Carl Vinson Cruises toward Deployment Preparations

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160429-14
Release Date: 4/29/2016 1:37:00 PM

By Airman Courtney Leavitt, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) began simulating an at-sea environment April 26, in preparation for their first underway since returning from a 10-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations.

The simulated at-sea environment, or fast cruise, is a multiday simulated underway period consisting of drills and training evolutions to ensure the carrier is in good working condition and personnel are trained to safely operate the ship at sea.

Fast cruise is the ship's final training event prior to going underway for sea trials.

"This crew has done an exceptional job preparing the ship for fast cruise and sea trails," said Capt. Karl Thomas, Carl Vinson commanding officer. "We have had a large turnover of personnel since we were at sea, but I have complete confidence in the ability of each and every Sailor on board this ship."

Not only does the fast cruise train and test the proficiency of the crew, it also gets them back into an operational mindset. This is critical since Carl Vinson is completing a nearly 8-month Chief of Naval Operations maintenance availability, said Thomas.

"The distance we've come in the last five months is truly impressive," said Thomas. "I appreciate the hard work and dedication [of] Team Vinson, to include our shipyard partners, displayed in getting us to where we are today to ensure this ship is ready to return to sea."

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) is preparing for a 2017 Western Pacific deployment.