CVW-9 Conducts Air Power Demo

Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 fly in formation during an air power demonstration over USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Jiang / Released)

John C. Stennis to Depart for 8-month Deployment

ABOARD USS JOHN C STENNIS (NNS) -- The flagship of the John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG), Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), will depart Monday, Aug. 27, to begin an eight-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean and the Persian Gulf.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta spoke here Wednesday with the crew of the ship to thank them for the extraordinary effort to prepare for this upcoming deployment.

"I understand that it is tough," said Panetta. "We are asking an awful lot of each of you, but frankly you are the best I have and when the world calls we have to respond. You are the heart and soul of our national defense. You are the heart and soul of what makes America strong. That's why I'm here. To thank you for what you do to help keep America the strongest military power in the world."

JCSSG is returning to the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet areas of operation four months ahead of schedule in order to maintain combatant commander requirements for the presence in the region. Stennis returned in March from its most recent deployment.

JCSSG is comprised of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and USS Mobile Bay (CG53). CVW-9 consists of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, and Fleet Logistics Combat Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, Calif.; Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, VFA-41, VFA-97, and VFA-192, from NAS Lemoore, Calif.; and Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 from NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.

Stennis Strike Group Commences SUSTAINEX

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) departs San Diego after a scheduled port visit to embark Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9. John C. Stennis and CVW-9 are participating in a strike group sustainment exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josue L. Escobosa/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elliott Fabrizio, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group departed San Diego to begin a sustainment exercise (SUSTAINEX) Nov. 6.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) will participate in the SUSTAINEX with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), guided-missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Milius (DDG 69).

Strike group assets will integrate and train together in their main mission areas of maritime security operations, air defense and anti-submarine warfare for the first time since completing their western pacific deployment in July.

SUSTAINEX maintains the strike group's operational proficiencies, so the strike group can meet the Navy's need for available carrier presence.

"We keep certain carriers around that will respond to a crisis first," said Capt. Joseph Kuzmick, Stennis' commanding officer. "That's where John C. Stennis sits right now. Every few months during that time we have to refresh our readiness to respond around the world."
Sailors will work on qualifications and practice operations - many of which can't be performed in port or when the strike group assets are separated.

"You can't just bring an air wing out to a carrier and expect them to work perfectly together," said Kuzmick. "We're going to exercise our tactics, techniques and procedures to make sure that we all coordinate correctly. The strike group staff will exercise operational control over their assets, and the individual units will learn how to work tactically again with each other. We're basically honing the edge on the blade."

SUSTAINEX is scheduled for two weeks. Maintaining a combat ready strike group is part of America's maritime strategy to be prepared for a immediate response to safeguard America's interests.

Carrier Air Wing 9 Completes 2009 Deployment

An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 fly off. John C. Stennis is returning from a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Owsley, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 completed their 2009 deployment when the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) pulled into Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., July 6.

CVW 9 began its deployment Jan. 17, when it embarked Stennis for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean as the air assets of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group.

According to CVW 9 Deputy Commander Capt. Paul Haas, the deployment was more like the traditional Western Pacific Ocean deployments from his days as a junior officer.

"We've spent a lot of generations in the Arabian Gulf doing Fifth Fleet operations," said Haas. "This is a vital and very important thing that we do in the Western Pacific."

During the deployment, CVW 9 participated in an undersea warfare exercise with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, annual exercise Foal Eagle with the Republic of Korea and joint exercise Northern Edge 2009.
CVW 9 Sailors also participated in 38 community service projects during seven port visits.

The deployment marked several milestones within the air wing. The Raptors of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 completed their maiden deployment, while the "Yellow Jackets" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138 made their last scheduled deployment with the EA-6B Prowler. The "Argonauts" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 completed their first deployment with the F/A-18E Super Hornet after transitioning from F/A-18C Hornet.

CVW 9 flew more than 7250 sorties, consisting of approximately 12,747 flight hours with a sortie completion rate of 97 percent during deployment.

While deployed, the squadrons of CVW 9 increased maritime security in the Western Pacific Ocean through their active presence and working with partner nations during exercises and port visits.

VAQ-138 Completes 2009 Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Owsley, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- The "Yellow Jackets" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138 completed their 2009 Western Pacific deployment when USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) pulled into Naval Station Everett, Wash., June 29.

VAQ-138 deployed Jan. 17, as part of Carrier Air Wing 9 embarked aboard Stennis.

This was the "Yellow Jackets'" last scheduled deployment with the EA-6B Prowler.

VAQ-138 will continue to fly the Prowler to sustain their pilots' qualifications, conduct training missions and take part in a joint training exercise before beginning the transition to the E/A-18G Growler in March. The transition is expected to take approximately six months and be completed in the fall of 2010.

Stennis Departs on Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Elliott J. Fabrizio, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

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"

Stennis Returns from Underway Period Deployment-Ready

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elliott Fabrizio, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

Sailors and Marines work together to push an F/A-18C Hornet from the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323 into position on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is operating off the coast of Southern California after completing a joint task force exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle Steckler/ Released)

USS JOHN C. STENNIS (NNS) -- USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) returned to homeport in Bremerton, Wash. Nov. 21, deployment-ready after completing its final pre-deployment exercises.

During the underway period, Stennis united with the other components of its strike group, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, to complete Composite Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX).

Both exercises focused on improving the strike group's ability to perform strike warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-air warfare, said Stennis Operations Officer Cmdr. Don Glatt.

"The first goal was to get through all these exercises safely," said Commander, Carrier Strike Group (GSG) 3 Rear. Adm. Mark Vance. "The second goal was to have combat-ready aircraft and ships and combat-ready crews. We've achieved all of those."

The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) completed the two-week COMPTUEX first to prepare the strike group's assets to work as a single unit.

"The air wing and the ship continued to fuse as a team, and we worked extremely well with the destroyer squadron," said Stennis Commanding Officer Capt. Joseph Kuzmick. "We all learned a great deal, and most of all, we learned to operate as a team."

Strike Force Training Pacific evaluators ran the strike group through a series unit-specific training exercises and tested the strike group's integrated operational capabilities with two unscripted scenarios called battle problems.

The strike group completed the objectives listed on the Navy Mission Essential Task List (NMETL) for carrier strike groups in COMPTUEX to demonstrate their operational readiness.

"This list consists of close to 1,000 individual tasks, and each task has a measure of performance and effectiveness associated with it," said Commander Strike Force Pacific Operations Officer Capt. George Fadok. "Throughout COMPTUEX the group's performance increased each and every day."

"As much as anything it is the confidence you get from doing this thing and seeing that you really can make it all come together," said Kuzmick. "We learned to push our equipment to the limits, and we learned how to deal with almost anything."

The strike group joined several Air Force squadrons and ships from Canada and Chile after COMPTUEX to simulate operating in a joint-force environment in JTFEX.

Commander, 3rd Fleet evaluated JCSCSG, on its ability to operate and communicate with multiple forces during the week-long, free-play scenario.

The exercises allowed JCSCSG adapt to the subtle differences between coalition forces and other military branches, so they can operate together in an actual conflict, said Glatt.

The unscripted simulations also allowed the strike group to practice reacting to realistic threats from each warfare area.

Each warfare commander got a chance to work through their tactics, techniques and procedures and got better each time, said Vance.

Stennis proved it is ready to deploy with its strike group by successfully completing the objectives in COMPTUEX and JTFEX.

"All the work we did out here over the summer, that was tailored ship's training. Each ship is basically out underway learning how to operate their own machine," said Kuzmick. "This underway was more about making us into a system of systems where we've got units working together to form a larger system, that being the deploying strike group."

JCSCSG is now certified as ready for major combat operations and prepared to deploy.

"Before, we had a whole lot of new people that haven't done this before, or we had people who haven't done it with this particular equipment," said Kuzmick. "We've all figured out how it's done now. We understand how we work, and we're ready to deploy."

Pre-deployment exercises give the Navy's strike groups operational experience so they are better prepared to safely and effectively further the goals of America's maritime strategy during their deployments.

Families, Friends Welcome Home Antietam, CVW 9

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Bill Larned, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) returned to San Diego Aug. 27, marking the end of deployment for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54).

As Antietam arrived at Naval Base San Diego, Pier 3 was bustling with scores of people waving signs and banners. Sailors walked down the brow, absorbing the greetings shouted by families and friends. The ones that watched their Sailors from the shore lived their own stories while Antietam crew members helped defend their way of life.

"Being pregnant made it difficult to deal with the deployment," said the wife of Antietam's Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seaman Apprentice (SW) Scott Deaton. "I'm just glad he's back with me."

"Deployments are something we have gotten used to as a military family," said retired Marine Staff Sgt. Larry Bratcher. "All we can do is stay positive and celebrate our Sailor's return home."

At Naval Air Station North Island, several SH-60F Seahawk helicopters belonging to the Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 8 “Eightballers” performed a flyover to the delight of families, friends and supporters. Outside the “Eightballers” hangar, loved ones waited anxiously for the aircrews to emerge.

The mother of one HS-8 member drove down from Los Angeles to see her son, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Kyle Williams. Right before he stepped out of his helicopter, she remarked that seeing him deploy for the first time made her chalk up yet another experience as a mother.

“It was definitely a new experience for him, because it was his first deployment. But it was also a new experience for me, not quite knowing what to expect,” she said. “I would say the hardest part of his deployment for me was whether or not I could communicate with him. Sometimes we could communicate through e-mail, and sometimes we could not. The days I couldn’t talk to him were tough,” she admitted.

JCSSG includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron 21, the guided-missile cruiser Antietam, the guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) and the fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10).

The squadrons of CVW-9 include: the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146, “Argonauts” of VFA-147, Death Rattlers of VMFA-323, “Yellow Jackets” of Electronic Attack Squadron 138, “Golden Hawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112, “Top Cats” of Sea Control Squadron 31, HS-8 and “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30, as well as, squadron detachments including the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 43, the “Wolfpack” of HSL-45 and the “Wild Cards” from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. More than 6,500 Sailors and Marines are assigned to JCSSG.