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USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conducted Tiger Cruise en route to San Diego. Calif. from 19 to 24 November 2008.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) with CVW-14 and Rear Adm. Scott Hebner, Commander, Carrier Strike Group Seven who relieved Rear Admiral James P. Wisecup on 27 October 2008, while on deployment in the 7th Fleet Area of Operations arrived San Diego, Calif. on 25 November 2008, as hundreds of friends and family members gathered pierside, with Capt. Kenneth Norton commanding, who assumed command May 2, departing on 19 May 2008; her third “Westpac” in support of national and theater cooperative security commitments in the western Pacific, and Indian Ocean in support of the global war on terrorism, her 2nd Operation Enduring Freedom and 2nd Maritime Security Operations (MSO) deployment on the U. S. Navy’s 88th Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf deployment since September 1945 operating under operational control of the US Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet ended. the US 5th Fleet, reactivated with operational control of the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain in July 1995, while U.S. Naval Forces Central Command operational control extends to the Indian Ocean following the war with Iraq (Operation Desert Storm), with the Commander, 7th Fleet, serving as naval component commander for Central Command, at the beginning of Operation Southern Watch. Underway in the Eastern Pacific from 19 to 21 May 2008 operating with the 3rd Fleet, while from the 22 to 25 operating areas was not reported. Fourteen fallen shipmates were committed to the sea, May 26, off the coast of Hawaii, during a burial at sea service aboard Ronald Reagan and two-hundred and forty-seven of the Navy's petty officers received promotions during a frocking ceremony, May 26. Remaining off the waters of Hawaii, the ships of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 commenced an undersea warfare exercise (USWEX) in the waters of the Hawaiian operating area, May 28. Participating in the exercise was the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Howard (DDG 83) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43). Two nuclear-powered fast attack submarines also participated. Operating areas from 29 to 30 May were not reported. Underway in the Pacific from 31 May to 4 June 2008, crossing the International Date Line and entered the 7th Fleet AOR on 5 June 2008. Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) paid tribute to the heroism and sacrifice of World War II Navy veterans June 6, during a ceremony held aboard Thach as the ship passed Wake Island, marking the 66th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Thach, the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62); and the other ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON 7), the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) operated as part of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Underway on “WestPac” from 5 to 18 June 2008, Ronald Regan entered the Philippine Sea on 13 June 2008 and the South China Sea on 17 June 2008, while six ships and more than 7,000 Sailors of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) arrived in Hong Kong June 19 for a scheduled port visit. Many of the COMREL projects CSG 7 Sailors volunteered for directly benefited children and the elderly. USS Decatur and USS Ronald Reagan Sailors -- 45 in all -- visited the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children's Wai Yin Nursery School, where they sang songs and played games with the children. Underway on “WestPac” from 22 to 24 June 2008, Ronald Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships arrived on station near the central Philippine island of Panay in the Sulu Sea June 25 to join the humanitarian assistance mission being led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the wake of damage caused by Typhoon Fengshen. Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and other supporting ships teamed with their counterparts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deliver much-needed relief supplies to the victims of Typhoon Fengshen on the island of Panay June 26. A Ronald Reagan Sailor, Storekeeper Seaman Grace Geroche, a native of Iloilo City, Republic of the Philippines, returned home June 27 to assist the joint Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and U.S. Navy humanitarian efforts and console her family, who nearly lost their lives when Typhoon Fengshen struck the area. U.S. ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney joined by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander Yano, came aboard June 29, to receive a briefing on the continuing effort to assist victims of Typhoon Fengshen, and to thank Sailors for their support of AFP-led humanitarian efforts on the island of Panay. Ronald Reagan remained off the coast of Panay Island in the Sulu Sea providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen from 25 June to 3 July 2008, departing the Sulu Sea and the waters around the Philippine island of Panay, July 3, after assisting the Philippine government's humanitarian relief operation. Prior to the group's departure, senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) thanked the more than 40 members of the strike group's humanitarian assistance support team in a special ceremony. Underway on “WestPac” from 4 to 5 July 2008, Ronald Reagan pulled into Agana Harbor off the coast of Guam and visited from 6 to 9 July 2008. Underway on “WestPac” from 10 to 13 July 2008, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7, including four ships and more than 5,500 Sailors, arrived in Republic of Korea ports July 14 for routine port visits, with the the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) docking in Busan, while the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Howard (DDG 83) moored in the port city of Chinhae, visiting Busan, Republic of Korea from 14 to 17 July 2008, during which time the Pacific Fleet Sailor of the Year Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) Justin Melton was meritoriously promoted to chief petty officer (CPO) July 17 in a ceremony honoring the Navy's top performers. More than 5,500 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 and five ships departed two Republic of Korea ports July 18 after a routine port visit marked by numerous community service activities across the area. More than 240 strike group Sailors donated their off-duty time at orphanages, rehabilitation centers for the disabled and homes for the elderly July 15-16. Twenty Sailors from USS Howard (DDG 83) visited a children's home July 17 in Chinhae, Republic of Korea, with 25 Sailors from the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), continuing a decade-long tradition of U.S. Navy ships supporting the home.Underway in the East China Sea on 18 July 2008, resuming operations and “WestPac” from 19 to 27 July 2008. More than 5,500 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group 7 (CSG) and five ships arrived in Japan for a routine port visit July 28, while the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) stopped in Yokosuka, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) anchored in Fukuoka, while it was reported that one hundred-sixteen USS Thach Sailors scaled Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak, July 26 during the ship's port visit to Yokosuka, Japan. The storied 12,389-foot mountain is the legendary home of a fire god, a Shinto goddess of flowing trees and is also known as the home to a Buddhist god of wisdom. Japanese culture associates the peak to heaven because the mountain is revered for its enormous size. More than half of Thach's crew made the historic climb. More than 5,500 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group 7 (CSG) and five ships arrived in Japan for a routine port visit July 28; visiting Sasebo, Japan from 28 to 31 July 2008, four ships and more than 5,000 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group 7 (CSG) 7 departed Japan July 31 and August 1 after routine port visits marked by numerous displays of goodwill and community service throughout the country. While in Japan, more than 200 strike group Sailors volunteered their time and effort to help make a difference in various Japanese communities by participating in eight Community Relations (COMREL) projects at local high schools and orphanages. Underway on “Westpac” from 1 to 4 August 2008, Ronald Reagan operated in the South China Sea from 5 to 12 August 2008 and the Java Sea from 13 to 17 August 2008.Three ships and more than 5,500 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 arrived in Port Kelang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a routine port visit Aug. 18, accompanied with the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) pulled into Port Kelang, visiting Port Kelang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 18 to 21 August 2008, departing Malaysia Aug. 21 after routine port visits highlighted by displays of good will, community service and a variety of cultural tours. While in Kuala Lumpur, more than 200 strike group Sailors volunteered to help make a difference in several Malaysian communities by participating in eight community relations projects at local children's homes. Chief petty officer selectees from Ronald Reagan painted the Agathians Shelter Children's Home in Petaling Jaya, a neighboring city. Sailors also embarked on tours offered by morale, welfare and recreation. Several buses traveled to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, a shelter used to relocate elephants that disturb crops and farmland. Underway in the Indian Ocean from 21 to 27 August 2008, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group assumed the duties as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 50 Aug. 28, and launched its first sorties into Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 departed the decks of the strike group’s flagship, bound for Afghanistan to support coalition ground forces. Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group joined by the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) relieved the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group on station who has operated in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), performing the CTF 50 mission for just over four months or since April. Other CSG-7 ships supported Maritime Security Operations (MSO) while deployed to the region. The guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101), as well as the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) joined Coalition Task Forces 152 and 150 help deter destabilizing activities and ensure a lawful maritime order in the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden. “Abraham Lincoln and her Sailors performed incredibly well,” said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “We received an outstanding turnover from Lincoln, and we’re here to provide the same high level of support to our coalition troops.” The squadrons of CVW-14 include the “Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the “Fist of the Fleet” of VFA-25, the “Stingers” of VFA-113, the “Eagles” of VFA-115, the “Black Eagles” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the “Cougars” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, and the “Black Knights” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4. Underway in the North Arabian Sea from 28 August to 1 October 2008, during which time forty-two Sailors from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 and Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 7 entered the ranks of the chief petty officer (CPO) during a CPO pinning ceremony on the aircraft carrier's flight deck Sept. 16 and Rock singer Scott Stapp visited and performed a concert for Ronald Reagan Sailors Sept. 24, while the ship remained on station in the Gulf of Oman providing support for Operation Enduring Freedom. The concert, hosted by the ship's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) department, was held on the flight deck for the entire crew as part of a motivational 'thank you' to service members from Stapp and his band. Ronald Reagan made a port visit in the Middle East from 2 to 5 October 2008. More than 70 Sailors assigned to the Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wcng (CVW) 14 gathered on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Oct. 13 to reaffirm their oath of enlistment during a mass re-enlistment ceremony. Approximately $2.4 million in Selective Re-enlistment Bonus' (SRB) were awarded to re-enlisting Sailors. The benefits are not taxable, as the ship is currently operating in the 5th Fleet area of operations, and combat zone tax exclusion applies. Sailors also received other perks, such as special liberty, 30 days of duty exemption and head-of-the-line privileges.U underway in the North Arabian Sea from 6 to 18 October 2008 and the Indian Ocean from 19 to 24 October 2008, visiting Port Kelang, Malaysia from 25 to 31 October 2008, during which time Commander Carrier Strike Group 7 (CCSG 7) held a change of command ceremony aboard Ronald Reagan Oct. 27. Rear Adm. Scott Hebner took command of CCSG 7 from Rear Adm. James P. Wisecup, who will take command as the president of the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 ships USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Decatur (DDG 73) participated in a bilateral exercise with a Royal Thai Navy ship off the coast of Phuket, Thailand Nov. 1. Officers from the guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville and the guided-missile destroyer Decatur carried out seamanship maneuvers with HTMS Chaopraya, the participating ship from Thailand's navy. Underway in the Western Pacific from 1 to 14 November 2008, concluding military operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) on the 14th. "The talented and dedicated Sailors of this strike group performed at the highest levels of excellence," said Rear Adm. Scott Hebner, commander of CSG-7. "I'm tremendously honored to sail with them all. U.S. Navy and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel coordinated efforts, forming an emergency response team to distribute immediate aid to stricken typhoon victims. Engineers from Ronald Reagan repaired two hospital generators, restoring electrical power. Air crews flew 332 sorties around Panay Island, delivering more than 519,000 pounds of vital supplies to typhoon victims.The strike group also participated in training exercise with key maritime partners. USS Howard participated in South East Asia Cooperation against Terrorism (SEACAT), training with the navies of Brunei, Singapore and the Republic of the Philippines in maritime security operations. Later, the strike group took part in Exercise Malabar 2008, a bilateral training exercise with the Indian Navy, improving the communications and coordination capabilities of the two navies as a dozen U.S. and Indian ships drilled in surface, air and subsurface training. Another key mission area for the Ronald Reagan Strike Group was engagement. While in 7th fleet, CSG-7 ships made port calls to Sasebo, Japan; Hong Kong; Busan, Republic of Korea; Guam; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand and Singapore. During the port visits, Sailors enjoyed tours, purchased souvenirs, tasted Asian cuisine and volunteered their time in various orphanages, schools and elderly care centers. "Ronald Reagan Sailors were models of ambassadorship at each and every stop we made. Our Sailors consider these port visits 'duty ashore' and performed these duties in an exemplary fashion, showing our friends around Asia the best America has to offer," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. Entering the U.S. 3rd Fleet Area of Responsibility, the ships of CSG-7 were underway in the Pacific from 15 to 16 November 2008, visiting Pearl Harbor, Hawaii from 17 to 18 November 2008 and upon departure conducted Tiger Cruise en route to San Diego. Calif. from 19 to 24 November 2008, returning to San Diego. Calif. on 25 November 2008. Her 4th deployment ended since her commission on what would be approximately the U. S. Navy's 792nd carrier FWFD.
http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12745#12745

The Ronald Reagan Strike Group is comprised of CCSG 7, CVW-14, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Howard (DDG 83) and the guided missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) and the fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (TAOE 7).

The squadrons of CVW-14 include the "Redcocks" of VFA-22, "Fist of the Fleet" of VFA-25, "Stingers" of VFA-113, "Eagles" of VFA-115, "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 30 and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.

A USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Sailor received a special visitor for Thanksgiving Nov. 27 while the ship is deployed in support of Operation Enduring freedom - her mother.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41165

USS Theodore Roosevelt (TR) (CVN 71) hosted Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command, Nov. 27-28 to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with the crew.

Petraeus, along with Commander 5th Fleet, Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, currently deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41164

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) departed Everett, Wa. on 1 December 2008 for a scheduled workup, conducting training and carrier qualifications.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) underway in the Eastern Pacific from 1 to 3 December 2008.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) arrived San Diego, California on 4 December 2008.

For the first time since 2004, USS Abraham Lincoln's (CVN 72) flight deck served as a training ground for student pilots flying the Navy's advanced jet training aircraft, the T-45 Goshawk, Dec. 10-13.

Student pilots assigned to Carrier Training Wing (CTW) 1 Training Squadrons (VT) 7 and 9, based in Meridian, Miss., and CTW 2 squadrons VT-21 and VT-22, based in Kingsville, Texas, flew aboard Dec. 10 for four days of initial carrier qualifications off the coast of southern California. For these new pilots, the arrested landings and catapult launches they completed aboard Lincoln are the culmination of many months of intense flight training.

"This is the first jet they've flown, and it's their first time on a carrier," said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Schadt, Chief of Naval Air Training's (CNATRA) senior landing signal officer (LSO). "They've spent the last 10 months learning to fly the T-45 and before that they flew T-34s (a propeller driven trainer) for up to 10 months. This is one of the last things they'll have to do before they go to a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) and learn to fly their assigned aircraft."
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41423

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) assisted in a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) from a Liberian-flagged merchant ship Dec. 13, nearly 300 miles off the coast of Southern California.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41468

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) off the coast of Southern California from 5 to 16 December 2008.

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) underway in the Eastern Pacific from 16 to 17 December 2008.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) returned to Everett on 17 December 2008.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) underway in the North Arabian Sea from 19 November to 23 December 2008, President Hamid Karzai, of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, made his first visit to a U.S. aircraft carrier aboard TR in December.

On 23 December 2008, USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) moved from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding to Norfolk Naval Station for commissioning on Jan. 10, 2009.

USS Enterprise (CVN 65) was among the commands named to receive the 2008 Golden Anchor award for retention excellence in a Navy message released Dec. 23. The award is the result of collaborative efforts between Big E's Command Career Counselor's Office and all departmental career counselors.
http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41795

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) made a port visit in the Middle East to Jebel Ali, U.A.E from 24 to 27 December 2008.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) underway in the North Arabian Sea on 28 December 2008.
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U. S. Navy Veteran
August 1977 to July 1983

Yoeman Second Class,
with student pilot's license