Big 'E,' Kearsarge, Work Together in Red Sea

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Austin Rooney, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

RED SEA (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) steamed alongside each other in the Red Sea to conduct a photo exercise and host leadership visits, Feb. 16.

Rear Adm. Peg D. Klein, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, visited Enterprise as the ships practiced steaming alongside each other in formation.

"It is important that we learn to work together," said Klein. "Enterprise's entire deployment within 5th fleet will depend on its ability to work with other ships and to learn their capabilities."

Cmdr. Michael Bobulinski, USS Enterprise combat direction center officer, said the exercise conducted with Kearsarge helped train both crews in a variety of skills.

"Working with other ships improves the readiness and preparedness for all involved," said Bobulinksi. "As long as the U.S. Navy is required to operate in the global environment, each ship in her inventory will find itself reliant on one or more of her sister ships and/or coalition partners around the world."

Enterprise is on its 21st deployment. The Enterprise Strike Group consists of Enterprise, guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.