NAVY WIRE SERVICE (NWS) - December 20, 1999 -


NWS20dec-6. Constellation battle group returns home for the
holidays after six-month deployment
by USS Constellation Public Affairs
    SAN DIEGO (NWS) -- After a six-month overseas
deployment, more than 7,000 Sailors and Marines from the
Constellation Battle Group received an early Christmas
present when they returned to their homeports on Dec. 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
(VS) 38; Helicopter Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron 2 (HS 2);
and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 Detachment 3.
    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 U.S. as the 10-ship battle group returned after
departing from their homeports and bases last June on the
Navy's last deployment of the century.
    "The performance of USS Constellation, Carrier Air Wing
2 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 7,
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.
                            -USN-