USS Nimitz Coordinates Counter Narcotics Seizure

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Winn, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The crew of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) coordinated efforts with USS Princeton (CG 59), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 75 and the Mexican navy to retrieve 186 bales of marijuana, June 16, which were apparently destined for the United States.

"The coordinated response of all hands involved was phenomenal," remarked Nimitz Strike Group Commander Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao. "The combined efforts of each of our strike group components demonstrated the flexibility and capability that defines how we conduct business."

"This crew's response was amazing," said USS Nimitz Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth. "To operationally shift gears quickly and safely from carrier qualifications to a real-world response shows what true professionals work here."

At approximately 1:50 p.m., USS Nimitz starboard lookouts, spotted two surface vessels, or contacts, approximately four nautical miles away and reported the contacts up the chain of command. The USS Nimitz crew then coordinated with HSC-6 to send MH-60S Seahawk helicopter 613 to perform a visual identification (VID) on the vessels.

"The [helicopter] was already in the air acting as plane guard for flight ops," said USS Nimitz' tactical action officer at the time. "When the Seahawk got overhead, they reported two white single engine boats about 25 feet in length, which immediately began dumping black hefty bags over the side. The small boats raced up to about 25 knots and fled to the east."

As the two small vessels fled at 2:22 p.m., USS Princeton, part of Carrier Strike Group 11, sent their rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) to investigate and retrieve the bags as evidence.

Eighty bales of marijuana, each weighing approximately 100 pounds, were recovered at that time.

At 5:05 p.m. USS Nimitz' officer of the deck spotted a small craft at approximately three nautical miles, which also appeared to be dumping in the sea. The USS Princeton positioned HSM-75's Lone Wolf 722, which is assigned to the USS Princeton, flying as a spotter for the rigid hull inflatable boats, or RHIBs, for further investigation. This caused those craft to flee as well.

"I thought it was pretty cool," said an HSC-6 pilot in the air at the time of the second spotting. "Most of the time we're a just-in-case asset. It was cool to be part of a situation where none of our guys got hurt and we were able to be a part of something bigger."
USS Princeton and a Mexican naval ship that came on scene retrieved more than 186 bales. The bales were then transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Edisto for transport to shore.

The USS Nimitz Strike Group is operating in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California conducting carrier qualification operations.

USS Princeton Returns to San Diego

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) will return to San Diego Dec. 22 after an independent six-month deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).

"I couldn't be any more pleased with the performance of the crew during the deployment, from bi-lateral exercises with key allies to counter-piracy missions off the coast of Somalia; they have done a tremendous job in getting the mission done," said Princeton's Commanding Officer Capt. Richard Haidvogel. "We're all very happy to be getting home in time for the holidays."

Princeton patrolled areas where the threat of piracy is a growing problem for merchant vessels. The cruiser's visit, board, search and seizure team conducted assist visits aboard several vessels in order to better enforce maritime security, deter piracy and police smuggling in areas where piracy is reported.

In September 2010, Princeton assisted USS Dubuque (LPD 8) with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Turkish warship TCG Gikeada (FFG 494) in capturing nine suspected pirates, who had taken control of the merchant vessel Magellan Star. Princeton took custody of the pirates and later transferred them to Kenya authorities.

Princeton also participated in combat casualty medical training with members of U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement, Detachment 404 as part of maintaining their medical readiness and proficiency while deployed.

With a crew of approximately 350 Sailors, including a crew from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 45, Detachment 2, Princeton made port calls to Singapore, Bahrain, Seychelles, Kenya, Thailand, Philippines and Guam. Sailors participated in community relations projects including painting school buildings, volunteering at hospitals and playing sports with children. They conducted more than 300 hours of volunteer service benefiting nearly 1500 host nation citizens.

Princeton helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile AOR in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

Parade of Ships Kicks Off Seattle Seafair Fleet Week

Blog Editor Note: For my friends in the Pacific Northwest, here comes the Navy again. I participated once in Seafair during my career and had a real good time. To you folks in Seattle check 380-390 MHz and look for trunk control channels. You might hear something interesting.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/NAC) Eric J. Rowley, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Northwest



The Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) lead the parade of ships.

SEATTLE (NNS) -- Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Whidbey Island class amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) kicked off the 59th annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week July 30 with the parade of ships.

"The parade of ships is very touching, moving and inspiring for Americans who have a chance to see the parade," said Jerilyn Brusseau, Seattle Rotary, who viewed the parade of ships from Pier 66. "It was nice to tap into things you don't get to see every day. I appreciate, so much, the service of young men and women who have a purpose greater than ourselves. I wouldn't miss this."

Princeton and Germantown, followed by Coast Guard and Canadian ships, cruised around Elliott Bay and passed Pier 66 on the Seattle waterfront.

"Seafair is a long-standing festival that goes back to 1941 here in Seattle, and throughout its history they have made a point of including the Navy and ships in the Festival," said Rear Adm. James Symonds, commander Navy Region Northwest. "The parade of ships marked the official arrival of the fleet."

The parade left Pier 90, where the ships are moored for Seafair, with hundreds of passengers who requested to ride the ships in the parade.

"The parade of ships is important because it's an increase in public awareness," said Cmdr. Chris Phillips, commander, Navy Recruiting District Seattle. "By increasing public awareness, people are asking questions to me and other dignitaries around here as to what the Navy is about and why they are here. I think it's a good thing just to be able to talk to the public."

The parade of ships made a trip around the Puget Sound before passing through Elliott Bay and Pier 66 with Princeton leading the parade and firing off an aft cannon, saluting the citizens of Seattle.

"The parade of ships was great, I enjoyed every minute of it," said Melvin Bratley, Germantown passenger. "I haven't been on a ship like this before and it gave me a chance to see our service men and women in action and it gives me a perspective of what they have to do in giving service to our country. It's great to be able to meet some of these Sailors."

San Diego-Based Ships Return Home From Deployment

The four San Diego-based ships of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to San Diego Sept. 30 following a six-month Western Pacific and Middle East deployment.

The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and the guided-missile destroyers USS Pinckney (DDG 91), USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) and USS Higgins (DDG 76) departed San Diego April 2 and deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F) and U.S 7th Fleet areas of operations.

Higgins and Princeton arrived in C5F May 8 to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO) with coalition partners. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Higgins played a critical role conducting MSO in the Persian Gulf. Higgins’ visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams conducted Interaction Patrols (IPATS) in which they distributed information on coalition aims and objectives to three Iraqi dhows.

The teams also conducted security sweeps on board three Iraqi tugs and four super-tankers, thereby safeguarding the merchants in the region by deterring piracy and smuggling. Most notably, Higgins was the only ship in the Nimitz CSG to conduct a boarding of a tanker suspected of oil smuggling. After a thorough six-hour boarding, the VBSS team was able to clear the tanker, ensuring the safety and freedom of the high seas to merchants and traders in the area.

“We complemented the security efforts of our friends and allies in the region as they join us in maritime operations. With time, they will have the capability and capacity to protect the free flow of commerce and fishing activity in the region,” said Cmdr. Winton Smith, Higgins’ commanding officer.

Princeton served as the Air Defense Commander for Nimitz throughout the carrier’s time in the Persian Gulf. As the carrier’s “shotgun,” Princeton provided close-in air defense, airspace awareness, and, if needed, acted as a ready platform for search and rescue.

While operating in some of the busiest waters in the world, Pinckney participated in Cooperation Afloat Readiness Training (CARAT) exercise with the Republic of Singapore Navy and three other U.S Navy ships. The bilateral force conducted air defense, anti-surface warfare, anti-subsurface warfare, and VBSS operations in the compressed waterspace of the South China Sea, validating current tactics, techniques and procedures and identifying areas for further development.

All four ships rejoined the Nimitz CSG Aug. 7-14 to participate in Exercise Valiant Shield 2007. Valiant Shield was a multi-dimensional joint exercise off the coast of Guam with U.S forces including the John C. Stennis and Kitty Hawk CSGs, more than 25 Navy ships, as well as numerous sub-surface, and U.S Navy and U.S Air Force aircraft.

In addition, John Paul Jones, Higgins, Princeton and Pinckney, along with the rest of the Nimitz CSG, joined the Kitty Hawk CSG and India’s aircraft carrier INS Viraat (R 22) to participate in the multilateral Exercise Malabar 07-2. This annual exercise included ships from India, Australia, Japan and Singapore in the Bay of Bengal to advance mutual maritime understanding and interoperability.

John Paul Jones, Higgins, Princeton and Pinckney accomplished every assigned mission, contributing directly to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and working with regional navies to establish a more secure environment conducive to maritime trade.

“I am very proud of the crew,” said Smith. “They overcame every challenge, performing to the best of their ability with pride, professionalism, and enthusiasm. They are America’s best -- incredibly talented and devoted to serving their country and making the world a more stable and secure environment. We have mission accomplished and returned home safely. The crew’s stellar performance has most certainly earned a relaxing leave period with friends and family.”

John Paul Jones, Higgins, Princeton and Pinckney are part of the Nimitz CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. John Terence Blake.

Nimitz CSG is comprised of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with embarked commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, embarked Carrier Air Wing 11 and embarked Destroyer Squadron 23. Additionally, the Nimitz CSG includes the Pearl Harbor-based guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90); Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49 “Scorpions,” and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 11, Det 3.