USS Nimitz Deploys To Persian Gulf (Godspeed, Josh)

10 news san diego ^ | 4-2-07 | michelle krish

[doug from upland]

My former son in law Josh headed out today for his fourth tour. Godspeed, son. ========================================================================

USS Nimitz Deploys To Persian Gulf Nimitz Will Conduct Marine Security Operations Michelle Krish -- 10News.com Managing Editor

POSTED: 7:30 am PDT April 2, 2007 UPDATED: 11:46 am PDT April 2, 2007

SAN DIEGO -- The USS Nimitz and several other American warships left San Diego Monday for the Persian Gulf to join another locally based aircraft carrier strike group already in the region.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will join the San Diego-based John C. Stennis Strike Group and relieve the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, according to Naval Air Forces Public Affairs.

Military officials said in a statement that the two-carrier presence in the Persian Gulf area is intended to demonstrate U.S. "resolve to build regional security and bring long-term stability to the region."

The Nimitz's departure comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the detention of 15 British sailors and marines by Iran. Iran maintains the detainees were operating in its territorial waters, a charge the British government denies.

President Bush ratcheted up the rhetoric over the weekend, calling the detainees "hostages" -- a term not even the British had used.

The tension over the detainees coincides with international pressure on Iran to give up its uranium enrichment program, which it maintains is strictly for peaceful purposes. The United States and other nations fear Iran is working toward the development of nuclear weapons.

The Nimitz will support the war on terrorism, patrol the Horn of Africa and conduct marine security operations as part of the larger effort to "deter and dissuade others from acting counter to U.S. national interests," according to a Navy statement.

Accompanied by his family at Naval Air Station North Island Monday morning, a sailor preparing for his fifth deployment said the departures aren't getting any easier for his three young daughters -- a 22-month-old, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old.

"It seems to be getting a bit harder because they're all older and they seem to know that something's going on ... Daddy's not going to be around," he said.

"You just tell them every night, you know, Daddy's trying to keep us safe," the sailor's wife said, adding the family corresponds overseas via e-mail and video teleconference.

The Nimitz Strike Group comprises the guided-missile cruiser Princeton, guided-missile destroyers Higgins, Chafee, John Paul Jones and Pinckney, two helicopter squadrons and an explosive ordnance disposal unit.

The Stennis and its strike group left Naval Base Coronado on Jan. 20. It is the largest carrier presence in the Persian Gulf since the start of the war in Iraq.

[baubau]

Is this part of the surge?

[SoCalPol]

The Nimitz is relieving the Ike

[rip033]

“I wonder how much of an overlap there will be with all three carriers in the Gulf.”

It appears the “Ike” set to sea around Oct 21st of last year. So it’s only been out for about 5.5 mos. I do believe normal carrier ops run 9 to 12 months. So there will be some overlap. Three U.S. carriers and one French in the area around the gulf in the next two weeks? What about the British? I wonder if they are deploying any extra ships? Invincible? Do they still have carriers?

[baubau]

“We have the ships, we have the planes, we have the bombs, we have the justification and Bush has the authority.

“Let’s get the show over before it’s too late.

I agree we can, if we want, put an end to the insurgency and civil war in a matter of days.

[doug from upland]

Now that is beautiful!

[doug from upland]

No. It was a regular rotation as far as I know.

[RonF]

I do believe that there’s an exception in the law for such that.

[Yo-Yo]

So then there are exceptions for very large American flags displayed as you see them on the deck of the carrier, and at football games, etc.

[CDHart]

I remember being taught flag etiquette in elementary school. Bet they're not teaching it now. BTW, I'm 63, so you can tell how long ago that was.

Carolyn

[RonF]

No, I don’t think so. I’ve never seen one. Are you aware of any such?

[RonF]

I doubt it. However, should your son/grandson/whatever sign up for the Boy Scouts, he’ll get taught it as one of the first requirements he needs to pass.

[Salem]

"My former son in law Josh headed out today for his fourth tour. Godspeed, son."

You know every FReeepr who "knows the deal" will be praying for him and every other sailor and Marine serving on these floating testaments to American skill, craftmenship, and ingenuity, as they sail into harm's way.

I support every division of the US armed forces, but Navy carrier ops are just ... SUPER cool. 90,000 tons of sovereign US territory that goes wherever the hell it wants.  

---

AMERICA AT WAR
At Salem the Soldier's Homepage ~
Free Republic's News From the Long War
Islam, a Religion of Peace®? Some links...  by backhoe
Translated Pre-War IRAQ Documents  by jveritas
Mohammed, The Mad Poet Quoted....  by PsyOp
"PLAES DO NOT TOCH THE WAR"  by AnnaZ
One FReeper On The Line  by SNOWFLAKE
The Clash of Ideologies - A Review

"...It's time we recognized the nature of the conflict. It's total war and we are all involved. Nobody on our side is exempted because of age, gender, or handicap. The Islamofacists have stolen childhood from the world." [FReeper Retief]

"...That the totalitarian force pitted against freedom wears a religious makes this civil war among mankind all the more difficult to engage. Loving freedom as we do, it seems reprehensible to deliberate against a religion. But this is no ordinary religion as it demands absolute obedience of all to their religion at the cost of freedom itself." [FReeper Backtothestreets]

[SevenofNine]

Prayers to your son in law Doug and rest of his crew mates

I have feeling something major up I been reading Israeli wire something IS UP

[BuffaloJack]

Anything that we can do to give Ahmadinejad a sleepless night is fine by me. If that means we worry him, OK. If it means that he can’t sleep because of loud noises then that is OK too.

[sageb1]

Prayers up for Josh. May God keep him safe.

[alpha-8-25-02]

GODSPEED TO JOSH AND HIS MATES!

[CDHart]

"he’ll get taught it as one of the first requirements he needs to pass."

I'm glad someone is still teaching it.

Carolyn

[doug from upland]

These are dangerous times, my friend.

[Greystoke]

Godspeed!