Navnews  41/99

NNS4104. T.R., CVW EIGHT depart the Arabian Gulf
NNS4105. C5F welcomes Connie Battle Group to the Gulf



NNS4104. T.R., CVW EIGHT depart the Arabian Gulf

by USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

     ARABIAN GULF (NWS) -- After six weeks supporting 
Operation Southern Watch, USS Theodore Roosevelt and 
embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) EIGHT departed the 
Arabian Gulf after being relieved by USS Constellation 
(CV 63) August 28.
     T.R., CVW EIGHT and the 4,800 crewmembers aboard 
departed Norfolk, Va., March 26. The aircraft carrier 
and the Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group left for a 
routine six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf. 
However, on April 6, T.R. was diverted to the Ionian 
Sea to participate in Operation Allied Force to support 
the NATO-led air campaign in Kosovo. During the 10-week 
campaign, over 3,000 combat sorties were launched from 
T.R. without a single loss of aircraft or personnel. 
Air Wing EIGHT aircraft expended more than 800 tons of 
ordnance during the conflict. This operation also 
marked the first time a U.S. carrier battle group was 
transferred to NATO operational control.
     The T.R. and CVW EIGHT team arrived in the Arabian 
Gulf on July 14 to support the coalition-enforced no-
fly zone in Southern Iraq. Four days later, CVW EIGHT 
F/A-18 Hornets and F-14 Tomcats used precision-guided 
munitions to strike an Iraqi surface-to-air missile 
site. 
     As T.R. and CVW EIGHT completed their time on 
station in the Arabian Gulf, more than 2,300 sorties 
had been flown and more than four million gallons of 
JP-5 fuel was burned. These sorties included eight 
separate combat strikes on Iraqi air defense sites, and 
more than 30 tons of ordnance expended in response to 
Iraqi aggression against coalition aircraft. These 
bombardments represent the first time in recent history 
that strikes from the same aircraft carrier have taken 
place in two theaters of operation within one 
deployment.
     Ships assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle 
Group include: USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); USS Leyte 
Gulf (CG 55); USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); USS Albuquerque (SSN 
706); USS Arctic (AOE 8); USS Boise (SSN 764); USS Ramage 
(DDG 61); USS Ross (DDG 71); USS Peterson (DD 969); USS 
Elrod (FFG 55); and USS Halyburton (FFG 40).
     Squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing EIGHT include: 
VF-14; VF-41; VFA-15; VFA-87; HS-3; VAQ-141; VS-24; VAW-124; 
and VRC-40.
     Links list: ; 
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NNS4105. C5F welcomes Connie Battle Group to the Gulf

by JOSN A. R. Pree, USS Constellation Public Affairs

     ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- The 5,000-person crew of USS 
Constellation (CV 64) hosted their new boss, Vice Adm. 
Charles "Willy" Moore, Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet, 
August 28, the same day the ship officially relieved 
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Arabian Gulf. 
     Vice Adm. Moore visited Connie for an overnight 
stay as the San Diego-based aircraft carrier transited 
the Strait of Hormuz. His 24 hours on board included 
briefs, tours and extensive talks with hundreds of 
Sailors and Marines.
     Moore began his visit with several briefings on 
new equipment and capabilities incorporated by the 
battle group and embarked Carrier Air Wing TWO to 
provide improved combat effectiveness. 
     "I have never been more impressed with a carrier 
battle group's preparations for deployment to the 
Gulf," said Moore. "I recently received calls from 
CINCPACFLT (Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet) and 
COMNAVAIRPAC (Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific 
Fleet) informing me that I had the Connie coming to me, 
and that I had the best in the fleet. That is something 
to be proud of."
     While walking around the ship, Moore focused his 
comments on the important deterrence mission of the 
Constellation Battle Group and the impact the U.S. Navy 
has in the Gulf region.
     "Your mission in this region is important to the 
United States of America and our allies worldwide," 
said Moore. "Our nation has vital interests in this 
part of the world which are critical for the survival 
of our country. We have to have access to the Arabian 
Gulf in order to get the precious oil reserves that are 
here. We need to have peace and stability here so that 
these energy reserves can flow in and out if necessary. 
You are here to maintain that stability.
     "You are the central players here in the Gulf," 
Moore continued. "The Connie Battle Group represents 60 
to 70 percent of the strike assets Central Command has 
in this region. Thanks to you and all the battle groups 
who have served here before you, the Gulf region today 
is one of the most stable and peaceful areas in the 
world."
     The Constellation Battle Group will spend the next 
10 weeks in the Arabian Gulf and will continue to 
conduct maritime interception operation (MIO) boardings 
as well as fly combat air patrols over Iraqi no-fly 
zones in support of Operation Southern Watch.
     Ships assigned to the Constellation Battle Group 
include: USS Constellation (CV 64); USS Chosin (CG 65); 
USS Lake Erie (CG 70); USS Kinkaid (DD 965); USS 
Benfold (DDG 65); USS Santa Fe (SSN 763); USS Olympia 
(SSN 717); USS Sacramento (AOE 1); USCGC Midgett (WHEC 
726); Canadian frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334).
     Squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing TWO 
include: VF-2; VFA-137; VFA-151; VMFA-323; VAQ-131; 
VAW-116; VS-38; HS-2 and VRC-30 Det III.
     Links list: ; 
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