By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steve Owsley
BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) completed its 2009 deployment July 10 when it pulled into homeport in Bremerton, Wash., after six months at sea.
Stennis made a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) which included Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Preble (DDG 88), USS Kidd (DDG 100) and the staffs of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3.
"We deployed to the western Pacific Ocean in support of our nation's maritime strategy to ensure freedom of the seas and security in the Pacific Rim," said Commander Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 3 Rear Adm. Mark Vance.
During deployment Stennis participated in an undersea warfare exercise with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, annual Exercise Foal Eagle with the Republic of Korea Navy and joint exercise Northern Edge.
According to Stennis Commanding Officer Capt. Joseph Kuzmick, the deployment allowed Stennis to improve regional maritime security, while strengthening relationships with partner nations.
"We increased our tactics, techniques and procedures and ability to work with [Pacific Rim] enduring partners, so we're much better as a combined and joint force working with other navies and air forces," said Kuzmick. "We also got great work done with our own joint services up in Northern Edge in the Gulf of Alaska."
While deployed, Stennis and other assets of JCSCSG increased maritime security in the western Pacific Ocean through their forward presence, working with partner nations' militaries during exercises and local community leaders during port visits.
