Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Mike Condlin, from Fayetteville, N.C., directs an F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter assigned to the "Experts" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 onto a catapult for launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is conducting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications off the coast of California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josue L. Escobosa/Released) USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) departed her homeport in Bremerton, Wash., Jan. 13 for a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment.
Stennis will join Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, to form the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG), which will support regional stability in the Western Pacific.
The deployment is part of the Navy's Fleet Response Plan (FRP), which is designed to allow the United States the ability to rapidly respond with flexible and sustainable force to any global commitment on short notice.
"Anytime we deploy, our primary mission is to standby and be ready to support the war on terror wherever that may be," said Stennis Commanding Officer Capt. Joseph Kuzmick. "Terrorism takes many forms around the world, and there are a couple of hot spots in the world right now that we might participate in actively."
JCSCSG plans to maintain the strike group's operational
skill set and increase inter-operability with its allies through joint exercises.
"Some of it is just keeping up our skills and training, and we've got some enduring partnerships we're going to work on in that part of the world," said Kuzmick.
Another goal of this deployment is to foster diplomatic relations with U.S. allies and foreign nations in the region. Sailors from JCSCSG each play a role in this as they represent America positively through proper overseas conduct.
"I consider liberty a mission for the crew," said Kuzmick. "When we pull into foreign countries, not only are we seeing their country but they are seeing us. They can see we are real people, and they can see we are kind people. It makes a positive impression that sometimes does not come through the other visibility and media sources they have."
The deployment is scheduled to be approximately six months; however, JCSCSG will be prepared respond to the needs of any operational situation.
"We are not going to stick to that if conditions dictate otherwise," said Kuzmick. "When you send an aircraft carrier across the Pacific Ocean, it's a fairly large commitment. You're going to spend some time over there since you made the effort to go over there."
During the past few months, Stennis conducted several training exercises off the southern coast of California and is fully prepared to deploy in support of the FRP. This deployment is part of America's maritime strategy under the FRP to maintain a force of combat power overseas, capable of protecting America's vital interests, and assuring regional stability.
John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group
Ships and Squadrons
USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
USS Antietam (CG 54)
USS Lake Champlain (CG 57)
Destroyer Squadron Twenty One
USS Kidd (DDG 100)
USS Preble (DDG 88)
USS Milius (DDG 69)
Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW) 9
VFA-146 - "Blue Diamonds"
VFA-147 - "Argonauts"
VMFA-323 - "Death Rattlers"
VFA-154 - "Black Knights"
VAW-112 - "Golden Hawks"
VAQ-138 - "Yellow Jackets"
HSC-8 - "Eightballers"
HSM-71 - "Raptors"
VRC-30 - "Providers"