• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Congressmen Embark Aboard USS Carl Vinson

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS141026-01
Release Date: 10/26/2014 11:19:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Curtis D. Spencer, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Public Affairs

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- Representatives from California and Florida Congressional delegates experienced air operations while on a distinguished visitor (DV) embark aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Oct. 22.

The representatives toured the ship and interacted with crewmembers while visiting the ship's bridge, 'vultures row' (the highest vantage point on the ship's tower from which to view flight operations over the carrier's flight deck), and having lunch with constituent Sailors from their respective districts.

The embark allowed Representatives Darrel Issa and Juan Vargas of California and John Mica of Florida to experience, if only for a few hours, life at sea on a deployed aircraft carrier. The visit also gave the delegates the opportunity to meet Carl Vinson Sailors, who were afforded the opportunity to meet their Congressional representatives at a luncheon in the ward room.

'It was pretty awesome,' said Seaman Christina Walker. 'I always thought congressmen were really stern and intimidating. Congressman Mica was really nice, approachable and down to earth.'

Walker added that having her congressman visit while the ship is deployed really meant a lot to her.

'I never in a million years thought I would meet the congressman from my hometown, especially out here,' stated Walker. 'Being able to eat with him, joke with him and ask him questions was the coolest thing. He won my vote.'

Representative Mica echoed Walker's sentiments and expressed the DVs' gratitude for the crewmembers' service during a question and answer session following lunch.

'We just want to say thank you,' said Mica. 'We appreciate the job you are doing. We appreciate your sacrifices,' he added.

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the AOR supporting maritime security operations, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed and theater security cooperation efforts.