From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: March 18, 2007 9:29:56 PM PDT
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: With 3 Carrier Groups Already in Place, the 4th and 5th
Get Ready to Deploy
USS Stennis arrives in the Persian Gulf
http://iraqnam.blogspot.com/2007/02/uss-stennis-joins-eisenhower-in-
gulf-as.html
Feb. 20 (Bloomberg) -- A U.S. aircraft carrier battle group led by
the USS John C. Stennis arrived in the Persian Gulf region as part
of a buildup of forces amid heightened tension with Iran.
The Nimitz-class Stennis, sent by President George W. Bush last
month, arrived in the region Feb. 15 to join the USS Dwight D.
Eisenhower as the second aircraft carrier battle group in the
region, the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet said today in an e-mailed
statement. The fleet's area of operations includes the Gulf of Oman
and the Persian Gulf, to the east of the Arabian Peninsula.
The deployment of additional naval forces ``is here to help foster
stability and security in the region,'' Rear Admiral Kevin Quinn,
commander of the naval force, said in the statement.
Bush said on Feb. 14 that he's convinced the Qods Force of Iran's
Revolutionary Guard Corps is supplying explosives to militants in
neighboring Iraq who are attacking U.S. forces. The U.S.
administration also accuses Iran of using its nuclear power plans
to disguise a weapons program, an allegation Iran denies.
The U.S. has contingency plans to attack Iranian nuclear sites and
military infrastructure if the Islamic Republic is confirmed to be
developing a nuclear weapon or is linked to a major attack on U.S.
forces in Iraq, the BBC said today, citing unidentified diplomatic
officials.
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USS Reagan arrives in the Persian Gulf
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/06/
front2453788.107638889.html
ABU DHABI — The U.S. Navy has deployed its latest aircraft carrier
in the Persian Gulf.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet said the USS Ronald Reagan has been deployed
for maritime security operations in the Gulf region. The nuclear-
powered surface vessel headed a carrier group that contains a
guided missile cruiser, two destroyers and support ships.
The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was assigned to
patrol the Fifth Fleet area of operations, which includes the
Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean,
Middle East Newsline reported. "Our past nine months of training
have been in preparation to support our troops on the ground in
Iraq and carry out maritime security operations," Carrier Strike
Group Seven Commander Rear Adm. Michael Miller said.
Officials said the arrival of the Reagan Carrier Strike Group,
which contains more than 6,000 sailors, was part of a routine
rotation of U.S. ships in the Gulf. The strike group consists of
the USS Reagan; USS Lake Champlain missile cruiser, USS McCampbell
and USS Decatur destroyers; USS Rainer fast combat support ship;
and Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit 11 Det 15.
The USS Reagan, whose home port has been in San Diego, Calif., was
commissioned in July 2003.
---------
USS Eisenhower arrives in the Persian Gulf
IKE Returns to Arabian Gulf to Support OIF, MSO
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathaniel Moger
March 18, 2007
http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2007/062.html
USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea – The Nimitz-class aircraft
carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), flagship of the
Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), entered the Arabian Gulf
March 15, accompanied by the guided-missile destroyer USS Anzio (CG
68).
Starting March 17, IKE and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 began
conducting missions in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
(OIF) and Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Gulf.
Providing support to U.S. and multinational ground forces in Iraq
helps set the conditions for security and stability within the
region and establish an environment that allows the Iraqi people to
have the opportunity to determine their own future.
IKE and CVW-7 squadrons are ready to take on the challenges OIF
presents.
“The whole squadron work-up cycle prepares us for this,” said
Command Master Chief (SW) Jon Echols, from the “Jolly Rogers” of
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103. “They’re professionals and will
keep the jets flying in whichever environment they work in.”
CVW-7 had been flying missions into Afghanistan since the beginning
of February. From February 17 to March 14, the air wing flew more
than 4,000 hours and more than 1,400 sorties providing close air
power support and reconnaissance to International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) troops.
The IKE CSG departed Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 3, for a regularly
scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations and
entered the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations Oct. 30.
----------------
March 20, 2007
http://www.c3f.navy.mil/press_releases/03%20-%2007%20Nimitz%
20JTFEX.doc
USS Nimitz to participate in Joint Task Force Exercise
SAN DIEGO -- The USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, led by Rear Adm.
Terry Blake, is participating in a Joint Task Force Exercise
(JTFEX) off the coast of Southern California at the end of February.
The exercise is the final step in preparing the strike group for
deployment and is designed to test its ability to operate in a
complex, hostile environment with other U.S. and coalition forces.
During this graduate-level exercise, more than 6,000 sailors are
working together to hone their operational skills in preparation
for their upcoming deployment.
With the successful completion of the exercise, U.S. Third Fleet
Commander Vice Adm. Barry Costello will certify the USS Nimitz
Carrier Strike Group as "ready for deployment."
After completion of the exercise and certification for deployment,
the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group will prepare to deploy, leaving
from its homeport of San Diego.
The USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group includes Commander, Carrier
Strike Group (CSG) 11, USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Air Wing (CVW)
11, Commander, Destroyer Squadron Twenty-three (CDS) 23, USS
Princeton (CG 59), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS
John Paul Jones (DDG 53), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit
(EODMU)11 and Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadrons (HSL) 37 and 49.
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http://blogs.fox6.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?PostID=683253
[U.S.S.] Harry S. Truman [was] certified to launch and receive
aircraft during an underway period 12-22 January 2007 in
preparation for upcoming deployment.
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SECDEF Visits USS Harry S. Truman Sailors
[TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH DEPLOYMENT]
Story Number: NNS070226-14
Release Date: 2/26/2007 2:17:00 PM
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27984
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jeff S. Troutman, USS Harry
S. Truman Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
received a special visit Feb. 22 from the Honorable Dr. Robert M.
Gates, the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF). Gates’ visit to Truman
was his first carrier visit as SECDEF.
The two-hour visit started on the ship’s flight deck when SECDEF
arrived via helicopter and was greeted by Commander, Fleet Forces
Command Adm. John B. Nathman; Rear Adm. William E. Gortney,
commander, Strike Group 10 and Capt. Herman A. Shelanski, Truman’s
commanding officer.
------------------
http://eqneedf.jconserv.net/viewtopic.php?t=1615
The George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) is the 10th and final Nimitz-class
aircraft carrier. This evolutionary ship will pave the way to a new
class of carriers. Named after the nation’s 41st president, this
powerful warship of the 21st century will feature numerous
improvements and modernizations.
[The USS BUSH will be commissioned for active duty in late 2008.]
Learn more about this state-of-the-art ship by visiting the links
below.
http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush
Northrop Grumman christened the nation’s 10th and final Nimitz-
class aircraft carrier, George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), on October 7,
2006. The ship’s namesake and 41st President of the United States,
George H. W. Bush, attended the ceremony and became the first
president in the shipyard’s 120-year history to participate in the
christening of his namesake ship.
Several members of the Bush family were on hand for the special
occasion, including the former president’s wife Barbara and their
daughter, Doro Bush Koch. Mrs. Koch serves as the ship’s sponsor
and performed the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of
American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow during the ceremony.
------------------
http://www.thestory.ie/category/iran/
List of ships deploying to the Gulf
Tuesday, February 13th, 2007
Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) (Fifth Fleet flagship,
expected to depart the Gulf in April)
USS Dwight D Eisenhower (Nimitz class)
USS Anzio (Ticonderoga class)
USS Ramage (Arleigh-Burke class)
USS Mason (Arleigh-Burke class)
USS Newport News (Los Angeles class submarine)
Bataan Expeditionary Group (sailing to the Arabian Sea, left
Norfolk on January 4, appears to be replacing the 15th MEU, headed
by the USS Boxer)
USS Bataan (Wasp-class amphibious assault ship)
USS Shreveport (Austin-class amphibious transport dock)
USS Oak Hill (Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship)
USS Vella Gulf (Ticonderoga class)
USS Nitze (Arleigh-Burke class)
USS Underwood (Oliver Hazard Perry guided-missile frigate)
USS Scranton (Los Angeles class submarine)
Iwo Jima ESG (left Norfolk in June 2006 for a six-month deployment
to the Gulf region. Appears to be still in the region)
USS Iwo Jima
USS Nashville (Austin-class amphibious transport dock)
USS Philippine Sea (Flight II Ticonderoga-class)
USS Whidbey Island (Whidbey class docking ship)
USS Albuquerque (Los Angeles class submarine)
John C Stennis Carrier Strike Group (CSG) (sailing to the Arabian
Sea. Currently training in Guam, “We’re here to hone our air-to-
ground skills one last time,” said Commander, CVW-9, Capt. Sterling
Gilliam. “The next over-land flying we do could be operational in
nature.”) Stratfor offers an alternative view of the deployment,
and says if any third carrier were to appear, it would be the Truman)
USS Stennis (Nimitz class)
USS Antietam (Ticonderoga class)
USS Preble (Arleigh-Burke class)
USS O’Kane (Arleigh-Burke class)
USNS Bridge (Fast Combat Support Ship)
More information on:
Nimitz class
Arleigh Burke class
Ticonderoga class
LA-class subs
Wasp-class
Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) (deploying to Pacific to
replace Kitty Hawk, rumoured to be third carrier destined for the
Gulf, though it may also be the Nimitz)
USS Ronald Reagan (Nimitz class)
USS Paul Hamilton (Arleigh-Burke class)
USS Lake Champlain (Ticonderoga class)
USS Russell (Arleigh-Burke class)
-------------------
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimitz_class_aircraft_carrier
The Nimitz-class supercarriers are a line of nuclear-powered
aircraft carriers in service with the US Navy, and are the largest
capital ships in the world. These ships are numbered with
consecutive hull numbers starting with CVN 68. The letters "CVN"
denote the type of ship: CV is the hull classification symbol for
Aircraft Carriers, and N to indicate nuclear-powered propulsion.
The number after the "CVN" means that this is the 68th "CV", or
aircraft carrier.
Nimitz (CVN-68), the lead ship of the class, was commissioned in
1975. As of 2006, George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), the tenth and last of
the class, was built by Northrop Grumman Newport News and will
enter service in 2008. Bush will be the first transition ship to
the Ford class the first ship of which is to start construction in
2007 and will incorporate new technologies including a new multi-
function radar system, volume search radar and open architecture
information network, and a significantly reduced crew requirement.
To lower costs some new technologies were incorporated into Ronald
Reagan, though not nearly as many as will be involved with Bush.
Because of construction differences between the first three ships
(Nimitz, Eisenhower and Vinson) and the latter seven (from Theodore
Roosevelt on), the latter ships are sometimes called Theodore
Roosevelt-class aircraft carriers, though the U.S. Navy officially
holds no difference between the two groups (in fact, the time lag
between carriers means that no two are the same). As the older
ships come in for Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH), they are
upgraded to the standards of the latest ships, virtually
eliminating differences.
By tonnage, Nimitz class are by far the largest class of carriers
ever built, holding the world record for displacement of any naval
war vessel. When Bush is completed, the ten ships of the class will
total just under a million tons combined displacement. Although the
Nimitz class ships are the heaviest ships in the US fleet they are
not the longest ships in the fleet, as that honor belongs to the
carrier Enterprise.
Ships in Class
Ships in class: 10
Ships in active service: USS Nimitz
USS Eisenhower
USS Carl Vinson
USS Theodore Roosevelt
USS Abraham Lincoln
USS George Washington
USS John C. Stennis
USS Harry S. Truman
USS Ronald Reagan
Ships fitting out: USS George H. W. Bush
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