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C3F Visits Stennis

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080310-18
Release Date: 3/10/2008 3:48:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Davis Anderson, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear visited USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) March 5, to view its progress during a major six-month maintenance period.

Locklear toured the ship, spoke with Sailors and viewed the various upgrades and improvements that have been completed during the ship's docking-planned incremental availability (DPIA), which began last September.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to come down," said Locklear as he spoke to the assembled chief petty officers in the chiefs' mess. "I timed this visit specifically because you're getting ready to transition out of the PIA phase into the underway phase and start your training cycle."

Locklear also thanked them for leading the DPIA efforts and advised them to be active in their Sailors' lives. He added that he was impressed with the crew.

"The other thing that I've seen today in the shipmates that I have spent time with is they have not been afraid to look me in the eye and say how proud they are of their ship, that they're proud of their Navy," said Locklear. "I get the sense that, that is where the ship is today, and that's miles ahead of most ships when they come out of DPIA."

Stennis' chiefs took his praise and advice to heart.

"I think it shows that the top level cares about what we're doing," said Senior Chief Hull Technician (SW/AW) David Conduff. "For him to take time to come and address us and note our progress getting through DPIA speaks volumes that the work we're doing actually matters."

Stennis is scheduled to complete DPIA and begin sea trials at the end of March, starting the workup cycle in preparation for a deployment in 2009.

"The John C. Stennis will be ready for sea just two weeks from now," said Capt. Bradley Johanson, Stennis' commanding officer. "Our fast cruise will be the ultimate demonstration that we are ready to take in all lines."

For more news from USS John C. Stennis, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn74/.