17 conducted over 35,345 flight hours and 14,141 traps (landings) during the course of the deployment.
“So much was asked of this team and for most Sailors it would prove to be more than they would ever imagine,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Master Chief Brandon Barr, assigned to Nimitz. “This deployment was one for the ages. The team buckled down and went to work, a partnership was built amongst USS Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing 17 and it showed.”
Barr discussed how winning the award highlights the team’s focus on the mission-at-hand as well as their hard work during deployment.
“Nimitz Sailors take such pride in their ownership of the ship and its proven daily,” said Barr. “Last year was so busy and there wasn’t really much down time. [Deployment] came fast and the crew had to adjust their personal lives and set their minds on the mission ahead. Both Carrier Air Wing 17 and the Nimitz blended together and started working together. I think the crew just went out there and did their job to their best ability and from that an integrated team formed. The crew’s ability to work together as a team demonstrated the motto “Teamwork, a Tradition” to perfection.”
CVW 17 is made up of the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the “Mighty Shrikes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, the “Death Rattlers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, the “Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139, the “Sun Kings” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116, the “Screamin’ Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, the “Battlecats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, and the “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30.
Nimitz is currently undergoing a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) in its homeport of Bremerton conducting maintenance and refurbishment of shipboard systems to prepare for future operations.
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2021 23:55 |
| Story ID: | 395196 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 783 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Nimitz, CVW 17 Receives 2020 Ramage Award, by SN Dalton Reidhead, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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