USS Constellation News Archives

December 17, 1999

By USS Constellation Public Affairs

After a 6-month overseas deployment, more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines from the Constellation Battle Group received an early Christmas present when they returned to their homeports on December 17.

The aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV 64) arrived in San Diego to the cheers of thousands of family and friends waiting on the pier. Commanded by Scotia, N.Y., native, Capt. Jamie Kelly, the 38-year old Constellation completed its 19th overseas deployment. In addition to Constellation's 3,000 Sailors, San Diego also welcomed back several air squadrons including Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 323 (VMFA 323), Sea Control Squadron 38 (VS 38), Helicopter Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron 2 (HS 2), and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 Detachment 3 (VRC 30 Det III). Sailors aboard the San Diego-based destroyers USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS Kinkaid (DD 965) returned to their loved ones earlier that morning.

Similar scenes were played out in several cities across the Western United States as the 10-ship battle group returned after departing from their homeports and bases last June on the U.S. Navy's last deployment of the century.

"The performance of USS Constellation, Carrier Air Wing Two and our battle group ships and submarines during the last six months was nothing short of extraordinary," said Rear Adm. David Hart, Constellation Battle Group commander. "Our Sailors and Marines deserve all the credit for setting a new standard of excellence during a very successful deployment."

During its 10-week patrol in the Arabian Gulf region, the Connie Battle Group flew more than 5,000 casualty-free sorties, including nearly 1,300 in support of Operation Southern Watch. These flights included nine separate combat strikes and more than 43 tons of ordnance expended on various Iraqi air defense sites in response to Iraqi aggression against coalition aircraft.

Battle group escort ships, under the command of Commodore Richard Arnold, commander, Destroyer Squadron Seven, boarded and searched 140 merchant ships to ensure no illegal importing or exporting was taking place under United Nations sanctions against Iraq.

In addition to visiting Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Australia, ships of the Constellation Battle Group hosted approximately 100,000 visitors during these liberty calls. Sailors and Marines also participated in dozens of community relations projects which included various activities such as spending time with children at orphanages to refurbishing buildings at senior citizens homes.

Constellation Battle Group commands returning home included Cruiser Destroyer Group One (San Diego); Destroyer Squadron Seven (San Diego); USS Constellation CV-64 (San Diego); USS Kinkaid DD-965 (San Diego); USS Benfold DDG-65 (San Diego); USS Chosin CG-65 (Pearl Harbor, Hawaii); USS Lake Erie CG-70; (Pearl Harbor); USS Santa Fe SSN-763 (Pearl Harbor); USS Olympia SSN-717 (Pearl Harbor); USS Sacramento AOE-1 (Bremerton, Wash.); USCGC Midgett WHEC-726 (Seattle, Wash.); HMCS Regina FFH-334 (Victoria, BC, Canada); Carrier Air Wing Two (Lemoore, Calif.); VFA-137 (Lemoore); VFA-151 (Lemoore); VMFA-323 (Miramar, Calif.); VF-2 (Oceana, Va.); VAQ-131 (Whidbey Island, Wash.); VAW-116 (Point Mugu, Calif.); VS-38 (San Diego); HS-2 (San Diego); VRC-30 Det III (San Diego).


	Constellation Battle Group returns home for the holidays after six-month deployment
	December 17, 1999 By USS Constellation Public Affairs After a 6-month overseas deployment, more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines from the Constellation Battle Group received an early Christmas present when they returned to their homeports on December 17. The aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV 64) arrived in San Diego to the cheers of thousands of family and friends waiting on the pier. Commanded by Scotia, N.Y., native, Capt. Jamie Kelly, the 38-year old Constellation completed its 19th overseas deployment. In addition to Constellation's 3,000 Sailors, San Diego also welcomed back several air squadrons including Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 323 (VMFA 323), Sea Control Squadron 38 (VS 38), Helicopter Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron 2 (HS 2), and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 Detachment 3 (VRC 30 Det III). Sailors aboard the San Diego-based destroyers USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS Kinkaid (DD 965) returned to their loved ones earlier that morning. Similar scenes were played out in several cities across the Western United States as the 10-ship battle group returned after departing from their homeports and bases last June on the U.S. Navy's last deployment of the century. "The performance of USS Constellation, Carrier Air Wing Two and our battle group ships and submarines during the last six months was nothing short of extraordinary," said Rear Adm. David Hart, Constellation Battle Group commander. "Our Sailors and Marines deserve all the credit for setting a new standard of excellence during a very successful deployment." During its 10-week patrol in the Arabian Gulf region, the Connie Battle Group flew more than 5,000 casualty-free sorties, including nearly 1,300 in support of Operation Southern Watch. These flights included nine separate combat strikes and more than 43 tons of ordnance expended on various Iraqi air defense sites in response to Iraqi aggression against coalition aircraft. Battle group escort ships, under the command of Commodore Richard Arnold, commander, Destroyer Squadron Seven, boarded and searched 140 merchant ships to ensure no illegal importing or exporting was taking place under United Nations sanctions against Iraq. In addition to visiting Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Australia, ships of the Constellation Battle Group hosted approximately 100,000 visitors during these liberty calls. Sailors and Marines also participated in dozens of community relations projects which included various activities such as spending time with children at orphanages to refurbishing buildings at senior citizens homes. Constellation Battle Group commands returning home included Cruiser Destroyer Group One (San Diego); Destroyer Squadron Seven (San Diego); USS Constellation CV-64 (San Diego); USS Kinkaid DD-965 (San Diego); USS Benfold DDG-65 (San Diego); USS Chosin CG-65 (Pearl Harbor, Hawaii); USS Lake Erie CG-70; (Pearl Harbor); USS Santa Fe SSN-763 (Pearl Harbor); USS Olympia SSN-717 (Pearl Harbor); USS Sacramento AOE-1 (Bremerton, Wash.); USCGC Midgett WHEC-726 (Seattle, Wash.); HMCS Regina FFH-334 (Victoria, BC, Canada); Carrier Air Wing Two (Lemoore, Calif.); VFA-137 (Lemoore); VFA-151 (Lemoore); VMFA-323 (Miramar, Calif.); VF-2 (Oceana, Va.); VAQ-131 (Whidbey Island, Wash.); VAW-116 (Point Mugu, Calif.); VS-38 (San Diego); HS-2 (San Diego); VRC-30 Det III (San Diego).