o J. Reyes (RELEASED)  

070718-N-9760Z-002 PERSIAN GULF (July 18, 2007) - An MH-60S Seahawk, assigned to the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Support Command Squadron (HSC) 21, performs a vertical replenishment with nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7). Nimitz Strike Group and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed to the 5th Fleet area of operations conducting maritime operations and supporting the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Zaragoza (RELEASED)

 

 

 

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070718-N-6524M-004 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 18, 2007) - An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the "Checkmates" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, successfully completes an arrested landing on the flight deck of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise and embarked Carrier Airwing (CVW) 1 are underway on a scheduled deployment. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brandon Morris (RELEASED)

 

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070718-N-5928K-004 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 18, 2007) – Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Leber signals to launch a C-2A Greyhound, attached to the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40, from the flight deck of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise and embarked Carrier Airwing (CVW 1) 1 are underway on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class N.C. Kaylor (RELEASED)

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AESA Radar Enters Full Production

By GAYLE S. PUTRICH, VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.

Raytheon has the go-ahead from the U.S. Navy to move into full production with the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar program, which the service says helps elevate the Super Hornet beyond original expectations.

After building 84 radars under low-rate initial production, Ray-theon says it can build as many as 72 units per year.

The four-channel AESA receiver increases situational awareness, tracking multiple airborne targets at long range. AESA also provides high-resolution ground mapping for air-to-ground tracking, even from standoff range. The radar is also three to five times more reliable than other systems in service, according to Raytheon executives.

Another AESA radar under development by Northrop Grumman will equip the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

AESA-equipped F/A-18 Block II Super Hornets are being delivered to the VFA-213 Black Lions squadron and the VFA-106 Gladiators, based at Naval Air Station Oceana here, and to squadrons at the Naval Air Station Lemoore in California.

Eventually, Raytheon will outfit previous Super Hornet lots with the AESA radar.

But according to the Navy, the retrofit will only go back to Lot 25, as previously built planes “don’t have the plumbing” necessary to accommodate the radar array. The Pentagon has fully funded retrofit radar production, which is scheduled to begin in 2008 with the first installation in 2010. Installs take about three days and can be done on the flightline, according to maintenance personnel.

The Black Lions, which will be the first squadron to be fully outfitted with AESA radar, began last October a seven-month effort to learn to fly the new Super Hornets. Since then, the squadron has been assigned 12 new aircraft, which are being put through their paces at Oceana and are slated to deploy sometime next year.

Squadron technicians said the radar is living up to Raytheon’s reliability and maintainability promises. It require less work, and a built-in system identifies problems for technicians, ensuring squadrons don’t have to haul as many spare parts or waste time with trial-and-error fixes.

“The maintenance has been phenomenal,” said Capt. Dan Dixon, commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing 8, especially when compared with the F-14 Tomcats which, while beloved among fighter pilots, were more difficult to maintain.

His squadron has gone as long as two months without having to install new parts on the AESA radar units.

“That’s unheard-of in naval aviation,” Dixon said. “It’s not just a revolution in capability, but also in maintenance.”

The performance and capabilities of the Super Hornets are also exceeding expectations, especially with the combination of AESA radar and the Link 16 integrated communications system and other new electronic additions, said Capt. Don Gaddis, the Navy’s Super Hornet program manager.

“It’s a completely different airplane from what we op-evaled in 1999,” Gaddis said. “This is not just a variant of the Hornet.”

Entering service in 1999, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was originally intended as a stop-gap airplane between the A-6 Intruder and the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter after the A-12 program fell apart in 1991. In the short time it has been in service, the twin-engine, Boeing-built combat jet has become beloved by naval aviators, even those who had to be pried out of their Tomcats.

“This radar revolutionizes how we can do business,” said Cmdr. Paul Gronemeyer, the VFA-213 commanding officer. “We are a much more important node of net-centricity.”

AESA can generate a map with target coordinates updated in real-time and transmit the information via Link 16, not only enabling unmatched air-to-ground strike coordination, but also cutting down on voice communication, Gronemeyer said.

“We’re not done figuring out how to utilize Link 16,” he said. “We’ve taken this technology suite to the next level. But there’s still a lot of things we want to do.”

New software will allow the planes to transmit and receive images, though those upgrades are still about a year away. Operational evaluation on the fifth and sixth generation of software begins in September; the Navy is gathering data on the fourth generation this summer at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station in California.

“Moving into full-rate production is a significant milestone for our APG-79 AESA radar program,” said Erv Grau, vice president of Raytheon’s tactical airborne systems division. “The tremendous capability of our system is a key enabler in the Super Hornet Block II’s wide range of capabilities.” •

E-mail: gputrich@defensenews.com.

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Air Force, Navy seeing growing duty in Iraq

BY: Stewart M. Powel, Hearst Newspapers
07/23/2007 

The Pentagon, scrambling to maintain 160,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, has ordered growing numbers of Air Force and Navy personnel into combat-related assignments with front-line Army and Marine Corps units. 

The decision to send thousands of airmen and sailors into nontraditional assignments such as convoy duty reflects growing personnel shortages as the armed forces try to sustain the highest troop levels of the war. 

The Air Force has steadily increased the number of personnel in Iraq in place of soldiers or Marines -- from 1,905 in 2004 to about 5,000 this year and 6,000 next year. 

The Navy is sending roughly 2,200 of what the service calls "individual augmentees" this year to handle combat-related duties with Army and Marine units.

"The good news and bad news about this is that we are out doing things that our people weren't originally trained for," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley in a speech. 

Adm. Michael Mullen, the chief of naval operations designated as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in remarks to trainees that the Navy is "anxious to pitch in as much as we possibly can for the duration of this war," adding: "I don't see the need for Navy talent going down any time soon." 

Air Force and Navy personnel bound for combat-related duties with ground combat units in Iraq receive at least two weeks of combat training at one of 15 Army training centers around the United States. 

"Technically, these combat-related assignments do not violate service members' contracts," said Lawrence Korb, a former Reagan administration official who handled manpower as assistant secretary of defense. 

"But many airmen and sailors are not volunteering for these jobs -- they're being told to do them, and that could cut down re-enlistments and complicate recruitment for both services down the road," he said. 

Air Force and Navy personnel serve up to 12 months in Iraq -- shorter than the 15-month combat tours demanded of Army units since April.

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U.S. defense bill grinds to halt

BY: Rick Maze and William Matthews, Defense News
07/23/2007

One amendment to the $648 billion 2008 Defense Authorization Act would add $87 million to the defense budget for spending on Aegis missile destroyers for the national missile defense program. 

Another would strip $500 million from two missile defense programs to buy equipment for the war-depleted National Guard. 

Yet another would require the U.S. Air Force to keep 63 B-52 bombers on active duty and 11 in reserve. 

But work stopped on these and dozens of other amendments July 19 when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pulled the act off the Senate floor. 

After days of bitter debate, it was clear that Reid and the Senate’s Democrats could not muster the 60 votes needed to pass provisions that would set deadlines or other conditions for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. 

“Because Republicans continue to block votes on important amendments to the defense authorization bill, we can make no further progress on Iraq and this bill at this time,” Reid said as he pulled the bill from the floor and the Senate turned to other legislation. 

Reid described pulling the bill as a “temporary” step, but neither he nor his staff gave any indication when the Senate might return to work on the bill, which sets defense policy for the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1. Included are provisions to increase military pay and benefits, block a Pentagon attempt to raise fees for retirees using the military’s Tricare health insurance program and approve hundreds of new or modified weapon procurement and research projects. 

Senate aides said it is very likely the Senate will not return to work on the bill before September, which is when the U.S. Central Command will issue a report on the effectiveness of the current surge strategy of using more U.S. combat troops to try to make Iraq secure enough that the United States can withdraw its forces. If the report shows the surge has not yet succeeded, Democrats hope they could get more Republicans to vote for a redeployment plan.

 “I hope that as we continue through the summer and into the fall that we develop a bipartisan solution that creates a diplomatic, economic and military road map to end American combat operations in Iraq,” said Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., in a statement that appears to confirm the bill may not be considered again until September. 

The House passed its version of the bill in May and has been waiting on the Senate so that negotiations can begin on a final compromise measure. 

Hundreds of other amendments are pending on the bill, but Reid said he could see no reason to continue because of behind-the-scenes objections to routine agreements. 

“More than 300 amendments have been filed and we have not been able to get a finite list of amendments for consideration,” Reid said.

Among the amendments left in limbo is a measure by Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., to restore $10 million for a ballistic missile defense space test bed. President George W. Bush requested the money in February, but the Senate Armed Services Committee cut it this spring. 

Kyl also proposed an amendment that would declare it U.S. policy to protect its military and civilian satellites and to research all potential means to do so. The amendment comes in response to a successful test by China of a satellite-destroying missile.

Two defense contracting reform amendments are also left hanging. One by Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. would increase transparency and accountability in military contracting. 

Another, by Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., would prohibit agency chiefs from contracting out functions that are inherently governmental. 

Reid said the Democratic and Republican staffs on the Senate Armed Services Committee “have been unable to work in a bipartisan manner to clear large numbers of routine amendments due to the objections of one or two members on the other side of the aisle.” 

As for Iraq, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said he thinks about 70 senators would agree the surge strategy isn’t working but there is no alternative that 70 of them would agree to support.

 In pulling the bill after 10 days of debate, Reid said he was proud that Democrats and a few Republicans voted to change Iraq policy, but regretted the Republican minority “blocked the will of the people and the majority of the Congress.” 

Republicans countered that Reid didn’t have to pull the bill and could bring it back up for debate at any time if Democrats did not insist on including Iraq withdrawal language.

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CNO Outlines Navy Operations at Sea and Ashore
Story Number: NNS070721-01
Release Date: 7/21/2007 10:10:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tim Wightman, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen stressed the critical role San Diego and the Pacific Fleet play in sustaining fleet readiness and the Navy’s expanded role in the Middle East during a breakfast meeting in San Diego on July 19.

“We need to make sure that we sustain the readiness that we have so that we can push somebody like a USS Ronald Reagan and that combat strike group pretty quickly,” Mullen said.

“We will always need that high-end capability, not just because of concerns in the Middle East; we have a vital basin in the Pacific, and stability in the Western Pacific is obviously really key.”

Mullen pointed to the additions of more submarines and the arrival of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to San Diego, along with the replacement of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) with USS George Washington (CVN 73) in Japan next summer as evidence of the growing role of the Pacific.

“The Pacific region, for the long term, is not just a growing, but a vital, vital region,” he said.

A different kind of expansion is occurring in the way the Navy is helping the ground forces fight the war in Iraq.

Concerned about the amount of stress placed on the other forces with their combat rotations, Mullen said he was anxious, upon taking over as CNO, to try to relieve as much pressure on the ground as he possibly could.

He pointed to the Army’s current one and one deployment rotations, saying that often times, the Soldiers are out for a year but come back for less than a year. He also cited the Marine Corps rotations of seven months out, seven months back.

“We needed to relieve that pressure as much as possible,” Mullen said. “I’ve believed for a long time; we just can’t, as a Navy, stay a thousand miles at sea and watch all this happen. We have too much talent.”

Mullen said there are currently around 61,000 Sailors deployed right now around the world, about half of them serving in the United States Central Command, (CENTCOM, which accounts for 27 countries that stretch from the Horn of Africa to Afghanistan) and half of that number are serving ashore.

“Of those 13,000 Sailors that are on the ground in CENTCOM right now, about 5,000 of those are in Iraq; and they run the full gamut from the Seabees up in Anbar who are out west and have been side by side with the Marines, and our doctors, nurses and corpsmen who have just performed miracle after miracle,” Mullen said.

Along with the importance Mullen places on the Navy’s expanded warfighting role is the importance he places on care of the wounded. He quoted Secretary of Defense Robert Gates when talking about two critical tasks of the Navy in fighting the war.

“Secretary Gates has been very clear; he said the most important thing we can do right now is to get the right people to the fight. The second most important thing we can do is make sure we take care of those who are injured in that fight,” Mullen said.

Mullen pointed to the efforts of Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) in taking care of wounded warriors, and he recognized and thanked the commander of the medical center, Rear Adm. Christine Hunter for the job that she and her staff has done.

“I spent some time yesterday at Balboa. The evolution of care, which is occurring literally right in front of our eyes, is stunning,” he said. “They are taking care of about 90 wounded warriors there -- several of them amputees ... and the community outpouring of support to them, whether it’s recreation or how we help them find jobs, or how we connect them with the DA -- is really breathtaking. I couldn’t be prouder of what you and your people are doing.”

In his remarks, Mullen also discussed the value he places on strong leadership and diversity in the Navy; the critical importance of the Navy’s missile-defense capability for the future, pointing to the San Diego-based USS Decatur’s (DDG 73) recent successful work in that area; and also the successes and challenges of the individual augmentee (IA) program.

Among those challenges, he said, are those faced by spouses of IAs who find themselves without a support network to share their experience.

“It has been a struggle for us as a Navy to take care of these spouses,” Mullen said. “We have to do a better job connecting them (with each other) in their common experience. Once they are connected, it just sort of takes care of itself.

“Just setting programs up is not enough; we have to actively make sure they’re okay.”

Mullen mentioned a discussion he had with Commander, Navy Region Southwest Rear Adm. Len Hering, just prior to his address, about the issues San Diego military personnel face with the high cost of living in the area.

“I’ve been around California housing prices my whole life. We have to be able to somehow foster an environment in which our young people can come here and afford to live and be able to carry out the kinds of missions that we are asking them to do,” Mullen said.

“Innovative ideas on how we can do that in the future are more than welcome.”

In closing, Mullen thanked the local businesses, community volunteers and people who “care about San Diego, and about the Navy and our people.”

“I know there are many here that care greatly about what we do as a Navy and what the San Diego city and area means to us,” he said. “And I know you’ve worked for years to make sure this relationship thrives.

“We need that kind of support. We need it here and we need it wherever we are.”

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From USAFHQ news -

July 24 airpower summary: Predators stop insurgents

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle sits in a hangar at Balad Air Base, Iraq, waiting for its next mission. Predators had a big impact in Iraq July 24, stopping an insurgent mortar team with a Hellfire missile. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Steffen)

7/25/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer performed shows of force over Qal-E-Naw to reestablish an air presence after an engagement between coalition forces and insurgents.

Another B-1 dropped guided bomb unit-38s on an enemy mortar team in Now Zad. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the weapons impacted their targets. The aircrews provided shows of presence over coalition routes also.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force with flares in support of friendly forces taking small arms fire in Gardez. The insurgents dropped back to a cave after the show of force.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided overwatch for ground forces moving around Now Zad. The pilots also monitored a possible rocket-propelled grenade and mortar position.

Other A-10s strafed a compound and enemies hiding in a tree line in Gereshk with cannon rounds. There were no more enemy attacks reported after the A-10s fired on the tree line.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier also provided a show of force to force a withdrawal of enemy forces from an area in Bermel. The JTAC reported the show of force as successful.

In total, 41 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicale observed insurgents fire two mortar rounds then load the tube into the trunk of their vehicle before striking the target. The Predator then launched a Hellfire missile at the mortar team in the vehicle. The missile impacted the front of the car and it was destroyed.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided shows of force to disperse a crowd that had formed after the Predator destroyed the vehicle. People began to leave the area after the shows of force.

Another F-16 fired cannon rounds at insurgents gathering around Baghdad. The strike forced the insurgents to separate and move into the open where they were engaged by ground forces.

F-16s provided shows of force for a Humvee struck by an improvised explosive device and for coalition forces in Baghdad. The pilots also looked for other IED spots and snipers in the area.

Also in Baghdad, an A-10 provided a show of force with multiple flares for a bridge building process to ensure that construction was not disturbed. The show of force was reported as successful by the JTAC. Other A-10s watched over an Iraqi police station after it had taken small arms fire.

RAF GR-4 Tornados watched over a convoy that had been hit by an IED.

F-16s watched over an engagement between friendly forces and insurgents in Samarra. The attack resulted in some of the insurgents surrendering to coalition forces.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 52 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Eighteen Air Force, Navy, RAF and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Some 143 airlift sorties were flown, 536 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,066 passengers were transported. Airlift missions included approximately 69,600 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq and Japan flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On July 23, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.

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Rafales Trap Aboard Big E
Story Number: NNS070725-01
Release Date: 7/25/2007 8:53:00 AM

070723-N-6524M-004 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (July 23, 2007) - A French Rafale M combat aircraft performs a catapult-assisted launch from the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The Rafale is the first French aircraft to both launch and recover on an American carrier. Enterprise and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 are currently underway on a scheduled six-month deployment. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brandon Morris (RELEASED)

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jamica C. Johnson, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) (Big E) was a part of history July 23, when two French multi-role combat fighter Rafale M aircraft trapped and launched aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier for the first time.

More than 30 U.S. and French diplomats came aboard to witness the event, including Commander U.S. 6th Fleet Vice Adm. John Stufflebeem, U.S. Ambassador to France Craig Stapleton, Chief of French Naval Staff Admiral Oudot de Dainville, and the CEO of Dassualt Aviation (builder of Rafale) Serge Dassualt.

According to Stapleton, this was a momentous occasion in cooperation between the U.S. and French navies.

“Being that this is the first time a U.S. aircraft carrier has been in France in six years it’s important, and also I believe it’s the first time French fighter pilots have been able to land onboard the deck of an American aircraft carrier, this is an important moment in U.S. History,” said Stapleton.

After the Rafales landed, the fighter pilots and guests joined Carrier Strike Group 12/Enterprise Strike Group Commander Rear Adm. Daniel Holloway and Enterprise Commanding Officer Capt. Ron Horton in the flag mess for refreshments.

The distinguished visitors were given a tour of the Enterprise, as well as taking time out to talk with some of Big E’s flight deck and hangar bay crew.

This engagement was a large step for Enterprise and a step in the right direction for the Chief of Naval Operation’s vision of a “1,000-ship navy.”

“This certainly projected the importance of naval power and hopefully will increase cooperation between the French navy and the American Navy,” said Stapleton.

Enterprise is currently on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment as the flag ship for Carrier Strike Group 12.

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Unfortunately not mentioned by our CHINFO/PAO folks … we owe a special debt of gratitude to our fellow ANAers in the SANDGROPER Squadron of Western Australia, who always go all-out to welcome our carriers to Perth and, for these visits, who travelled all the way from Perth, WA to BOTH Sydney AND Brisbane to do a very wonderful job welcoming KITTY HAWK to those eastern ports.  Good on ya’ Gary Sheehan and all the SANDGROPERS!!!!  - Dutch

Kitty Hawk Bids Australia Farewell as Brisbane Port Visit Concludes
Story Number: NNS070725-17Release Date: 7/25/2007 2:08:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam York, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 left Brisbane, Australia, after a four-day port visit July 23, marking the carrier’s last visit to Australia.

During the port visit Kitty Hawk and air wing Sailors participated in five community relations projects, ran in a 5K run through Brisbane’s scenic waterfront, visited various tourist attractions ranging from zoos to theme parks and hosted ship tours for 3,500 Australians.

Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW/AW) Nadine Fridy visited the Australia Zoo, made famous by the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin.

“[The zoo staff] took really good care of the animals,” said Fridy. “I took a picture holding a python. It was huge!”

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class (AW/SW) Mark Monreal also went to the zoo and said they were able to meet Steve Irwin’s wife and kids.

Kitty Hawk and air wing Sailors visited Mater Children’s Hospital and Blue Care Nursing Home.

“We sat down with senior citizens and traded stories,” said Monreal, who participated in a community relations project at the nursing home. “One lady’s husband was in the [Royal Australian Navy], and she talked about all the places they’d been to.”

Midshipman Chris Bourque, who arrived on Kitty Hawk the day it pulled into Brisbane, said it was a very clean city, and he enjoyed the Australians.

“They would always come up to us and ask if we were from Kitty Hawk,” said Bourque. “They would give us directions and gave us free access to locations.”

Bourque and his friends rode on the Brisbane River’s “City Cat” tour boat. They also got to pet koalas and kangaroos at an animal sanctuary.

After Kitty Hawk’s departure from Brisbane, the carrier will be joined by other elements of the carrier strike group to begin preparations for Valiant Shield 2007. The major joint exercise will involve Kitty Hawk, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as well as forces from other services.

The Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group is on its summer deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean. The strike group is the U.S. Navy’s largest and includes the carrier, seven ships of Destroyer Squadron 15, two Aegis weapons system equipped guided-missile cruisers and CVW 5.

Following from Gary Sheehan, Commanding Officer ANA SANDGROPERS:

Zip/Dutch

Attached pic is of Kitty Hawk pulling into Brisbane Australia 19th July.

Port Call went very well and ANA55 again performed to expectation, earning the thanks of the Kitty Hawk. Note from Kitty CO below;

 

Gary
 Thank you very much for all that you and your team did. We couldn't have pulled off the success we did w/o your efforts.

BTW, Lieutenant Bill Clinton is now Lieutenant Commander Bill Clinton. We heard he was promoted...today.

R/CAPT Z