Rear Adm. Roy Kelley, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, visited the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis’ (CVN 74) senior leadership, June 12.
During his first visit to the ship, Kelley was able to speak to senior leadership about the recent deployment the John C. Stennis Strike Group completed.
“Your [John C. Stennis] deployment was a huge success, and DFE [dynamic force employment] played a large part in that success,” said Kelley. “DFE means unpredictability and with it comes challenges which you overcame with a high level of professionalism and dedication to the mission.”
The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group completed a seven-month around-the-world deployment through the 3rd, 7th, 5th, 6th, and 2nd Fleets, conducted multi-aircraft carrier operations with the Carl Vinson, Ronald Reagan, and Abraham Lincoln Strike Groups, the French aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R 91), the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, and various ally navy units to include Australia, Great Britain, France, Korea and Japan.
Kelley went on to discuss training and the future maintenance availability.
“As you prepare for refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH), the John C. Stennis is tasked with keeping our fleet aviators qualified. I need you to get underway on time, get out there, get the mission done, and get home,” said Kelley.
Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic’s Force Master Chief Huben Phillips mentioned that the John C. Stennis is full of experienced Sailors.
“To echo what the admiral said, smart and squared away Sailors are a good sign of a good ship – and that’s exactly what we see in the John C. Stennis,” said Phillips.
The John C. Stennis left its homeport, Bremerton, Washington, October 2018 and is now pierside in its new homeport, Norfolk, Virginia. During their seven-month deployment they traversed 75,486 nautical miles, encompassed 9,331 launches and recoveries of aircraft and made five stops in foreign ports along the way.
For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.