JFK To Make Pensacola Port Visit

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) will make a four-day port visit to Pensacola, Fla., starting March 17.

“Pensacola is a great Navy city that, over the years, has been central to naval training. We are extremely pleased to be able to have the JFK visit Pensacola,” said Vice Adm. Gary Roughead, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic.

The arrival of John F. Kennedy, commanded by Capt. Ronald H. Henderson Jr., marks the first visit to Pensacola for an aircraft carrier since June 2000, when USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and its crew pulled in for a brief stop during carrier qualifications. This much-deserved port visit will give the more than 5,000 JFK Sailors a chance to relax after taking part in the Carrier Strike Group's (CSG) Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

COMPTUEX is an intermediate level exercise designed to forge the strike group into a cohesive fighting team, and is a critical step in pre-deployment training.

“The strike group training we are able to accomplish in the Gulf of Mexico and in Florida is absolutely vital to preparing our naval forces for combat operations in support of the war on terrorism or any other tasking that may come our way,” said Roughead.

During COMPTUEX, more than a dozen ships and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, embarked aboard John F. Kennedy, conducted war game exercises using training ranges along the East Coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico. The exercise took advantage of existing ranges under the Navy’s comprehensive Training Resource Strategy. These ranges offer training facilities and realistic simulations, better preparing U.S. Navy ships and Sailors to participate in the global war on terrorism.

“The global war on terrorism continues, but under the new Fleet Response Plan and with the effective training we provide our men and women, we are ready to carry out any mission assigned,” said Roughead.

For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.

020817-N-9719H-002 Naval Station Mayport, Florida (Aug. 17, 2002) -- Sailors “Man the Rails” of USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) as the aircraft carrier in guided into port by tug boats. Kennedy is returning home after completing a six month long deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Dominick Haen. (RELEASED)

040306-N-4374S-015 Atlantic Ocean (Mar. 6, 2004) – An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the “Tigertails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Two Five (VAW-125) makes its final approach to the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CV 67) after completing a training mission. The Kennedy Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17) are currently conducting Composite Training Unit Exercises (COMPTUEX) while preparing for future deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

040306-N-4374S-007 Atlantic Ocean (Mar. 6, 2004) – An F-14 Tomcat, center, assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) and an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron Three Four (VFA-34), prepare for a catapult launch aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The Kennedy Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17) are currently conducting Composite Training Unit Exercises (COMPTUEX) while preparing for future deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

040226-N-4374S-003 Atlantic Ocean (Feb. 26, 2004) – An aircraft director signals to an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the “Scorpions” of Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Two (VAQ-132) to taxi forward on catapult number one during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). John F. Kennedy and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17) are currently conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercises (COMPTUEX) while preparing the Carrier Strike Group (CSG). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

040229-N-4374S-008 Florida Coast (Feb. 29, 2004)– Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Jon Garth, assigned to the “Red Lions” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron One Five (HS-15), mans a .50 caliber machine gun aboard an HH-60H Seahawk during a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) exercise over the coast of Florida. The “Red Lions” are currently embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), designed to prepare ships and aircraft in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) for future deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

040229-N-4374S-006 Florida Coast (Feb. 29, 2004) - Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Wes Vinson, assigned to the “Red Lions” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron One Five (HS-15), monitors his surroundings for any visual contacts aboard an HH-60H Seahawk during a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) exercise off the coast of Florida. The “Red Lions” are currently embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which is designed to prepare ships and air wing in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) for future deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

040226-N-4374S-005 Atlantic Ocean (Feb. 26, 2004) – An F-14B Tomcat assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) launches from the number one catapult during the flight operations aboard John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The aircraft carrier is off the coast of Florida conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) to prepare the ships and aircraft in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) for future deployment. U.S. Navy Photograph by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

040227-N-4190W-001 Atlantic Ocean (Feb. 27, 2004) – Aviation Machinist's Mates install a drain on an F/A-18C Hornet engine in the Jet Shop aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy and her carrier strike group are conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), an intermediate exercise designed to forge the strike group into a cohesive fighting team and a critical step in pre-deployment training. U.S. photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Christian Weibull. (RELEASED)

040222-N-4374S-004 Atlantic Ocean (Feb. 22, 2004) – An S-3B Viking assigned to the “Diamondcutters” of Sea Control Squadron Three Zero (VS-30) prepares to land aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The “Diamondcutters” are currently embarked aboard John F. Kennedy for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUX). COMPTUX is intermediate level training for elements of the John F. Kennedy Carrier Strike Group (CSG) during preparations for future deployment. U.S. Navy photo Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael. (RELEASED)

040219-N-4374S-010 Atlantic Ocean (Feb. 19, 2004) – An F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron Eight Three (VFA-83) launches from one of four steam powered catapults aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The “Rampagers” assigned to Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17) are currently embarked aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUX). COMPTUX is intermediate level training for elements of the John F. Kennedy Carrier Strike Group (CSG) during preparations for future deployment. U.S. Navy photo Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael. (RELEASED)

040201-N-2541H-002 Aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Feb. 1, 2004 – After the successful completion of carrier qualifications Sailors are gathered in the ship’s hangar bay to watch Super Bowl XXXVIII. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman William R. Heimbuch III. (RELEASED)

040201-N-2541H-001 Aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Feb. 1, 2004 – Capt. Ronald H. Henderson, Commanding Officer, USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), briefs the crew on a successful completion of carrier qualifications during Super Bowl Sunday events in the ship’s hangar bay. Members of the Miami dolphins cheerleading team were flown aboard to perform and sign autographs during the Sunday football event. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman William R. Heimbuch III. (RELEASED)

031121-N-4190W-001 The Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 21, 2003 -- An E-2C Hawkeye equipped with two NP2000 eight-bladed, digitally controlled propellers makes its first carrier arrested landing, while conducting testing aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The new propellers provide less vibration and less noise than the four-bladed ones now in use. This is the initial carrier certification of the new props. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Christian Weibull. (RELEASED)

031113-N-4190W-002 Atlantic Ocean (Nov. 13, 2003) -- At sea aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Crash and Salvage crewmembers assigned to V-1 Division perform a routine maintenance check on the flight deck Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) sprinkler system. AFFF is a concentrated mixture that was developed to combat class B fires. AFFF is a slightly amber-colored liquid that, when in solution with water, floats on the surface of fuels and creates a “vapor lock.” Kennedy is conducting carrier qualifications in the Cherry Point operating area, following a $300 million maintenance period in her homeport of Mayport, Fla. The overhaul included a major renovation of berthing compartments, and new navigational radar system. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Christian Weibull. (RELEASED)

031117-N-8704K-005 Aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Nov. 17, 2003 -- An F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Five (VFA-105), is launched from the flight deck aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). Kennedy is conducting Carrier Qualifications in the Cherry Point operating area. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Joshua Karsten. (RELEASED)

030213-N-0874H-003 Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville, Fla. (Feb 13, 2002) -- President George W. Bush personally thanks Senior Chief Machinists Mate Arden Battle, stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) for his outstanding community service efforts with local elementary school children, area Special Olympics, and The Salvation Army. President Bush later visited with Sailors and their families, thanking them for their sacrifices and the continuing effort with the global war on terror. “The United States Navy carries the might and the mission of America to the farthest parts of the world,” the President said. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Chuck Hill. (RELEASED)

020815-N-0872M-504 Norfolk, Va. (Aug. 15, 2002) -- USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) passes through the Chesapeake Bay as the ship approaches the naval station in Norfolk, Va. The Kennedy will disembark part of her air wing personnel before continuing her journey to Mayport, Fla., where the ship is homeported. Kennedy just completed a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Martin Maddock. (RELEASED)

020725-N-6492H-555 At sea aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Jul. 25, 2002 -- Aircrewmen are lifted from the flight deck of USS John F. Kennedy by an HH-60H “Seahawk” helicopter from the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine / Search and Rescue Squadron Five (HS-5). The Nightdippers are embarked aboard the Kennedy conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo byPhotographer’s Mate 1st Class Jim Hampshire. (RELEASED)

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