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USS Kitty Hawk Visits Guam

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS040823-04
Release Date: 8/23/2004 10:46:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class Michael D. Mitchell, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

Guam (NNS) -- More than 5,000 Sailors aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), along with elements of the Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group (CSG), pulled in to Apra Harbor the morning of Aug. 19 for a scheduled port visit during the ship's Spring underway period.

"We are pleased to be visiting Guam once again," said Capt. Thomas Parker, Kitty Hawk commanding officer. "The hospitality here is always top notch."

While taking liberty in this tropical paradise, Sailors will have ample opportunity to rest, relax and take advantage of the world-famous hospitality offered by Guam. Many of the Sailors are expected to take in the island's scenic attractions and provide a significant boost to the local economy through the purchase of various goods and services.

"This visit is another opportunity for our Sailors to enjoy the island beauty and the friendly people of Guam while we get some needed rest and relaxation," added Parker.

Kitty Hawk and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 have been at sea in the western Pacific Ocean participating in various military exercises and readiness demonstrations.

During this underway period, the Kitty Hawk CSG participated in maritime readiness demonstration Summer Pulse '04, a test of the Navy's new Fleet Response Plan, and Joint Air and Sea Exercise (JASEX) '04 with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CSG.

JASEX '04 provided a unique opportunity to operate two CSGs together, along with land-based Air Force assets. The joint military presence demonstrated continued U.S. commitment to peace and stability throughout the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Parker, commanding officer of Kitty Hawk, Capt. Joseph Aucoin, commander of CVW-5, and Capt. Sam Perez, the embarked commodore of Destroyer Squadron 15, are expected to pay courtesy visits to various community leaders and business organizations during their stay.

"Service projects will also be on the agenda for our Sailors," Parker said.

Kitty Hawk was commissioned April 29, 1961, and is America's oldest active warship. Kitty Hawk is the first of the modern "super carriers," and is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, operating from Yokosuka, Japan.

The Kitty Hawk CSG is the largest carrier strike group in the Navy and is composed of Kitty Hawk, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, the guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Cowpens (CG 63), and Destroyer Squadron 15.

CVW-5, embarked aboard Kitty Hawk with more than 70 aircraft, operates from Atsugi, Japan, as another essential element of naval aviation and U.S. 7th Fleet operations.

Destroyer Squadron 15 is comprised of the guided-missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG 49), guided-missile destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), the destroyer USS Cushing (DD 985), and the frigates USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and USS Gary (FFG 51).