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USS Enterprise Begins Operations with U.S. 6th Fleet

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040212-13

Release Date: 2/12/2004 3:09:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class (SW) Jason Thompson, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ENTEPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) entered the waters of the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Feb. 5, after transiting the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea following almost four months of operations in the Middle East. For the crew, this transition is yet another milestone in what so far has been a remarkable deployment that began in late August 2003.

Enterprise Sailors were on the forefront of modern warfare as the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) united with the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) Expeditionary Strike Group in mid-October, creating the Navy's first Expeditionary Strike Force. The strike force juggernaut demonstrated two hallmarks of 21st century war fighting - versatility and flexibility.

"Versatility is one of our biggest strengths as a Navy," said Capt. John Lockler, Enterprise operations officer. "We carried out a wide variety of tasking, from flying missions over the air in Baghdad, to Afghanistan as part of Operation Mountain Resolve, and down to the Horn of Africa - sometimes simultaneously. I think it's safe to say this region would have been significantly less stable without our presence."

The strike force rooted out United Nations treaty violators by directing Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the Northern Arabian Gulf. The operations stopped the trafficking of record-breaking amounts of narcotics. "The two MIO takedowns were worth more the $800 million," said Lockler. "The ability to stop the funding of terrorists via the sea lanes represents a whole new attack in the war on terror."

In addition to MIO, in late December Big E took part in Sea Saber, a multi-national exercise in the Northern Arabian Sea designed to track and board vessels suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction. Twelve coalition forces united for the exercise.

"Fighting terrorism around the globe requires all the energy of partner nations. Exercises like Sea Saber are a part of growing together as nations and learning how to overcome obstacles," said Capt. Michael Chase, Enterprise's executive officer.

Big E's flight deck is nearly four and a half acres of sovereign Unites States territory. The embarked Carrier Airwing (CVW) 1 put Big E's flight deck to effective use as they flew nearly 8,000 sorties from the time Enterprise pulled away from its Norfolk pier Aug. 29. The squadron's air crews spent almost 18,000 hours in the air and made 7,300 traps, or carrier arrested landings, on the flight deck. CVW-1's contribution was felt throughout the entire U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

With the 5th Fleet behind, 6th Fleet is upon the Sailors and Marines of Big E and CVW-1. "From the minute we chopped out of 5th Fleet, the schedule is packed," said Lockler. "We'll be taking on distinguished visitors from Tunisia, Italy, Spain and Morocco. The 6th Fleet commander will be out to visit Big E. We'll have four fly days in the Mediterranean, and we're planning an exercise with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R 91). The first priority, though, is port calls. We'll get some great liberty in Naples, Italy, and Cartagena, Spain."

"This is a great opportunity to explore ancient western civilization," said Chase. "MWR [Morale, Welfare and Recreation] is contributing $120,000 to help fund trips to Rome. It would cost thousand of dollars for a Sailor or Marine to fly to Rome from the U.S. This is a chance to get a lifetime worth of memories."

An exciting aspect for Sailors going ashore in 6th Fleet is a more relaxed liberty policy than is needed in the Middle East. Enterprise Command Master Chief CMDCM (SW) Mike Oldknow is excited about representing the United States.

"We're representing the United States and the Navy as ambassadors. Our liberty behavior was incredible in the Jebel Ali and Bahrain," said Oldknow. "These Sailors and Marines proved they are the best America has to offer."

For Enterprise, the deployment of 2003-2004 may be most memorable for the Dec. 13 capture of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, captured by Army Special Forces while hiding in a hole in the ground.

"This deployment will always be ingrained in the mind because we got Saddam," said Chase. "The Sailors and Marines on board should be proud to have supported Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and the global war on terror. We were victorious."