Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) at sea April 20.
Adm. Cecil Haney and several local community leaders from Hawaii, met with John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) leadership, observed flight operations at sea, an air-power demonstration and thanked the strike group team for their performance during the deployment.
“I want to thank everyone for what they have done for our nation and the great work,” said Haney. “All of you have made a big difference.”
This was the first visit to an aircraft carrier, and the chance to experience carrier operations at sea, for many of the guests.
“It was an eye opening experience,” said Malia Oshima Paul, Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. “I enjoyed seeing all of the inner workings in the hangar bay and seeing all of the Sailors working. I’m appreciative of everyone’s sacrifices and hard work.”
As their visit concluded, the guests boarded a C-2A Greyhound, taxied to one of the ship’s catapult tracks, then accelerated from zero to 185 nautical miles per hour in less than three seconds, launching from Stennis’ flight deck to return home.
JCSCSG, consisting of Stennis, Carrier Air Wing (CVW-9), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), is returning from an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th fleet areas of responsibility.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, April 23, 2013