USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) was named the top aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Fleet in the 2012 Commander Naval Air Force Aircraft Carrier Battle Efficiency and Departmental Awards program, Feb. 11.
The Battle “E” is awarded annually to ships that display the maximum condition of readiness in their group and for their capability to perform their wartime responsibilities.
The Sailors of Ike won the Battle “E” after a 6-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility. The awards come in recognition of Ike’s superior operational performance and accomplishments in 2012.
The Battle “E” Award consists of an in-depth overview of the ship’s battle readiness, taking into account a wide variety of factors from the number of days the ship was out to sea, its performance while in theater and the ship’s safety record.
“It has taken a team effort to win the 2012 Battle “E” as well as the departmental “Es,” said Capt. Marcus Hitchcock, Ike’s commanding officer as he announced the results to the crew. “We can take great pride in this accomplishment as it represents that Ike is the best of the best on this waterfront.”
Ike earned 12 departmental efficiency awards for 2012 as part of the assessment – Air Department Yellow “E”, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Black “E”, Combat Systems Green “CS”, Damage Control Red “DC”, Deck Department White Crossed Anchors with Black “D”, Health Services Department Blue “M”, Navigation Department White Ship’s Wheel, Operations Department Green “E”, Reactor Department Red “E”, Safety Department Green “S”, Security Black “S”, and Supply Department Blue “E”.
The ship’s superior performance in these categories can be credited to the hard work and determination of all the Sailors serving aboard IKE. Receiving the Battle “E” gives a sense of accomplishment and serves as the culmination to Ike’s success in 2012.
“I feel like all of our hard work has finally paid off,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Lauren Coons of Ike’s medical department . “It will be a great feeling to see the “E” on the side of ship and know that I helped earn it.”
Ike is the flagship for the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which includes its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 7, and embarked Destroyer Squadron 28.
Ike is currently in Naval Station Norfolk performing scheduled maintenance in preparation for a deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility in support of maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 15, 2013; Image: US Navy