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-USN-
NAVY NEWS SERVICE - 21 Sep 94 - NAVNEWS 056/94
NNS628. Japan's "Rescue Seagull 80" Flies U.S. Sailor to Hospital
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- A case of appendicitis can be critical to
anyone, but when it hits a Sailor underway, serious conditions are
intensified, especially when limited medical treatment is
available.
Recently, Fire Controlman Third Class David Henderson,
stationed on board USS California (CGN-36), was diagnosed with
appendicitis while underway. The USS California, together with
elements of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF),
performed a joint at-sea personnel transfer to transport Henderson
to a treatment facility, a first time transfer with seaplanes
conducted between the two forces.
In less than three hours after the initial call for
assistance, the JMSDF seaplane "Rescue Seagull 80" rendezvoused
with USS California, 130 miles offshore. The seaplane's 13-man
crew, commanded by LCDR Toshiichi Domyo, landed 200 yards off the
port beam and launched a small rubber boat to transfer Henderson
and Hospital Corpsman Third Class Scott Youngerman to the seaplane.
Within 30 minutes, the patient and escort were safely on board the
plane and headed for Naval Air Station Atsugi. They were
transported to Yokosuka Naval Hospital via helicopter.
"I feel that it was really good cooperation between the
Japanese Navy and the U.S. Navy," said Petty Officer Henderson, two
days after his surgery. "It was quick. The Japan Self-Defense
Force was very precise, clean and very polite, too."
By JO1 Elizabeth Bartlett, COMNAVFORJAPAN Public Affairs
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-USN-
NAVY WIRE SERVICE - A WIRE (NWSA) - 23 DECEMBER 1994
NWSA080. USS Kitty Hawk battle group home for Christmas
WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Sailors of USS Kitty Hawk's (CV 63)
aircraft carrier battle group returned to families and friends
this week after a six-month western Pacific deployment.
The battle group is led by RADM Dennis Blair, Commander,
Cruiser Destroyer Group 5. Joining the Kitty Hawk as it sailed
into San Diego harbor were the guided missile cruisers USS
Cowpens (CG 63) and USS Vincennes (CG 49); and attack submarines
USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716) and USS Jefferson City (SSN 759).
The group returning to San Diego was considerably smaller
than the flotilla that patrolled the waters off the coasts of
Japan and Korea. Other members of the nine-ship battle group
returned to their home ports of Bremerton, Wash.: USS California
(CGN 36) and USS Roanoke (AOR 7); or in the case of USS Flint (AE
32), to Concord, Calif. The crew of USS Crommelin (FFG 37) had
their homecoming Dec. 14 when the battle group visited their home
port of Pearl Harbor.
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-USN-4 June 1995 Radioactive Spill
CALIFORNIA (CGN-36) was in three-month SRA overhaul at Puget Sound
NSY during May. On 4 June, a 100-gallon spill of radioactive water
contaminated three sailors during a test of a valve in the cruiser's
reactor compartment. A Navy spokesman said radioactivity involved
was minimal; the water was washed off and "no further problems were
anticipated." The Navy is conducting an investigation into the
incident.
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-USN-
NAVY WIRE SERVICE - A WIRE (NWSA) - 24 August 1995 -
NWSA970. Navy ships participate in joint exercise
SAN DIEGO (NWSA) -- U.S. Navy ships and a Canadian warship
are scheduled to participate in a multi-service exercise called
KE KOA '95 (The Warrior), on Aug. 26 through Aug. 28, in and
around the Hawaiian Islands.
The exercise will be conducted by Commander, Anti-Submarine
Warfare Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet to improve joint-service and
multi-national interoperability by training Hawaii-based forces
with ships of a U.S./Canadian aircraft carrier battle group. The
exercise will allow units to improve individual and collective
war-fighting proficiency levels, including all facets of sea,
land and air warfare.
The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Battle Group is under the
command of Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group 3 and includes Carl
Vinson with its embarked air wing Carrier Air Wing 14, Destroyer
Squadron 5, USS California (CGN 36), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS
Camden (AOE 2), USS Pintado (SSN 672) and USS William H. Bates
(SSN 680). Canadian frigate HMCS Annapolis will also sail as
part of the battle group. U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Air Force,
Coast Guard and Hawaii Air National Guard are participating.
Following the exercise, the battle group will visit Hawaii
to participate in the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of V-J Day,
the end of the war in the Pacific and the end of World War II.
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-USN-
USS Carl Vinson begins Western Pacific deployment
Unclassified
ALAMEDA, Calif., May 14, 1996 -- Seven Navy ships, led by the
nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), departed their West
Coast homeports today for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and
Indian Oceans.
The Carl Vinson Battle Group is part of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet, which helps
maintain stability in a region of great strategic and economic importance to the United
States - the Pacific Rim.
This area covers one-third of the earth's surface and more than one-half of the earth's
total ocean area. More than 60 percent of the world's population lives in or around
the Pacific Rim and more than 40 nations use these waters to transport their
commerce. The U.S. trades more in this area than anywhere else.
With this in mind, the importance of our Navy's role in world affairs is evident. Carl
Vinson Battle Group is ideally suited to provide stability, to assist in humanitarian
operations and ensure our national interests are protected in this part of the world.
The battle group is commanded by Cruiser Destroyer Group THREE, Rear Admiral
Edward Moore, Jr., embarked aboard Carl Vinson. Also embarked aboard Carl
Vinson is the staff of Dsetroyer Squadron FIVE, commanded by Captain David T.
Hart, Jr. The embarked air wing is Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN, commanded by
Captain Hamlin B. Tallent.
Carl Vinson, homeported in Alameda, Calif., and commanded by Captain Larry C.
Baucom is the third of six Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carriers. Carl Vinson, with her
embarked air wing offers a flexible sustainable force capable of carrying out a wide
variety of missions. The Battle Group can rapidly reposition and respond to emerging
and ongoing world events. The primary mission in a crisis would be to maintain a
presence and show the United States flag as a sign of deterrence. However, every
element of a group is fully trained and capable of executing combat missions. These
missions include: establishing air superiority, deny surface ships and submarines use of
a specified area of water, perform a long range strike into enemy territory, intercept
merchant shipping to enforce established sanctions and evacuate military and civilian
personnel from foreign territory.
This deployment is Carl Vinson's second since 1990, when it began a complex
overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash. During the two and
half year overhaul, Carl Vinson received major upgrades and improvements in the
ship's equipment electronics and living spaces.
Additionally, new flight deck catapults and aircraft recovery systems were installed,
which allow greater flexibility in handling the air wing's modern aircraft.
The ship completed overhaul and returned to its Alameda homeport in April 1993.
Also deploying with Carl Vinson are the Guided Missile Frigate USS Crommelin
(FFG 37), commanded by Commander Andrew G. Sevald, and the
Nuclear-Powered Submarine USS Hawkbill (SSN 666), is commanded by
Commander S. R. Howard. Hawksbill and Crommelin are homeported in Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii.
Supporting the group as the primary replenishment ship is the Bremerton, Wash. Fast
Combat Support Ship USS Camden (AOE 2), commanded by Captain Evan M.
Chanik. Camden replenishes ships with petroleum products, ammunition and a variety
of dry and refrigerated stores.
Two San Diego homeported ships will be joining the task group. They are the Guided
Missile Cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), commanded by Captain Paul S. Schultz, and
USS Jefferson City (SSN 759), commanded by Commander Marty Smith.
Also serving with the task group are two Nuclear-Powered Guided Missile Cruisers.
They are USS Arkansas (CGN 41), commanded by Captain Thomas M. Keithly
and USS California (CGN 36), commanded by Captain Robert P. Perry.
The Carl Vinson task group has been instrumental in developing tactics and doctrine
for the use of submarines with battle groups.
Deploying aboard CARL VINSON are nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing
FOURTEEN. These squadrons are:
Fighter Squadrons 11 and 31, based at Naval Air Station Miramar, Calif.,
which fly the F-14D Tomcat. VF 11 is commanded by Commander Timothy
L. Benham. The commanding officer for VF 31 is Commander David Cully.
Strike-Fighter Squadrons 25 and 113, are based at Naval Air Station
Lemoore, Calif., and fly the F/A-18 Hornet. Commander Roger L. Welch is
the commanding officer for Strike-Fighter Squadron 25. Commander Doug
McClain is the commanding officer for Strike-Fighter Squadron 113.
Sea Control Squadron 35, is based at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
and commanded by Commander Larry McCracken. VS-35 flies the S-35
Viking.
Attack Squadron 196, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.,
and is commanded by Commander David J. Frederick, flies the A-6E
Intruder.
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113, based at Naval Air Station
Miramar, Calif., is commanded by Commander Steve Squires and flies the
E-2C Hawkeye.
Electronic Warfare Squadron 139, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey
Island, Wash., is commanded by Commander Ron C. Plucker and flies the
EA-6B Prowler.
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4, based at Naval Air Station North
Island, is commanded by Commander Time Davison and flies the SH-60F and
HH-60 H Seahawk.
There are approximately 80 aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN. The
offensive power embarked is shared by three types of aircraft: the A-6E Intruder, the
EA-6B Prowler and the F/A-18 Hornet. These aircraft can perform long range strike
missions, interdict major communications networks, conduct anti-surface warfare,
counter enemy electronic warfare threats and provide essential airborne refueling.
The primary air defense force is provided by the E-2C Hawkeye, F/A-18 Hornet
and the latest, improved version of the F-14 Tomcat, the F-14D. The Hawkeye gives
long-range early warning of all approaching air contacts and provides close radar
control to the F-14D Tomcats so they can intercept, identify and if necessary,
destroy enemy targets.
Detecting, tracking and if required destroying submarines are the primary missions of
the S-3B Viking and the SH-60 Seahawk. This mission is accomplished through a
variety of acoustic and non-acoustic sensors and various weapons. Both aircraft can
be configured to support a variety of other missions. The Viking can be used to
locate , track and counter surface ship threats and is one of primary delivery
platforms for in flight refueling. The Seahawk is used in search and rescue operations,
logistics and passenger transfers. The air wing team can be tasked with projecting
power, supporting amphibious landings by providing close air support for land based
forces, denying use of the air space several hundred miles around the carrier battle
group, and operational in support of joint operations with other services.
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-USN-
NAVY WIRE SERVICE - A WIRE (NWSA) - 13 June 1996
-NWSA1843. USS Arkansas on final deployment
ABOARD USS ARKANSAS (NWSA) -- USS Arkansas (CGN 41),
homeported in Bremerton, Wash., is three weeks into its final
Western Pacific deployment.
Midway across the Pacific, the nuclear-powered cruiser
joined the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Battle Group, composed of the
Carl Vinson, USS California (CGN 36), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS
Camden (AOE 2), USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) and USS Crommelin
(FFG 37).
Nearly 8,000 miles later, part of the battle group pulled
into Yokosuka, Japan. "I really looked forward to visiting Japan
because my wife and 6-month-old daughter live there now, and I
got a chance to spend some time with them," said Radioman 3rd
Class John G. Jenista, of Berlin, Pa.
While in port crew members toured Mt. Fuji and Tokyo. "I've
been to Japan before, but this was the first time I actually went
on a tour," said Personnelman Seaman Edward S. Martinez, of
Clint,
Texas. "The atmosphere was peaceful and quiet, and experiencing
Japanese culture was very interesting."
Arkansas will conduct exercises with the Japan Maritime Self
Defense Force. After that, the crew is scheduled for liberty in
Hong Kong, where they will have an opportunity to join tours into
mainland China.
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-USN-
NAVNEWS 036/96
NNS1353.
President orders Navy ships to unleash additional
cruise missiles against Iraq
by Alan Goldstein, Navy Office of Information
IN THE ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- President Clinton late Tuesday
evening ordered three Navy surface combatants and a submarine in
the Arabian Gulf to launch a second strike of 17 Tomahawk cruise
missiles against selected air defense targets in Iraq.
The Navy strike was delivered by USS Russell (DDG 59), USS
Hewitt (DD 966), USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Jefferson City (SSN
759). Their mission was to complete the suppression of Iraq's
air defense facilities which could potentially remain in
operation after the initial strike early Tuesday morning.
President Clinton also announced the southern "No Fly" zone
in Iraq was extended northward to the 33rd parallel. According
to DoD officials, the larger "No Fly" zone will make it easier
for the United States and its coalition partners to contain
Saddam Hussein's aggression.
USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS Laboon (DDG 58) and Air Force B-52
bombers flying from Guam launched 27 cruise missiles during the
initial strike yesterday.
The attacks were designed to reduce the risks to pilots who
began enforcing the expanded "No Fly" zone at noon today
(Wednesday).
President Clinton approved a military response to Iraqi
attacks against the Kurds Monday. Speaking at a press
conference from the White House Tuesday morning, he said, "Our
objectives are limited, but clear. To make Saddam pay a price
for the latest act of brutality, and to reduce his ability to
threaten his neighbors and America's interest."
USS Hewitt and USS Laboon are part of the USS Carl Vinson
(CVN 70) Battle Group that moved into the northern Arabian Gulf
last week in response to escalating activity by Iraqi ground
forces. USS Russell and Jefferson City are operating as part of
the maritime interception force under U.S. Fifth Fleet command.
The following ships are currently deployed to the Arabian
Gulf: USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Arkansas (CGN 41), USS
California (CGN 36), USS Shiloh (CGN 67), USS Laboon (DDG 58),
USS Hewitt (DD 966), USS Crommelin (FFG 37), USS Camden (AOE 2),
USS Tarawa (LHA 1), USS Duluth (LPD 6), USS Rushmore (LSD 47),
USS Ardent (MCM 12), USS Dextrous (MCM 13), USS Doyle (FFG 39),
USS Russell (DDG 59), USS Vandegrift (FFG 48), USS Jefferson
City (SSN 759), USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168), USNS Niagara Falls
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-USN-
NAVY WIRE SERVICE - A WIRE (NWSA) - 02 July 1996 -
NWSA1906.
USS California Sailors volunteer in Hong Kong and
Singapore
Singapore — Although the primary mission of Sailors aboard
USS California (CGN 36) is training for intense deployment
operations as part of USS Carl Vinson's Carrier Task Group, they
have not forgotten their responsibility as America's goodwill
ambassadors.
A week-long liberty visit to Hong Kong enabled 10
California Sailors to renovate the grounds of the Hong Kong
Society for the Protection of Children in Mong Kok, Kowloon.
California's crew, led by the ship's Chaplain Lieut. Ron Tomlin,
cleaned walls, renovated drain pipes and provided landscaping
services for the school which teaches 600 children.
The next day, 24 Sailors helped out the Hong Kong
Association for the Mentally Retarded at Pinehill Village, Tiapo,
New Territories. The work included painting and landscaping which improved safety for the children and enhanced the
appearance of the facility. "They were very pleased to have us," said Tomlin, who organized the events. "It was a lot of work,
but together we worked quickly and accomplished in a single day what would normally take weeks to do."
Another 24-member crew helped the Boy's Brigade Camp while in Singapore. In addition to extensive landscaping,
cleaning and painting, California's electricians rewired the facility which was in danger of being closed for failure to comply
with proper electrical safety standards. Led by Electrician's Mate 1st Class Christopher W. Anderson of Lompoc, Calif., the
Sailors ensured the camp would pass all electrical safety requirements.
Tomlin emphasized the importance of
community relations projects by U.S.
Sailors. "Our actions speak louder than
words," Tomlin said. "If we can continue to
lend professional expertise to [the people]
of the countries we visit and save time and
money in the process, we should do just
that. We get into it and thrive on it."
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