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Ike Reaches Halfway Point

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070129-11
Release Date: 1/29/2007 1:06:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Seth Scarlett, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 reached the halfway point in their deployment Jan. 28.

Currently operating within U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s (NAVCENT) area of responsibility (AOR), Eisenhower and its carrier strike group are conducting maritime security operations (MSO).

To date, CVW-7 has flown 5,839 sorties and has logged more than 15,489 flight hours since the deployment began, providing air support for multi-national coalition ground forces in support of various operations in U.S. Central Command’s AOR.

A critical part in supporting operations is underway replenishments (UNREP). So far, Ike has completed 18 UNREPs, bringing everything from jet parts to food to fuel aboard the ship. Ike has taken on more than 19,000 pallets of supplies.

“I think the most memorable refuelling at sea was with USS Anzio (CG 68). We provided more than 300,000 gallons of JP-5 to them when they really needed it,” said Ship’s Boatswain Chief Warrant Officer Lyedell Gibson. “We made it look like we were one of the combat logistics force ships that do these types of refuelings routinely.”

The ship’s post office keeps Ike Sailors in touch with their loved ones, and has taken on about 235,000 pounds of mail.

“Two days before we pulled into Jebel Ali, we received the largest amount of mail to date, around 41,000 pounds,” said Postal Clerk 2nd Class Adrien Dicks of Supply Department’s S-12 division. “It took about a week to fully process it out to the crew.”

Food Service Division has also played a big part in keeping the crew happy. In the past four months, the carrier’s personnel have consumed 12,095 gallons of milk, 340,920 eggs, 51,000 pounds of ground beef, 106,851 pounds of chicken and 195,624 cups of cereal.

“The Thanksgiving dinner was one of the most challenging events we did,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW) Richard Scott, Food Services day crew supervisor. “It all worked out in the end, and we all felt great that the crew enjoyed the meal.”

Looking back on the first half of the cruise, Ike Sailors said there are many great experiences they have had during this deployment.

“I really enjoyed getting to see Italy and Cyprus,” said Quartermaster 3rd Class Melanie Berg of Navigation Department.

Other Sailors appreciated some of the special events Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) has put together.

“Having the Harlem Globetrotters on board was great. They definitely gave us the morale boost we needed,” said Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Robert Newman, of S-7 Division.

Ike celebrated the half-way point with special events planned by MWR, including an ice cream social, Ike Idol Show and karaoke.

“It’s important to commemorate the mid-way point,” said Ike Fun Boss Sara Dowell. “It’s a big milestone that needs to be recognized.”

The Ike Carrier Strike Group entered the Commander, 5th Fleet AOR on Oct. 30, and continues to conduct MSO. MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complementing the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.