Securing the gulf

All Hands, July, 2007 by Nathan Christensen

Since the dawn of the 20th century, the U.S. Navy has played an instrumental role in shaping and molding American foreign policy abroad. President Roosevelt's Great White Fleet demonstrated the unequivocal influence forward deployed U.S. ships could have throughout the world. Perhaps no group of ships have had as significant a role in projecting power at sea or ashore than carrier strike groups.

During World War II, the U.S. Navy first relied heavily on aircraft carriers and their escort ships to win important victories in the Pacific against the Empire of Japan. Some 60 years later, U.S. aircraft carriers and their strike groups are still the focus and centerpiece of naval warfare helping to ensure security and stability throughout the world.

The modern carrier strike group (CSG) is comprised of an aircraft carrier and her embarked air wing. Escorted by four surface combatant ships and a logistical replenishment ship ensures CSGs are ready on arrival wherever duty may call. CSGs are capable of conducting a whole host of operations ranging from providing offensive firepower to performing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

"Our strike group provides an agile, flexible, responsive and robust set of capabilities ranging from humanitarian assistance all the way up through major combat operations," said Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). "We are ready, we are sustainable, we are flexible, and we provide awesome combat capability."

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Led by Quinn, the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) is currently conducting operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The 6,500 Sailors who comprise JCSSG conduct a broad spectrum of missions in the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea. These missions include maritime operations, providing support for ground forces operating in Afghanistan and working alongside coalition partners, including a French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its battle group.

While operating in 5th Fleet, Stennis' primary role has been to provide support for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops.

"Our current mission is to provide air support to the coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan," said Capt. Brad Johanson, Stennis' commanding officer. "There are currently 35,000 coalition security force personnel from 37 different countries providing assistance to the government of Afghanistan to help stabilize their nation. We are providing an opportunity for the government of Afghanistan to establish a secure foundation for democracy in their nation."

Quinn noted the success Stennis has provided thus far to the soldiers, Marines, Sailors and other coalition forces on the ground.

"Reports from ground forces in combat say our aircraft are providing the support they need and are making a real difference in the fight against the Taliban," said Quinn. "Not only are we helping our troops on the ground and saving lives, but we're helping the Afghan people."

As a Combined Forces Air Component Command (CFACC) asset, Carrier Air Wing (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.

Johanson noted that everyone aboard Stennis plays an important role in achieving mission success.

"Support for coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq starts here on the deckplates of Stennis, where everyone plays a vital role in achieving overall mission success in OEF and OIF," said Johanson. "From those preparing food in the galley to personnel on the flight deck maintaining and launching aircraft to the engineers who provide propulsion for the ship, everyone has important responsibilities. The men and women of Stennis ensure that the ship is able to successfully launch aircraft to execute operations in support of OEF and OIF."

More importantly, Stennis' Sailors know they are key to achieving success wherever a CSG's mission tasking may take them.

"Eighteen hours a day I'm down here in the bakery," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Eugene Ward, Stennis' head baker. "A lot of people might wonder if the ship's baker contributes to the success of the mission. But I know I do. When I bake, I know that I'm not only ensuring the crew is well fed, but am also bringing the crew happiness and a sense of home even though we're in the middle of the ocean."

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Aviation Machinist Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Zachary Bursnall is the leading petty officer of Stennis' jet repair shop and helps to keep the air wing's aircraft engines running.

"Here in the jet shop, we make sure that any discrepancies or deficiencies in aircraft engines are repaired so that airplanes can fly and conduct their assigned missions," Bursnall said. "The aircraft on board have flown thousands of hours and it's our job to ensure they are able to keep flying."