Sailors Return After Eight-Month Deployment

Defend America News ^ | Lt. Shannon Moore

[SandRat]

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. John Fisher greets his wife and seven-month-old daughter at a flight line homecoming on Naval Station Norfolk, Va., after returning with the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, Detachment 3, May 21, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason R. Zalasky
Sailors Return After Eight-Month Deployment
Air Wing completes more than 11,000 sorties in war on terror.
By Lt. Shannon Moore Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va., May 23, 2007 — Pilots and air crew from Carrier Air Wing 7 embarked on board the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) returned May 21 and 22 from a nearly eight-month deployment. More than 1,600 sailors from the air wing will return aboard Ike on May 23. Commanded by Capt. Scott “Sterno” Stearney, the wing flew more than 11,000 sorties and more than 31,500 hours, providing both air support for multinational coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq and maritime security in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. "We were successful in supporting our coalition and regional allies flying missions in support of U.S. and multinational ground troops in both OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom). The hard work of the sailors of CVW-7 helped save lives every day." Capt. Scott Stearney, commander, Carrier Air Wing 7 CVW-7’s 233-day deployment began Oct. 3, when the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group left its homeport of Norfolk, and headed east toward the Mediterranean Sea. After transiting the Suez Canal and chopping into the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations on Oct. 30, CVW-7 began flying combat missions from the North Arabian Sea into Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force on Nov. 6. Over the next six months, the Eisenhower CSG transited repeatedly between the North Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf to support the troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In late February, Ike was joined in the theater by the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group 3. The strike groups conducted a dual-carrier exercise in the Persian Gulf demonstrating multidimensional task force operations. “I’m extremely proud of our nearly 2,000 men and women of CVW-7. We were successful in supporting our coalition and regional allies flying missions in support of U.S. and multinational ground troops in both OIF and OEF. The hard work of the sailors of CVW-7 helped save lives every day,” said Stearney.	During the extended deployment, the two F/A-18 Hornet squadrons, Strike Fighter Squadron 131 “Wildcats” and VFA-83 “Rampagers,” and the two F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons, VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers” and VFA-143 “Pukin’ Dogs,” expended more than 140 laser-guided bombs and Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and performed nearly 70 strafing runs using 20mm cannons on numerous targets in support of ground forces. This support for the global war on terrorism was in addition to the essential missions of strike group defense and maritime security operations. Of note, this deployment marked the first for VFA-103 and VFA-143 since their transition from the F-14 Tomcat to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Command and control of all aircraft transiting in and out of overland missions, as well as all aircraft providing strike group defense and conducting traditional maritime security operations was professionally handled by the E-2C Hawkeyes of the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 “Tigertails.” Dominance of the electromagnetic spectrum of both Iraq and Afghanistan was conducted simultaneously by the Electronic Attack Squadron 140 “Patriots,” a first for any EA-6B Prowler squadron. In addition to providing the strike group’s anti-submarine and anti-surface defense, as well as combat search and rescue, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 5 conducted eight replenishments at sea and logistics flights into almost a dozen countries totaling more than 500,000 pounds of cargo and 900 passengers delivered. This fleet support was in addition to the impressive performance of the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 “Rawhides.” Their two C-2 Greyhound aircraft transported more than 1.2 million pounds of cargo and nearly 5,000 passengers to and from Ike. Having traveled more than 69,000 nautical miles, conducted operations in support of three campaigns, and visiting four foreign ports, CVW-7 began its transition home on May 21 with the fly-off of VRC-40. On May 22, air crews returned to Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Va., Jacksonville, Fla., and Oak Harbor, Wash.

[SandRat]

WOO-HOO!!!!

[mdittmar]

Welcome home Sailors,and THANK YOU.

[rwgal]

Welcome home,...the fly guys are the first to get home, usually the sailors on the ships take from a week to 10 days longer to get on dry ground...but welcome home anyway...

Meadow Muffin

[BluH2o]

He doesn’t appear that pleased with being reunited with his family.
I give this marriage another 6 months ...

[cubreporter]

What in the world?????

[A.A. Cunningham]

Why they serve.

070522-N-6247M-008 WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (May 22, 2007) – Children watch as their father Lt. Cmdr Adam Carlstrom taxis up to the hanger in an EA-6B Prowler aircraft during a homecoming ceremony at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 completed an eight-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bruce McVicar (RELEASED)