Military

Adm. Dennis C. Blair, commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Command, made an all-hands call
aboard the aircraft carrier to congratulate the sailors on their recent Operation Enduring
Freedom deployment and to steel them for the task ahead.

"I know that you will go back and be even better than you were the last time. This
time you will go with all your airplanes instead of other people's," Blair said,
referring to the role the Kitty Hawk played as a floating base for special operations
troops and helicopters last fall.

A reduced Kitty Hawk air wing flew about 100 combat missions during the deployment. The
ship will sail with its full complement of aircraft this time, Blair said.

"We will put you back in the mission you know and do so well," Blair said.

He also reminded the 750 sailors that the campaign against terror is far from over and
to keep a watchful eye even in the most mundane situations.

"We haven't put Osama bin Laden in a cage yet, but he ain't
communicating with anyone and he ain't planning any attacks. As the president said,
we're going to keep after these guys so that they cannot be a threat to us or our
allies," Blair said.

"These guys are ruthless, they are after us, and we haven't eliminated all
the danger yet. Keep your eyes open."

On Monday, Blair reiterated that the United States wants to have a continued carrier
presence in Yokosuka after the Kitty Hawk is decommissioned.

He did not rule out a nuclear-powered carrier as the Kitty Hawk replacement, something
the Japanese have opposed.

After a 15-minute off-the-cuff speech to the sailors in the hangar bay, Blair toured
the ship, talking to and congratulating sailors on their past mission.

He noted how much technology had improved since he served in Yokosuka.

"They are reporting the news at the same time that you're making the
news," Blair said. "You get a sense of how much America is watching you do your
job."

Kitty Hawk sailors said they appreciated the visit by Blair, and looked forward to
getting back under way.

"It's always nice to know that people at the top are watching what we are
doing and think we did a good job," said Airman Chris Taylor. "It's good to
know a little bit about the next mission we'll have, even if it's not that much
information."

"It means a little more coming from a guy who knows the Kitty Hawk," said
Seaman Andrew Nicholas, referring to Blair's time as commander of the battle group.
"We'll be ready to go again when we need to be."

On Tuesday, Blair was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun for his
contribution to peace and stability in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.

Japanese Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani presented the award to Blair in Tokyo and
praised the admiral's efforts in multilateral exercises, humanitarian assistance and
fighting terrorism.