THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Stennis Carrier Strike Group Arrives in 5th Fleet

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 16, 2007)- An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the “Golden Hawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One One Two (VAW-112) prepares for an arrested landing aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) is currently on deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 16, 2007) - Two E-2C Hawkeyes assigned to the "Golden Hawks" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One One Two (VAW-112) fly over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) is currently on deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 16, 2007) - An F/A-18C Hornet from the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Six (VFA-146) flies over the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) is currently on deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 17, 2007) - From left to right, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Eric Labrecque, Airman Thomas Gerold, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Dusty Garcia stand watch in hangar deck control during a general quarters (GQ) drill aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). GQ is designed to train Sailors on what to do in case of an actual casualty. Stennis is transiting west toward the 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 17, 2007) - Chief Fire Controlman Walter Bayne, assigned to combat systems department's anti-ship missile division, sits next to a Phalanx Close In Weapons System (CIWS) 20mm machine gun on the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Bayne is one of seven Sailors assigned to Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) selected for the Limited Duty Officer/Chief Warrant Officer program. Stennis is transiting west toward the 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 16, 2007) - Final checkers give the okay for an F/A-18C Hornet from the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron Three Two Three (VMFA-323) to launch off the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) is currently on deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 16, 2007) - An F/A-18C Hornet from the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Six (VFA-146) approach for a landing aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) is currently on deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ron Reeves (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb.13, 2007) - Seaman Shante Lancour observes passing ships through the "big eyes" binoculars during sunset while standing port-forward lookout watch aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is transiting the Straits of Malacca near Singapore as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) towards the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility as part of a deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Corey R. Oesch (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 14, 2007) - An HH-60H Seahawk assigned to the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Eight (HS-8) flies over the Union Alliance, a civilian merchant ship while the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) transits the Straits of Malacca near Singapore. Stennis is steaming west as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) towards the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility as part of a deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ron Reeves (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 13, 2007) - A plane captain signals an E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the "Golden Hawks" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One One Two (VAW-112) prior to launch on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis, having conducted flight and integrated strike group operations off the coast of Guam, is steaming west as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) towards the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility as part of a deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 10, 2007) - Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Richard Adrian looks through binoculars for surface contacts while standing the port forward watch on the signal bridge as Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) transits the Surigao Straits. Stennis, having conducted flight and integrated Strike Group operations off the coast of Guam, is transiting west as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) toward the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ron Reeves (RELEASED)

Pacific Ocean (Feb. 10, 2007) - The sun sets as Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) transits the Surigao Straits off the coast of the Philippine Islands. Stennis, having conducted flight and integrated Strike Group operations off the coast of Guam, is transiting west as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) toward the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ron Reeves (RELEASED)

USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Arrives in 5th Fleet
By Lt. Nathan Christensen
USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (CUSNC) -- The USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) Feb.19 to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in regional waters, as well as to provide support for ground forces operating in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Led by Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, the strike group includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Carrier Air Wing 9, Destroyer Squadron 21, the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77) and USS Preble (DDG 88), and the fast combat-support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10). More than 6,500 Sailors and Marines are assigned to JCSSG.

“The USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is here to help foster stability and security in the region,” said Quinn. “We look forward to working with our coalition partners to provide support for ground forces operating in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as conducting maritime security operations that help provide a safe environment for shipping within the region. We are ready, we are sustainable, we are flexible and we provide significant capabilities that contribute to regional peace and security.”