USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)

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Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on December 5, 2009 at 7:18pm

From USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 returned to the North Arabian Sea today, to resume combat missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) following a port visit in the Arabian Gulf.

Aircrews provide close air support and reconnaissance to coalition forces in Afghanistan, launching from the deck of Nimitz hundreds of miles away.

"After nearly 3 months on station, this air wing continues to hone our skills to deliver effective support to our coalition partners on the ground," said Capt. Bret Batchelder, commander, CVW 11, "although, nothing about this mission out here is routine".

CVW 11 aviators work closely with embarked Army ground liaison officers here and air controllers on the ground in Afghanistan to deliver precision support to counter-insurgency operations.

They are all guided by the tactical directive instituted in July by Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, which places limitations on the use of force that could result in civilian casualties.

Since entering the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations Sep. 18., CVW 11 has flown more than 1,450 sorties and totaled more than 8,500 cumulative flight hours in support of OEF.

Nimitz provides 30 percent of the close air support to the coalition force in Afghanistan.

Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Miller, is comprised of USS Nimitz, embarked CVW 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to DESRON 23 include the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS Rentz.

Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders" of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117.

Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack" of HSL 45, the "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge.

For more news from USS Nimitz (CVN 68), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn68/.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on November 26, 2009 at 5:37pm

General Petraeus with Nimitz on Thanksgiving

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class J.D. Levite, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS NIMITZ, Gulf of Oman (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. Central Command celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday at sea Nov. 26 with the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the four-star general responsible for U.S. operations in 20 countries from Egypt, to Central Asia and the entire Middle East, joined the crew at the mid-point of her 8-month Western Pacific deployment operating in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan.

"It's a unique American holiday," Petraeus said. "And to spend it on a unique piece of American turf – a ship that no other country can match – really makes it an enjoyable and memorable experience."

Minutes after arrival, Petraeus worked his way down ladder wells and through passageways to conduct re-enlistments and present awards to Nimitz Sailors in the ship's forecastle.

Petraeus also had the opportunity to see flight operations from the aviators' perspective when he stepped into an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 with Capt. Scott Conn, deputy commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11.

"It really was awesome to experience a bit of that today to have that Top Gun moment," said Petraeus. "To being shot off the deck and make a pretty quick landing and see again the extraordinary work that you do."

Petraeus took a helo over to visit Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102). Returning to Nimitz, Petraeus carved a turkey for Nimitz crew members for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner.

In addition to 1,000 pounds of traditional Thanksgiving turkeys, Nimitz' food service team served up 600 pounds of ham, 15 roasted pigs, roast-steamship rounds of beef, broiled lobster, and 150 one gallon cans of cranberry sauce.

"We brought the turkeys on board prior to leaving San Diego," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Kristopher Freyberg. "We wanted to make sure that was the first thing we had since we knew we would be planning for the holidays. We loaded the entire pig on outside of Hawaii, and aside from that, we've been taking it on during replenishment-at-sea little by little."

The day ended with an all hand's call, where Petraeus addressed the entire crew wanting the Sailors deployed out here to know just how valuable they are.

"Each and every person that wears our country's uniform is indeed, in a sense, 'An Army of One,' or a Sailor of one," said Petraeus. "Each of us has enormous intrinsic worth and can be the most important person in the life of a fellow Sailor or others with whom we work."

Petraeus expressed thanks and gratitude for the job Nimitz Sailors are doing in support of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan.

"I'm so thankful to be out here with over 4,000 great Americans who are engaged in important missions and working together to accomplish them," said Petraeus. "There's no greater source of energy than the 4,000 plus members of the crew and air wing that are on one of these great ships."

CVW-11 provides 30 percent of the close air support to coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan. Since Nimitz arrived in 5th Fleet area of operations, Sept. 18, more than 1,450 sorties have been flown in support of OEF.

Nimitz CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Miller, is comprised of USS Nimitz, embarked Carrier Air Wing 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to DESRON 23 include the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS Rentz.

Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders" of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117.

Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack" of HSL 45, the "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10).

For more news from USS Nimitz (CVN 68), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn68/.

Comment by carol on November 6, 2009 at 9:28pm

I taught school (a private, Lutheran one) there for 2 years, before I got married.

Comment by carol on November 4, 2009 at 8:48pm

Here's a good story. My husband sent our son a letter in the beginning of October. He got it back on Monday. Instead of it going to the Nimitz, it went to the George Washington. Good thing it was only a letter and not a box.

Comment by carol on November 4, 2009 at 8:44pm

Mitch, it's our son's first also. He and my husband watched "Carrier".
It's been a busy week. I have Parent/Teacher conferences tomorrow and Friday. I'm looking forward to Saturday to relax.
Cora, I use to teach in Yale, MI. Have you heard of that?
Have a good night, all. We may reach 50 degrees tomorrow! Heat wave!!

Comment by Mitch on October 30, 2009 at 11:17pm

Hi Cora (and Carol) - I enjoyed reading your notes. This is the first deployment for our son Brad on the Nimitz. We watched the Carrier series on PBS with him before he went to boot camp a year ago. So, it was quite a surprise when he got assigned to the Nimitz. It is well worth watching the series. Oh, and Cora, we're some of the people who have heard of the cities you mentioned...we live in Auburn Hills, MI.

Comment by carol on October 29, 2009 at 10:07pm

You were going to have him to dinner, but he had just gotten to Pensacola, and didn't have leave yet. It did mean a lot that you would have fed him.
Glad your daughter is doing well. How did her deployments go? I am accepting your friendship. Have a good night.

Comment by carol on October 29, 2009 at 8:23pm

I wanted to also say Thanks for your help and support last Thanksgiving. It meant alot to me. :)

Comment by carol on October 29, 2009 at 8:22pm

The time flies by. Our son is on his first deployment on the Nimitz, which has been extended, so it's a long one. The places he has been at in just one year...wow, I would have never guessed!

Comment by carol on October 29, 2009 at 7:04pm

Thanks, Cora. It is interesting and informative.
Hope you and the family are doing well. My husband and I are. Can't believe it is a year since my son was in bootcamp.

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