The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) departed Mayport, Florida with over 1000 family members and friends, known as tigers, for a tiger cruise, May 14.
The tiger cruise allows family members and friends to experience life at sea with their Sailors.
“The tiger cruise offers a unique opportunity for Sailors to familiarize their guests with the capabilities of an aircraft carrier at sea,” said Lt. j.g. Brittiany Currie, a tiger cruise coordinator aboard the John C. Stennis. “The cruise aims to strengthen family ties and increase awareness on the Navy’s abilities through personal interaction with U.S. Sailors and their ship.”
The John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 will host a range of activities for the tigers to experience, including an air power demonstration that featured aircraft from CVW-9.
While the air power demonstration showed the tigers what an aircraft carrier’s capabilities are above deck, the ship also has myriad of options for the tigers to explore inside the skin of the ship. Tigers will be able to experience shipboard firefighting, weapons magazines, the anchor chains, and more during their time aboard the John C. Stennis.
The tiger cruise marks the last phase of the John C. Stennis’ around the world deployment.
The John C. Stennis deployed from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Oct. 15, 2018. The carrier is in the midst of a homeport shift, eventually heading to Norfolk for its scheduled midlife refueling and complex overhaul.
The John C. Stennis is operating in the U.S. 2nd Fleet in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.