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KH Strike Group Concludes Successful Summer Underway Period

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060915-16
Release Date: 9/15/2006 11:58:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Reinhardt, Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) returned to Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 15, ending a three-month summer at sea period.

The ship departed June 8 and took part in Exercise Valiant Shield 2006, a multi-service war game involving three carrier strike groups, 22,000 personnel, and 280 aircraft June 19 to 23. It was the largest military exercise conducted by the United States in Pacific waters since the Vietnam War.

“Kitty Hawk and the entire battle force have again completed an important theater security cooperation deployment,” said Rear Adm. Doug McClain, Carrier Strike Group 5 commander. “We have engaged and exercised with friends and allies, as well as combining our U.S. forces in the largest joint exercise that anyone can remember with Valiant Shield.”

Kitty Hawk pulled into Otaru, Japan, on Hokkaido Island from July 1 to 5 after Valiant Shield.

The carrier hit three more ports during the 99-day deployment: Singapore; Fremantle, Australia; and Laem Chabang, Thailand.

“Australia was a lot of fun. There were interesting sights, everyone was nice, very friendly, and the atmosphere was pleasant,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Charles Hill, a berthing cleaner with supply department’s S-11 division. “It was so relaxed and the shopping was fantastic.”

The Afloat Training Group observed Sailors for the Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) during this cruise. During TSTA, Sailors were graded on their performance during: mass casualty, general quarters, and main space fire drills.

Dozens of distinguished visitors boarded the carrier during this underway period for tours. Visitors included U.S. ambassador to Thailand, the Royal Thai army commander in chief, and various officials from Indonesia, Australia, Singapore and Japan.

The Kitty Hawk Strike Group includes the Kitty Hawk, the aircraft squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing 5, the guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Cowpens (CG 63), and Destroyer Squadron 15 staff. The group’s ships and destroyer squadron staff are based at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, and the air wing and staff are based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.