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Kitty Hawk Sailors maintain high readiness levels

Journalist 3rd Class Jeff Williams, USS Kitty Hawk public affairs

Posted 01/28/2003

ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK AT SEA -- As the nation remains engaged in the global war on terrorism, the crew of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) conducts training to remain prepared for any possible tasking in support of America's efforts.

The U.S. Navy's oldest active war ship recently departed its forward-deployed operating location of Yokosuka, Japan, for a scheduled two-day sea trial period.

During the sea trial period, Kitty Hawk's commanding officer, Capt. R. D. Barbaree Jr., directed the crew's focus to specific areas of training and readiness.

"Our main focus during sea trials was to improve our readiness levels and our ability to respond to national tasking by verifying repairs conducted during the ship's recent restricted availability period, exercising the ship's systems and training new crew members," Barbaree said.

Barbaree also stated Hawk's crew had to buckle down on that focus, as the sea trials lasted only two days.

"There were a lot of systems checks and training to be completed," he said. "We all worked together to make sure those tasks were completed safely and efficiently."

A notable difference between Kitty Hawk's most recent sea trials and those in the past was that the air department wasn't focused primarily on carrier qualifications with its air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5.

"We directed our attention on the Precision Approach Landing System, which assists our pilots in landing during poor weather and at night," said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW) Bruce James.

According to James, some carrier qualifications were performed, but that wasn't the main focus. Complete flight deck certification and carrier qualifications were scheduled to begin once the entire air wing embarked.

Kitty Hawk returned to Yokosuka Jan. 22 to onload CVW-5 personnel and make final preparations for a Jan. 23 departure.

"I'm certain the intense training and systems checks conducted over the past couple days were beneficial, and I have no doubt we are prepared to continue our training and successfully complete any mission we're tasked with," said Barbaree.

Kitty Hawk is currently underway conducting routine carrier operations.