The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) (Big E), got underway May 22 following about one week in its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk.
During their in port period, Big E hosted a change of command ceremony for Commander, Fleet Forces Command, and held its own change of command ceremony for its new Commanding Officer, Capt. Ron Horton. For the next few weeks, Enterprise, along with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 will be conducting carrier qualifications, maintaining combat readiness for its upcoming surge deployment.
The Navy’s Fleet Response Plan depends on its ships’ ability to deploy at any given moment to anywhere in the world. According to Horton, the Enterprise and its air wing is determined and dedicated to supporting combat operations and winning the global war on terrorism.
“With the Fleet Response Plan, we will get to the fight faster, keep operational readiness high and rapidly respond to every call,” Horton said. “We will increase the operational availability of our forces through the continued commitment and resourcefulness of our highly capable Sailors and Marines.”
The Big E is the centerpiece of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, which also includes the guided-missile destroyers USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) and USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95); the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), the fast-attack submarine USS
Philadelphia (SSN 690) and the fast-combat supply ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6).
In addition to being the flagship of the strike group, Enterprise is also the home to CVW-1. The air wing is comprised of the “Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet; the “Knighthawks” of VFA 136; the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86; the “Thunderbolts” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251 all flying the F/A-18 Hornet. Also joining CVW-1 are the “Dragonslayers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11 flying the SH-60 Seahawk; the “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 flying the EA-6B Prowler; the “Maulers” of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32 flying the S-3B Viking; the “Screwtops of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 flying the E-2C Hawkeye; and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 flying the C-2A Greyhound.