• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Strike Group Commander Visits Crew of John Paul Jones

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070415-02
Release Date: 4/15/2007 10:59:00 AM

By Ensign Benjamin McCarty USS John Paul Jones Public Affairs

USS JOHN PAUL JONES, At Sea (NNS) -- The commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, Rear Adm. Terry Blake, visited the crew of USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) April 7.

His visit emphasized the importance of training and qualifying today’s Sailors, not only in support of the U.S. Navy’s mission, but also in support of individual quality of life and professional development.

The one-day visit also gave Blake a first glimpse at the ship’s newly installed Scaled Improvement Performance Sonar (SIPS) system, which will be tested during the ship’s deployment. Blake also observed a Ballistic Missile Defense exercise in the Combat Information Center, a demonstration designed to display John Paul Jones’ combat capabilities.

Following the demonstrations, the strike group commander met with both the wardroom and the chief petty officer’s mess, where he shared insight into possible employment for the ship during the deployment.

Additionally, Blake took the opportunity to recognize the crew, presenting them with the 2006 Golden Anchor Award for their impressive retention rate. He also took the time to answer questions and met one-on-one with several crew members.

John Paul Jones is currently deployed with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in support of operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

In addition to John Paul Jones, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group consists of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68); the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59); the guided-missile destroyers USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Chafee (DDG 90), and USS Pinckney (DDG 91); two detachments from the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 “Scorpions,” and Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit 11, Det. 15.