Military

Kitty Hawk Departs for Winter Underway

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050210-02
Release Date: 2/10/2005 1:19:00 PM
 

By Journalist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Elrod, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- Having recently completed the certifications and qualifications necessary for putting to sea, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) departed Yokosuka, Japan, Feb. 10, joined by Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, for a scheduled winter underway period.

During the underway period, Kitty Hawk Sailors will perform drills such as general quarters, and simulate responding to various military situations in order to keep them ever prepared and mission ready.

"It's great to have the team together again," said Capt. Tom Parker, Kitty Hawk commanding officer. "We'll continue qualifications with CVW-5, as well as getting our Sailors the valuable training that can only be accomplished when everyone is on board and underway."

In addition to ship-wide drills, department specific drills will be held to increase the efficiency and knowledge of every Sailor and work center aboard the ship. Drills of one sort or another are held in virtually every department, from navigators and helmsmen on the bridge, to engineers working in machinery rooms deep within the ship's hull.

"Our 'Team Engineering' will be conducting numerous casualty control drills and evolutions during our day-to-day, 24/7, engineering operations," said Master Chief Machinist's Mate (SW) Rick A. Seiter, engineering department's acting leading chief petty officer.

Heading out to sea in order to maintain the Navy's presence and mission readiness is not just the job of every shipboard Sailor, it is a primary purpose of the entire Forward-Deployed Naval Forces, or FDNF.

"This is what FDNF is all about," said Parker. "Working and training together at sea to be fully mission-capable, and to bring peace and stability to the region through our presence and engagement."

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