This blog post was written on Friday, March 9, by Rear Admiral Ted Carter, Commander Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG 12), as the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) deploys on her 22nd and final deployment.
The Enterprise Strike Group
just wrapped up the last week of preparations, and our Sailors are
spending time with friends and family before we leave homeport Norfolk
for the last time in Enterprise history. March 11 will be historic in
many ways… It will be the 22nd deployment of this legendary
ship, but will also be a very prideful day to the Sailors and Marines
who will sail with her and for those who have served aboard her over her
50-year history.
We will sail Sunday with Sailors and Marines who will deploy for the
first time, but aboard the Big E, we are also blessed to sail with
Shipmates who have deployed many times before–some on the ship’s most
recent deployment and they have chosen to remain aboard to be a part of
bringing this ageless ship home one last time.
This deployment will not be a joy ride or a farewell world-cruise
tour. We know going in that Enterprise will finish strong doing what
she’s been doing for 50 years… Serving America’s interests abroad and ready to respond as needed for our Navy
and our Nation. Enterprise is headed to the fore of our nation’s effort
in promoting and protecting freedom with a proud heritage of success in
battle on the sea. We are taking this great ship forward one last time
to operate across the globe and provide our nation’s leadership the full
spectrum of sea-based options. If called upon, this Strike Group can
deliver modern, conventional and asymmetric capability for deterrence,
sea control, and power projection. Our goal- to deter aggression and
reassure our partners that we have the watch.
As warfighters, we are ready to fight and win. We’ve
trained hard, and are ready to respond to any mission we are called
upon to support. Your Navy and your Sailors and Marines are leaving this
Sunday to continue protecting the interconnected systems of trade,
information, and security that underpin American democratic principles
and promote global security and prosperity. This is quite a
responsibility, and you should all be very proud of all the Navy and
Marine Corps team of the Enterprise Strike Group who have
enthusiastically assumed this responsibility.
As servicemen and women, we are ready, both professionally and
personally. Our training has challenged us mentally and physically, and
we have the resources to only get stronger and better in the months
ahead. Whether it be honing our skills as aviators and mariners,
completing warfare qualifications, spending time in the gym, or taking
college classes – we will get better every day!
While serving our country is immensely fulfilling work, one of the
most difficult aspects of deployment isn’t the deployment itself, but
rather the impact it has on our families.
We could not do what we do everyday without the support of our
families and friends at home. Your sacrifices are often more challenging
than our own, but your support is so important to our success.
My charge to our Enterprise Strike Group Team – Keep the long view.
In the journey of life, this is just one small ocean we’ve chosen to
transit. We will learn great things about ourselves. We will forge
lasting bonds. We will all emerge stronger. We should embrace that we
are a part of something much greater than ourselves, yet we depend on
each other to achieve greatness. Your service to each other, your Navy
and your family reflect greatly upon your character and your commitment
to our Nation’s freedom.
To
our families and friends, keep in touch with your Sailors and Marines,
they will need your support as much as you need theirs. We will keep
our Facebook pages and blogs flowing with news from the ships and squadrons, and look forward to ‘seeing’ you there.
RDML Ted “Slapshot” Carter
Commander, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group
* Post publicat al Blog de la US Navy. Desitgem bona sort a la tripulació del llegendari USS Enterprise en el seu darrer desplegament.
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