NNS020606-11 Kitty Hawk, CVW-5 Complete 7-Week Western Pacific Training Mission
Release Date: 6/6/2002 12:49:00 PM
By By Journalist Seaman Jeff Williams, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs
USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- After more than seven weeks of training, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), returned to its forward-deployed port of Yokosuka, Japan, June 5. The aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 returned to Atsugi, Japan, June 3 and 4.
While at sea, Kitty Hawk and CVW-5 Sailors participated in readiness exercises with foreign allies and conducted routine training throughout all of the ship's departments to qualify personnel new to the ship.
According to Hawk's commanding officer, Capt. Thomas Hejl, training coordinated between the ship's crew and the air wing was particularly important, because this was the first time in almost a year that the crews worked together.
"Carrier Air Wing 5 was not with us on our most recent deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, so the opportunity for them to re-qualify and train for upcoming deployments was key during this time at sea," said Hejl.
Along with getting up to speed on flight operations, the "Hawk/5" team also had to train new crew members to ensure the ship's mission readiness.
"We've had a lot of new people check aboard in the past few months. Many of them had never been underway with the ship, so making sure everyone was well-trained in every aspect of their specific rating was essential," said Storekeeper Master Chief (SW/AW) Jeffrey Clark, of Hawk's supply department.
During the underway period, Hawk made port visits to Hong Kong, Singapore and Guam. According to Hejl, each port provided opportunities for training and simulating combat operations.
Hong Kong was the first port call. While transiting there, members of the Kitty Hawk Battle group -- including Hawk, USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), USS O'Brien (DD 975) and USS Vandergrift (FFG 48) -- conducted strategic maneuvering exercises.
Before pulling into Singapore, the Hawk/5 team conducted military maneuvering drills with the Singapore navy and air force, which enabled the crew to test its systems against a very competitive and challenging opponent, according to Lt. Cmdr. Dean Smith, of Hawk's operations department.
A bombing range near Guam gave the air wing the opportunity to drop live ordnance and test pilots' accuracy, as well as testing the flight deck personnel's ability to launch and recover aircraft in an efficient manner, according to CVW-5's public affairs officer, Lt. j.g. Nicole Kratzer.
Along with the training conducted by Hawk and its air wing, Hawk also celebrated a historic milestone during the underway period. "We celebrated our 41st birthday prior to our arrival in Hong Kong, and that is an amazing accomplishment for any Navy ship," said Hejl.
Battle group ships participating in this underway training period included Chancellorsville, USS Cowpens (CG 63), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS John S. McCain (DD 56), O'Brien, USS Cushing (DD 985) and Vandergrift. The submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) and replenishment ships USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204), USNS Kiska (T-AE 35) and USNS Concord (T-AFS 5) supported the training operations.
According to Hejl, the battle group came together as a team for the training, and proved it is ready take on any contingency it could be faced with in the Western Pacific.
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