THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Aboard USS Kitty Hawk; July 5, 2008

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (July 1, 2008) Sailors man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as she transits the Pearl Harbor channel to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2008. RIMPAC will be Kitty Hawk's last major exercise before the aircraft carrier is decommissioned at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington early next year. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 26, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) receives fuel from the Military Sealift Command auxiliary oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) while steaming through the central Pacific Ocean. The ships will both be taking part in the 'Rim of the Pacific' exercise off Hawaii in July with units from Australia, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom. This will be Kitty Hawk's last exercise before returning to the U.S. mainland for decommissioning in early 2009. Kitty Hawk will be replaced by USS George Washington (CVN 73) this summer as the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier operating from Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Seaman Anthony R. Martinez (Released)

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (July 1, 2008) Children salute the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk as the ship enters Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Kitty Hawk is making a port visit to Pearl Harbor before taking part in exercise Rim of the Pacific 2008 off Hawaii this month with units from Australia, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Taking part are 35 ships, 6 submarines, more than 150 aircraft, and 20,000 sailors, airmen, marines, soldiers and coast guardsmen. This will be the last exercise for Kitty Hawk before returning to the U.S. mainland for decommissioning in early 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Don Bray (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 18, 2008) Sailors stand clear of a Strike Fighter Squadron 192 F/A-18C Hornet as it takes off from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is the oldest active-duty warship in the U.S. Navy and will be replaced this summer by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Reckard (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 23, 2008) The Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334), front, and the frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) sail on the starboard side of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is returning to the United States for decommissioning after 47 years of service, 10 of which have been in Japan and will be replaced by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) this summer. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Reckard (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 20, 2008) Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle Gahlau, right, of Conyers, Ga., photographs Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class John Tran, left, and Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Marquis Pinder as they run after attaching a cargo pennant to a Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 MH-60S Seahawk aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). The ship is returning to the United States for decommissioning after 47 years of service and will be replaced by USS George Washington (CVN 73) this summer as the Navy's only carrier operating from Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony R. Martinez (Released)

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, (July 1, 2008) Visitors to Naval Station Pearl Harbor look on as the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) ties up at pier. The carrier is taking part in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 off Hawaii this month with units from the U.S., Australia, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom. This will be the final exercise for Kitty Hawk before returning to the U.S. mainland for decommissioning in early 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Don Bray (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 15, 2008) Seaman Jevon Standback, of Chicago, Ill., stands helmsman watch on the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). The helmsman steers the ship and the lee helmsman, not shown, controls the ship's speed. Kitty Hawk is returning to the United States for decommissioning after 47 years of service. Kitty Hawk will be replaced by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) later this summer. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Reinhardt (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 17, 2008) Sailors assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 conduct a post-flight check on the cockpit of an EA-6B Prowler aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is returning to the United States for decommissioning after 47 years of service. The ship will be replaced by nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 15, 2008) Operations Specialist Seaman Tristan Exum watches the radar on the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) to report aircraft positions. Kitty Hawk is returning to the United States for decommissioning after 47 years of service. Kitty Hawk will be replaced by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) later this summer. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Reinhardt (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 16, 2008) Members of the crash and salvage crew aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk drive across the flight deck as a Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 14 aircraft lands in the background. Kitty Hawk is returning to the United States for decommissioning after 47 years of service. The ship will be replaced by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) this summer as the Navy's only carrier operating from Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Reinhardt (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 15, 2008) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is returning to the United States for decommissioning after 47 years of service, 10 of which have been in Japan and will be replaced by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) this summer. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau (Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (2008 FILE PHOTO) Machinist's Mate Fireman Apprentice Tommy Stanley, a native of Kirbyville, Texas, plays his guitar aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John J. Mike (Released)

On the Home Front:

Kitty Hawk Sailors Surprise Shipmate on Nashville Star

NASHVILLE, Tenn.July 5, 2008 -- Sailors from USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) flew off the ship to travel to Nashville, to support their fellow shipmate, a Nashville Star contestant.

Machinist's Mate Fireman Tommy Stanley had no idea his shipmates were present for the show. They were kept hidden back stage until host Billy Ray Cyrus told Stanley there was a surprise for him.

Three Kitty Hawk Sailors in their dress whites, walked out onto the stage, introduced themselves to the audience and offered words of congratulations and encouragement to Stanley.

"It is awesome that we got to come to Nashville to support Stanley," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Kody Davis. "He is one of my best friends and to see him and how far he has come is awesome."

Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Reinhardt told Stanley, along with the viewing audience, that from the first time he heard Stanley, sing he knew he was talented.

After the Sailors left the stage they were escorted to VIP seating where they watched the rest of the show. Following the show they were able to spend a little time with Stanley before they returned to Kitty Hawk.

Stanley was stationed aboard Kitty Hawk when his fellow Sailor and friend, Reinhardt, filmed his first video for Nashville Star.

"We only had two days to put the video together, but it was great to be able to help out a friend," said Reinhardt.

NBC liked Reinhardt's initial video so much that they asked him to shoot more footage so that it could be used on the first Nashville Star show, which aired June 9.

Reinhardt explained that he put together between six and seven hours of footage for NBC.

"It was surreal to have the footage I shot for a friend air on national television," said Reinhardt. "I was incredibly honored to be able to shoot the footage and to have NBC like it. It left me just speechless."

Stanley is one of the top eight contestants on the show.

Even though his shipmates aboard Kitty Hawk have not been able to watch the shows when they air, they have been tracking his success. The ship set up a special section on their Web site called, "Fireman Stanley Star Watch," to keep Stanley's shipmates informed on his progress.

(Story by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kimberly deJong, Navy Recruiting District Nashville Public Affairs.)