Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Joins Others Deployed to 5th Fleet

Navy Newsstand ^ | 4/7/2003 4:01:00 PM | Seaman Kristine DeHoux

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Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Joins Others Deployed to 5th Fleet

Story Number: NNS030407-10

Release Date: 4/7/2003 4:01:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Kristine DeHoux, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group recently entered the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility, making it the fourth carrier strike group in the region deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is accompanied by USS Chosin (CG 65), USS Princeton (CG 59), USS Benfold (DDG 65), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), USS Oldendorf (DD 972) and USS Bridge (AOE 10).

This deployment marks the first time the carrier has deployed to the U.S. Central Command region since 1997. As the lead ship in its class, Nimitz was the first to conduct a refueling complex overhaul, which required the ship to return to its birthplace of Newport News, Va., for three years in 1998.

Upon completion of its refueling complex overhaul, Nimitz conducted an interfleet transfer to its new homeport of San Diego. After a brief post-shakedown availability at Naval Air Station, North Island, Nimitz and crew began preparing for deployment.

Nimitz and its carrier strike group, lead by Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 5, Rear Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, were certified ready for deployment in January.

For related news, visit the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn68.

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USS Nimitz on station, ready for action...

[PhiKapMom]

And the USS Lincoln and her carrier group is now headed home after an extended deployment with a stop in San Diego to let off the aircrews and then onto Washington State to its home port.

[maeng]

Have a son-in-law on Nimitz. Pray for their safe return, please.

[P8riot]

Yep! My best friend's son is an F-18 pilot (call sign Lo Roller) with VF-113 Stingers. He's been deployed with the Lincoln since July. Time to come home for some well deserved R&R after a job superbly done. We're all looking forward to having him home. But not as much as his wife. They were married 7 months before he deployed.

KGW in Portland, OR has had a correspondent, Pat Dooris, on board the Lincoln for several months they have some really cool video and writeups from the deployment at their website

[Conservateacher]

Sounds like a welcome home rally is in order. Approximately when do they arrive?

[PhiKapMom]

My daughter has friends on the Lincoln from her VS-41 squadron on North Island. So glad that she is on shore duty with the training part of the squadron right now.

The plane that had hydraulics failure on the USS Constellation and went off the carrier after landing was from her squadron.

This is just great news for everyone associated with the USS Lincon and his carrier group.

[PhiKapMom]

Prayers for your son-in-law aboard the Nimitz!

[TopQuark]

G-d bless him and the rest of the boys and girls.

[Malacoda]

My daughter's Godfather is on the Nimitz, flying an SB-3. Good to see that they're taking care of business, but we'll all breathe a sigh of relief when he's home safe!

[maeng]

Thanks, and I pray for all aboard...for a safe and speedy return to America!

[soxfan]

RADM Sam Locklear, and the CO, USS Princeton (name is not mentioned in the article and therefore I won't mention it, either) are both USNA '77, 7th Co. Seadogs! And I just couldn't be any prouder of those guys. Especially in light of the 7th Company guys who've gone before them in the fight against terrorism over the last 20 years.

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To All:

Having a 4th carrier can help decrease the workload. So the USS Lincoln may be leaving shortly, but there may be some overlap to give the "hangar crews" a break.

Splitting a workload by four instead of by three helps.

But hopefully, the need for all of these carriers will wind down very quickly and there deployment in the area will end shortly.

The US Navy is at present only has a few carriers in port: USS Enterprise, USS John F Kennedy, USS Eisenhower, and the USS George Washington.

I wonder why the USS America (CVN 66) was strickened from the active list -- slated to be scrapped. It is a much newer carrier than the USS Kitty Hawk or the USS Constellation.