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U.S. House of Representatives Visit Ike

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070412-02
Release Date: 4/12/2007 9:11:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Seth Scarlett, USS Dwight D. Eishenhower Public Affairs

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- Members of the U.S. House of Representatives visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) at sea April 9 to observe flight operations and the strike group concept.

The group, led by Rep. Gene Taylor from the 4th Congressional District of Mississippi, is visiting Ike Sailors and getting the chance to see them in their normal working environment to have better information about how the decisions they make back in Washington relate to IKE and her crew.

“We came out to see how we can be of assistance in the decisions we make in D.C.,” said Rep. Brad Ellsworth from the 8th District, Indiana. “We want Sailors to know how much everyone in Congress supports them.”

The representatives viewed flight and hangar bay operations and also had the opportunity to eat with Sailors on the mess decks.

“It’s a very exciting experience. Not everyone gets to see the flight deck,” said Taylor. “Sometimes it’s easy to forget the sacrifices these Americans make. You’ve got to get out and see the men and women who are at sea eight months at a time and let them know how hard they’re working.”

The congressmen hope to leave Ike Sailors with the impression that they fully support the crew and their mission, and that they will use the experience aboard Ike to aid them in making important decisions back in Washington.

“Although it was short, I hope the Sailors know that by making this trip out here we’re showing our support for them,” said Ellsworth. “It was an honor to visit everyone and let them know how we appreciate what they’re doing.”

Taylor and Ellsworth were joined by fellow Representatives Henry Johnson from the 4th District, Georgia, Kevin McCarthy from the 22nd District, California, Vern Buchanan from the 13th District, Florida; and Adrian Smith from the 3rd District, Nebraska.

Ike is the flagship for the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which includes its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 7, and embarked Destroyer Squadron 28; guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68); guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Mason (DDG 87).

The Ike CSG departed Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 3, for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and entered the Commander, 5th Fleet area of operations Oct. 30.