USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) & Carrier Strike Group 7

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Comment by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin on July 15, 2009 at 5:00pm

Crystal my son also had the flu. He said it went through the entire ship, no way to avoid it. Evan emailed yesterday and said that he received one of the five boxes we had sent a few weeks ago. They told him the rest will be there soon.

Comment by Crystal Mitchell on July 15, 2009 at 3:20pm

I had an e-mail form Justen this afternoon. He said there had been no mail drops recently. He is hoping the next several days brings another package. Has anyone heard much on the flu. Justen had it , but it seemed to be a GI bug. He has been gretaful for the drink mix as he was having problems eating for several days.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on July 10, 2009 at 8:46pm

News!

Reagan Relieves Eisenhower, Launches Sorties in Support of OEF
Story Number: NNS090706-03
Release Date: 7/6/2009 12:13:00 PM



From USS Ronald Reagan and USS Eisenhower Public Affairs

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group relieved the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 50 July 6 and launched its first sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 departed the decks of the strike group's flagship, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) bound for Afghanistan to support coalition ground forces.

"I'm excited to get this started because, in essence, what we're doing is saving American and coalition lives," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "The Eisenhower strike group did a fantastic job in theater, and we're ready to continue that level of support. We have a lot of experience on board Ronald Reagan and with the air wing. Our crew knows how to execute this mission effectively."

While Ronald Reagan and CVW-14 are returning to a mission they did a year ago, they understand that conditions in Afghanistan have changed. Already focused on minimizing collateral damage, they understand processes are even more rigorous. There are new, stricter guidelines put in place by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal to do even more to help minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage in Afghanistan.

According to Rear Adm. Scott Hebner, the strike group's commander, the group's more than 7,500 Sailors are trained and equipped to carry out their mission.

"Our Sailors are focused and serious minded about what is ahead; they know the Navy and our country is counting on them," Hebner said. "They are ready to demonstrate their impressive capabilities across the spectrum of our maritime strategy."

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group operated in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations since March.

"Our preparations last fall allowed us to deliver exactly what the fleet commander asked for -- persistent U.S. naval power, in perfect partnership with our joint and coalition partners, delivering security and stability for the good of all mariners in this vital area of the world," said Rear Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander, Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.

Eisenhower's embarked air wing, CVW-7, flew more than 2,000 sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Ships of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group also were vital in counterpiracy operations, including the USS Bainbridge's (DDG 96) direct role in the rescue of the captain of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama, Richard Phillips.

"I am extremely proud of the 4,500 men and women on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). They have performed magnificently this entire deployment," said Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, Eisenhower's commanding officer. "They supported coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan with utmost professionalism while providing regional security and stability. Without question, their service made a difference."

USS Ronald Reagan is joined by the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62). Other Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group ships will support maritime security operations (MSO) while deployed to the region. The guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) will help deter destabilizing activities and ensure a lawful maritime order in the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.

The squadrons of CVW-14 include the "Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the "Fist of the Fleet" of VFA-25, the "Stingers" of VFA-113, the "Eagles" of VFA-115, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139 and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4. A detachment from Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 30 is providing logistics support to the carrier.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

Comment by Paige on July 9, 2009 at 6:38pm

DNU -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conducts a burial at sea.
http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=12847

Comment by Crystal Mitchell on July 9, 2009 at 1:58pm

Our sons and daughters are part of a floating city. They live work and play 24/7 with fellow contry men and women. I really I am proud of each sailor and their family. I am goning to look for a new NAVY Mom tee shirt as my shirt is worn out. My coworkers ask me frequently about Justen and what have I heard. I find people are very supportive of the home town troops. The local news paper runs their addresses each week so they can have special mail from their town. Justen is glad people help keep family up to date on the deployment. He knows how every grandparent and loved one worries.

Comment by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin on July 9, 2009 at 9:21am

This is a letter that Evan's group received from their branch officer this morning.


Gear and VLA,

Here is a quick run-down of why we're here and what our jets are doing
on the other end of each go.

Al Qaeda gets a large portion of its funding from the sale of opium
(Heroin) from Afghanistan. Foreign Al Qaeda fighters and local Taliban
work closely together to make this happen. Afghanistan grows 93% of the
entire world's opium, and almost all of it comes from one Taliban
controlled region in southern Afghanistan called the Helmand Valley.

Not anymore. U.S. Marines, with support from above, just pushed into
the Helmand Valley forcing the Taliban out. Our troops are currently
occupying and holding that area for the first time. It is believed that
the Taliban have not fled far, but are regrouping to re-enter at the
first opportunity. Our Marines, and this ship, are here to stop that
from happening.

Yesterday saw 100% of our air-wing's sorties utilized on their missions
in country. Today we supported troops in contact with the enemy six
times before lunch. WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS HAVING A DIRECT EFFECT
COMBATING TERRORISM. Every aircraft that lands safely on this ship does
so because of the GEAR and VLA. When you write home do so proudly.
Tell your parents and your spouses that what you are doing is making a
difference, and thank them for their support.

R/
Branch-O

Comment by Crystal Mitchell on July 8, 2009 at 7:40pm

Glad you posted that Paige. They are so busy working to support the ground troops. I still hear from Justen almost everyday. He is good about emailing us. He is expecting to be in the gulf for longer than first planned. He has learned to be flexible with his life and job. Guess most of us could use that lesson.

Comment by Paige on July 8, 2009 at 6:04pm

DNU -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) launches sorties for embarked Carrier Air Wing 14.
http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=12842

Comment by Crystal Mitchell on July 3, 2009 at 11:27am

Hello Justen emailed yesterday. his last package reached him in 11 days. This is the fastest ever. This seeems strange as they were told there would be less COD drops this deployment. They have had only one port call this deployment. The Philippines was a rememberance of their humanitarian service post typhoon that happened last year. Both times they have not docked for liberty. It has been select groups that were flown ashore for working parties. Justen has not said anything about the possible steel beach picnic. He has been ill with a GI bug. Thank God for the package from home. We had sent some electrolyte replacement type drink packages in box #2 that he got early last week. It was a limited time bug. He is aready feeling better. He just re did his CPR. It had already been 2 years. I always think it is nice to have them trained in CPR. I was an instructor in my Navy days. We trained over 700 sailors in 1 year at Cecil Field FL,when it was the Master Jet Base of the East coast,(1978).

Comment by no1ref on July 3, 2009 at 10:34am

Couple of comments. As far as I know the ship did not stop in the Philippines on this deployment. I believe that it was on the last deployment, Also my son did not know about the BBQ on the 4th.
But I hope that all can have one whereever they are and please be safe.

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