THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Harry S. Truman; April 16, 2008

PERSIAN GULF (April 15, 2008) Air department Sailors push soapy brooms across the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during an evening scrub exercise. Truman is deployed supporting maritime security operations. Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Grieco (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (April 15, 2008) Saluting Sailors on the flight deck, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead departs the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Roughead is visiting Naval Forces Central Command area of responsibility to strengthen international maritime partnerships as part of the "Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower." U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (April 2, 2008) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Swordsmen" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32 flies above the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 are on a scheduled deployment supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo J. Reyes (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (April 15, 2008) Sailors assigned to Air department spray down the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) with a fire hose in an effort to remove built up dirt and grime during a sunset scrubbing exercise. Truman is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Grieco (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (April 15, 2008) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead speaks with Sailors and answers questions during an all hands call aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Roughead is visiting Naval Forces Central Command area of responsibility to strengthen international maritime partnerships as part of the "Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower." U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (April 2, 2008) Two F/A-18F Super Hornets assigned the "Swordsmen" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32 fly above the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 are deployed supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo J. Reyes (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (March 28, 2008) Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) monitor flight operations from the ship's carrier air traffic control center. Truman is deployed supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Grieco (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (March 26, 2008) Flight deck personnel prepare to launch the next aircraft in the launch cycle, March 26, 2008 after successfully catapulting an F/A-18 Hornet from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during flight operations in the Persian Gulf. Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 are deployed supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Matthew A. Lawson (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (April 10, 2008) Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Robert Leggett installs a power transmission shaft in an F/A-18C in Hangar Bay two aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Matthew A. Lawson (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (April 2, 2008) Lt. Scott Elrod, assigned to the "Swordsmen" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, checks on his passenger while flying an F/A-18F Super Hornet aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 are on a scheduled deployment supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo J. Reyes (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (April 02, 2008) Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Joseph Mileker, assigned to the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, fires a shotgun from aircraft elevator four during weapons qualification aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN75. Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 deployed supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ann Marie Lazarek (Released)

PERSIAN GULF (March 23, 2008) Command Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Steven Smith reads from the Bible during a Protestant Easter service aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 are deployed supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Kevin T. Murray Jr. (Released)

Dispatches from the Front:

CNO Visits USS Harry S. Truman

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea, April 16, 2008 (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead visited the crew of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) April 15 to address Sailors deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO).

Roughead is visiting the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) AOO to strengthen international maritime partnerships as part of the Navy's Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower and meet with regional leaders in an effort to increase dialogue and cooperation.

During his visit to Harry S. Truman, Roughead took time to award three commendation medals as well as reenlist 38 Sailors. He also held an all-hands call for the crew. During his address, the CNO said it was an honor to visit the ship because the crew has done a phenomenal job of representing the dedication and commitment of the U.S. Navy.

"The work of this particular strike group has been extraordinary," he said. "You all are setting the bar, and you should be very proud of that."

Roughead said Sailors should also realize they are making a contribution to the big picture by flawlessly performing daily operations.

"You should be very proud of the operations you are conducting," he said. "The work that you're doing, whether its flying strikes into Iraq, supporting coalition efforts in the Arabian Gulf or the work you're doing with other coalition partners … all makes a huge difference. It's consistent with the strategy that we outline in our program as to where we're taking our Navy."

The Arabian Gulf is a body of water more commonly known as the Persian Gulf.

During his address to the crew, Roughead discussed a ground-breaking change-of-command for Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 between Rear Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG)10, and the Royal Bahraini Navy.

"This is the first time that an Arab nation has stepped up to the leadership role," Roughead said. "I believe when we look back at this, it will resound as a significant event in history and you all have been part of that."

CTF 152 is responsible for Maritime Security Operations in the Central and Southern Persian Gulf. Roughead also discussed his top three priorities while aboard Truman.

"Number one, we have to maintain the readiness we have today to ensure you are able to go out and do the job and be ready to do the things that the nation asks of us," he said. "Another aspect is building tomorrow's Navy. And the other part that, to me is the most important, is about people. If we stand on the ship today and look at the airplanes or fly around in helicopters, all of that has no value … until you make [it all] come alive. What you give to our Navy is absolutely irreplaceable."

Truman is underway in the Persian Gulf on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO are focused on reassuring regional partners of the coalition's commitment to help set conditions for security and stability. U.S. forces maintain a naval and air presence in the region that deters destabilizing activities while safeguarding the region's vital links to the global economy.

(Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Heather Weaver, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs.)