Operation Medusa: CVW1 Strike Missions Continue

ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE, AT SEA

09.09.2006

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

U.S. Naval Forces
5th Fleet PAO

ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE - For five consecutive days aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 stationed aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) have provided support to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops on the ground as part of Operations Medusa and Enduring Freedom near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Coordinated with coalition air forces and ISAF troops on the ground, Enterprise aircraft provided close air support for ISAF troops encountering resistance from Taliban extremists in multiple locations around Kandahar Sept. 6 and Sept. 7.

F/A-18F Super Hornets from the "Checkmates" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, based in Virginia Beach, Va., expended Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) 12 bombs to destroy Taliban extremist fortifications west of Kandahar Sept. 6. The GBU-12 is a general-purpose, laser-guided 500-pound bomb. On Sept. 7, at the request of ISAF ground troops, a "Checkmate" Super Hornet conducted a strafing run using the aircraft's M61A1 20 mm. gatling gun.

F/A-18C Hornets from the "Sidewinders" of VFA-86, based in Beaufort, S.C., expended both GBU-12 and GBU-38 bombs in attacks on both fortifications and Taliban extremists operating against ISAF ground forces. The GBU-38 is a general-purpose, Global Positioning System (GPS) guided 500-pound bomb, also known as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).

Since their arrival in the northern Arabian Sea, Enterprise-based aircraft have focused their efforts on protecting ISAF ground forces near Kandahar and have flown 103 sorties over the last five days and delivered nearly 30 precision weapons against extremists in support of Operations Medusa and Enduring Freedom.

In addition to the "Sidewinders" of VFA-86 and the "Checkmates" of VFA-211, other squadrons of CVW-1 include the "Knighthawks" of VFA-136, the "Thunderbolts" of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 251, the "Screwtops" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the "Rooks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, the "Maulers" of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32, the "Rawhides" of Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 40, and the "Dragonslayers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11.

Enterprise is the flagship in the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, which includes the cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47), all based in Norfolk, the attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757), homeported in Groton Conn., and the fast combat supply ship USNS Supply (T-AOE-6), homeported in Earle, N.J.

The nuclear powered Enterprise and embarked Carrier Air Wing 1 departed Naval Station Norfolk May 2 for a regularly scheduled six-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.

The Enterprise Strike Group is currently operating in the northern Arabian Sea in support of maritime security operations and Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

• Date Taken: 09.09.2006
• Date Posted: 09.11.2006 09:27
• Story ID: 7686
• Location: ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE, AT SEA