"The real thing"

Sea Power, Jun 2002 by Peterson, Gordon I

USS Abraham Lincoln Prepares for Phase Two of War on Terrorism

"Most of us, most of the time, live in blissful ignorance of what a small, elite, heroic group of Americans are doing for us night and day. As we speak, all over the globe, American Sailors and naval aviators are doing something very dangerous. Right now, young men and women are landing high-performance jet aircraft on the pitching decks of aircraft carriers-at night. You can't pay people to do that. ... They do their mission out of love of country, of adventure, and of the challenge."

George Will, ABC News

Last summer, Chief Electronics Technician Mark Lind was nearing the end of a Navy recruiting assignment in Minnesota. The 20-year veteran enjoyed the challenge of introducing a new generation of young Americans to the opportunities of naval service, but he had decided to return to civilian life to be able to spend more time with his family. The Navy had approved Lind's request for retirement 18 months earlier, and he had been authorized to begin terminal leave at the end of September.

The events of 9/11 intervened to change those plans. Lind is now the leading chief petty officer assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln's Combat Systems Interior Communications Division.

"When I returned home on 9/11, I spoke to my wife and children," Lind told Sea Power. "Everyone was upset-the kids were crying. My son, Daniel, 13, looked at me and said, `Dad, I guess you're not retiring.' I said, 'I think you're right, son.'"

Lind called the Navy Personnel Command the next day to ask that his retirement papers be rescinded. "When I looked at all the young people I was recruiting to serve their country," he said, "I realized that it would take them 20 years to learn what I know."

Navywide, nearly 300 officers and senior personnel pulled their retirement letters during the immediate aftermath of 9/11

The Navy approved Lind's request to reenlist for assignment to the Abraham Lincoln in time for her battle group's deployment this summer to support Phase Two in the war on terrorism. Asked to describe his outlook as the deployment date approaches, Lind simply said, "Let's roll."

Lind's sense of duty is mirrored in the activities of the more than 5,000 men and women assigned to the Abraham Lincoln, and to its embarked carrier air wing (CVW 14), during the final weeks of their predeployment training.

"We prepare to be able to go anywhere, anytime to perform the missions assigned to us," said Rear Adm. John M. Kelly, commander of Cruiser-Destroyer Group Three, and of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Battle Group. "We will be ready. The president told us to be ready."

During recent months, the battle group's surface ships, submarines, and aviation squadrons have progressed through the Navy's stair-stepped interdeployment training cycle of individual and unit training, a composite exercise, and, in May, a major joint task force exercise-a "JTFEX"-involving units from all branches of the armed forces.

Asked to assess the state of his crew's morale, Capt. Douglas K. Dupouy, the Abraham Lincoln's commanding officer, told Sea Power that it has been exceptional. "They are performing to every expectation," Dupouy said. "Motivated. Dedicated. Hard working. We train to the high end of the threat."

Dupouy, his officers, and his senior petty officers have devoted considerable time to ready all crew members and their families for the battle group's deployment. "We want to be 100 percent sure that our people have prepared their families and understand how to solve issues when they arise," he said. Asked how he would define success for his ship's sixmonth deployment, Dupouy said it would be to fulfill his mission satisfactorily and to bring his Sailors home safely.

"The mood on the ship is somewhat expectant," said Senior Chief Intelligence Specialist Thomas Nank of the ship's upcoming deployment for a wartime mission. "Many kids have never experienced this type of situation before-far from home."

Division officers discuss such realities frequently at morning quarters. Older, more experienced petty officers work closely with younger Sailors to ensure they understand the environment they will face.

"I hope we don't miss the fight,'" Nank told Sea Power. "This time it will be the real thing."

By GORDON I. PETERSON

Senior Editor