THE TENSION: Combat Camera: On Deployment with the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group

PERSIAN GULF (June 6, 2007) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 breaks out of formation high above the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) prior to landing on the flight deck. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is participating in Expeditionary Strike Force Exercises consisting of three Strike Groups; the John C. Stennis Strike Group, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, and the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Wagner (RELEASED)

PERSIAN GULF (June 12, 2007) - Sailors from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) enjoy a camel trek as part of a day safari tour during a port visit in a Middle East. Stennis Sailors enjoyed several tours and activities provided by Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) and United Service Organization (USO) during the six-day port visit. John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Heidi J. Giacalone (RELEASED)

PERSIAN GULF (June 4, 2007) - Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Bryan stands by a .50 caliber machine gun mount on an HH-60H Seahawk attached to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 8 during an exercise that tests the strike group's ability to defend itself against small boat attacks. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is participating in Expeditionary Strike Force Exercise consisting of three Strike Groups; the John C. Stennis Strike Group, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, and the Bonhomme Richards Expeditionary Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Josue Leopoldo Escobosa (RELEASED)

PERSIAN GULF (June 4, 2007) - Seaman Kevin Bruton, from the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team assigned to guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), prepares to pick up the rest of the VBSS team after they complete the boarding of a local tugboat in the Arabian Gulf. USS Preble is conducting Interaction Patrols (IPATS). IPATS are an element of maritime operations and are conducted in Iraqi territorial waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region. Preble is part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ron Reeves (RELEASED)

ARABIAN SEA (June 3, 2007) - Sailors from Helicopter Squadron Combatant (HSC) 23 attach a hook to the bottom of an SH-60 Seahawk during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Bridge conducted underway replenishments and VERTREPs with nine U.S. Navy ships June 1-3. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joshua Cassatt (RELEASED)

PERSIAN GULF (June 3, 2007) - Lt. j.g. Tom Hennessey, officer in charge of guided-missile destroyer USS Preble's (DDG 88) visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team, contacts Preble to receive permission to return to the ship while an Iraqi coalition VBSS team follows close behind. Preble is conducting Interaction Patrols (IPATS), which are an element of maritime operations and are conducted in Iraqi territorial waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region. Preble, as part of John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is conducting maritime operations in the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ron Reeves (RELEASED)

PERSIAN GULF (June 2, 2007) - Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Shane Cooper inspects the inside of a jet engine after installing fuel sprayers on a jet engine's afterburner system in the jet engine shop aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Fuel sprayers inject added fuel into the engine acting as an igniter for the afterburners in the jet engine. John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is conducting operations in support of the global war on terrorism and is participating in an Expeditionary Strike Force Exercise consisting of three Strike Groups: John C. Stennis Strike Group, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, and Bonhomme Richards Expeditionary Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul J. Perkins (RELEASED)

PERSIAN GULF (June 3, 2007) - Visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team member Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Kim Ditzel, attached to the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), patrols in the ship's rigid hull inflatable boat. Interaction Patrols (IPATS) are an element of maritime operations and are conducted in Iraqi territorial waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region. Preble, as part of John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is conducting maritime operations in the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ron Reeves (RELEASED)

PERSIAN GULF (June 5, 2007) - Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Baldwin-Voeks (left) and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Juan Guedea both assigned to the Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) transport medical supplies from Stennis to the amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) as part of a Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) Exercise in the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde (RELEASED)

PERSIAN GULF (June 3, 2007) - Visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team member Enginemen 3rd Class Blain Churchill, attached to the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), drives a rigid hull inflatable boat across the Persian Gulf during an afternoon of Interaction Patrols (IPATS). IPATS are an element of maritime operations and are conducted in Iraqi territorial waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region. Preble, as part of John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is conducting maritime operations in the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ron Reeves (RELEASED)

USS John C. Stennis Returns to OEF Missions Following Port Visit

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea, June 15, 2007 -- USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 returned to the North Arabian Sea June 14 following its third port visit in the Middle East.

Starting June 15, CVW-9 will conduct missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and will provide close air-power support and reconnaissance to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops on the ground in Afghanistan. ISAF is comprised of more than 35,000 troops, with contributions from 37 nations.

“We have met every operational commitment assigned to perfection and have maintained a level of operational readiness second to none,” said Stennis’ Commanding Officer, Capt. Brad Johanson. “Our support to the troops on the ground has made a decisive difference in the region.”

As a Combined Forces Air Component Command (CFACC) asset, CVW-9 integrates closely with multinational coalition forces to prevent and counter Taliban attacks. Carrier aircraft provide close air-power support and deliver ordnance on enemy positions designated by ground forces.

“CVW-9 will be providing a variety of effects, both kinetic and non-kinetic,” said Capt. Sterling Gilliam, commander, CVW-9. “We will be tasked with close air support, reconnaissance and other tactical missions while operating in support of OEF.”

Since arriving in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, CVW-9 has flown over 9,000 hours and has provided more than 65,000 pounds of ordnance in support of coalition forces operating on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq in approximately 200 engagements.

“Throughout our time here on station we have defeated time and time again the Taliban's efforts to launch significant offensive campaigns,” said Johanson. “As we continue to support troops on the ground in Afghanistan we revalidate the importance of coalition forces in bringing stability and security to this critical region.”

Stennis and its strike group entered the Arabian Gulf May 23, along with the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group and the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Expeditionary Strike Group.

While operating in the Arabian Gulf, the three strike groups performed Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) training along with conducting missions in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). It was the first time Stennis, Nimitz and Bonhomme Richard strike groups operated together in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

The ESF training demonstrated the importance of the strike groups’ ability to plan and conduct multi-task force operations as part of the U.S.’s long-standing commitment to maintaining maritime security and stability in the region.

Stennis left its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., Jan. 16 for a regularly scheduled deployment and began operating with coalition forces in 5th Fleet Feb. 19. The USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) has provided direct support to coalition ground forces participating in OEF and OIF, as well as conducting maritime operations.

Maritime operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

The CVW-9 squadrons include the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, “Blue Diamonds” of VFA 146, “Argonauts” of VFA 147, “Death Rattlers” of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 323, “Yellow Jackets” of Electronic Attack Squadron 138, “Golden Hawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112, “Topcats” of Sea Control Squadron 31, “Eightballers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 8 and “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30.

JCSSG includes Stennis, CVW-9, Destroyer Squadron 21, USS Antietam (CG 54), the 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.

(Story by Lt. Nathan Christensen, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, USS John C. Stennis.)