[MilCom] NavNews for Tuesday, October 19, 2004

[Greg Brazil]

>                                    -USN-
> 
>  NNS041018-08. San Diego Ships to Depart with USS
>  Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group
> 
>  From U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs
> 
>  SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
>  Carrier Strike Group arrived in San Diego Oct. 16 and will
>  depart Oct. 19 to support Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet potential
>  contingency operations and theater security cooperation
>  initiatives. 
> 
>  The Lincoln Carrier Strike Group will deploy with the following
>  San Diego-based ships: the cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67),
>  commanded by Capt. Joe Harriss; and the destroyer USS
>  Benfold (DDG 65), commanded by Cmdr. Don Hornbeck.
>  Other ships deploying with the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group
>  include the Everett, Wash.-based destroyer USS Shoup (DDG
>  86), led by Cmdr. Alexander T. Casimes; the Pearl
>  Harbor-based attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724),
>  under the command of Cmdr. David Kirk; and the fast combat
>  support ship USS Rainier (AOE 7), based in Bremerton,
>  Wash,.   
> 
>  Abraham Lincoln is the flagship for the strike group commander,
>  Rear Adm. Doug Crowder, commander, Abraham Lincoln
>  Carrier Strike Group. On deployment, Abraham Lincoln will
>  also be home to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 9,
>  commanded by Capt. Jon W. Kaufman; and commander,
>  Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, commanded by Capt. Craig Geron.
> 
>  Capt. Kendall L. Card of Fort Stockton, Texas, commands
>  Abraham Lincoln at the center of the strike group. Abraham
>  Lincoln carries approximately 3 million gallons of fuel for 70
>  aircraft and three escort ships, and enough weapons and stores
>  for extended operations without replenishment. The massive
>  flight deck covers 4.5 acres and looms almost seven stories
>  above the water. 
> 
>  "Because of our surge capabilities under the new Fleet Response
>  Plan, our deployment will actually result in having spent less days
>  at sea overall," explained Crowder. "We will continue to train for
>  this mission, becoming progressively more ready as we depart
>  the West Coast and head across the Pacific."
> 
>  This is the first deployment for Abraham Lincoln since the ship
>  and crew returned from their historic 10-month deployment in
>  May 2003 supporting Operations Southern Watch, Enduring
>  Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
> 
>  Abraham Lincoln's embarked air wing consists of the following
>  types of aircraft: F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18E Super Hornet,
>  EA-6B Prowler, E-2C Hawkeye, C-2 Greyhound and
>  SH/HH-60 Seahawk. These aircraft can be used to conduct
>  strikes, support land battles, protect the strike group or other
>  friendly shipping, and implement a sea or air blockade. This will
>  be the first deployment of a carrier air wing without the F-14
>  Tomcat and the S-3B Viking. This is also the first deployment of
>  an SH-60B Seahawk squadron aboard a carrier; the helicopter
>  is typically deployed on surface combatants. 
> 
>  Also deploying with the Lincoln Strike Group are the following
>  units: 
> 
>  - Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, the Bounty Hunters, is the
>  Air Wing's air superiority and interceptor squadron. Flying the
>  F/A-18F "Super Hornet," VFA-2 is based at Naval Air Station
>  (NAS) Lemoore, Calif.
> 
>  - Strike Figher Squadron (VFA) 151, the Vigilantes, is one of
>  the three air wing squadrons that flies the Navy's newest Night
>  Strike Fighter version of the F/A-18 Hornet. VFA-151 is based
>  at NAS Lemoore.
> 
>  - Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, the Kestrels, is also an
>  F/A-18 Hornet squadron, fulfilling the strike fighter role.
>  VFA-137 is also based at NAS Lemoore.
> 
>  - Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 82, the Marauders, is also an
>  F/A-18C Hornet squadron, fulfilling the strike fighter role.
>  VFA-82 is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
> 
>  For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand
>  at www.news.navy.mil. 
> 
>                                    -USN-
>                                    -USN-