USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) — The John C. Stennis Strike Group conducted flight operations Oct. 5, in the South China Sea as it prepares to enter U.S. 5th Fleet in the coming weeks.

Stennis, which deployed from its homeport of Bremerton, Wash. in July, routinely performs aircraft launch and recovery operations in cooperation with other U.S. ships in its strike group in order to maintain operational readiness.

“Flight operations are a dangerous job, but we’re making it as safe as possible,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Kelsey Deer, Fuels Division’s leading chief petty officer aboard Stennis.

“Right now we’re doing normal flight training. It’s about recertifying and qualifying people to launch aircraft off of the carrier deck.”

The training, which is currently being conducted as Stennis transits through the U.S. 7th Fleet, prepares pilots and aircraft support personnel for any contingency they may encounter while operating in the Arabian Gulf.

Ships and aircraft of the John C. Stennis and George Washington carrier strike groups are currently exercising to hone their collective interoperability, readiness, and the capability to respond quickly to various crises in the region, ranging from combat operations to humanitarian assistance missions. As two of the Navy’s 11 global force carrier strike groups, the strike groups are further ensuring security, stability and peace in the vital Asia-Pacific region.
Stennis is currently deployed in U.S. 7th Fleet with Carrier Air Wing 9, Destroyer Squadron 21 and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

Source and photo: US Navy