Navy Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Petty Officer First Class Paris S. Pough, 40, of Columbus, Ga. died Feb. 17, during a port visit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Pough, a hull technician, was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), home-ported in San Diego, Calif.

For further information related to this release, contact Cmdr. Amy Derrick-Frost at 011-973-1785-4561.

Carl Vinson Conducts Second OEF Mission in 12 Months

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lori D. Bent, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 Sailors began conducting air missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Jan. 14.

To mark the beginning of their current U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) operations, Carl Vinson and CVW-17 safely launched 58 scheduled combat sorties.

"We are doing our first sets of mission for troops on the ground," said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class (AW) Kyle Pierce, Operations Department's, communications division air operations supervisor and departure controller. "We have to be on the top of our game to be there for the people who need us."

Carl Vinson and CVW-17 spent months performing work ups to train, man and equip the CSG prior to it deploying to the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

"Our main objective is safe departure and recovery of aircraft so they can successfully carry out their mission," said Cmdr. Brian Flick, Air Operations officer. "We are proud to be able to support OEF.

During Vinson's previous deployment to the AOR in 2011, the crew spent 95 days engaged in maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, and flew 1,656 combat sorties in support of operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

Carl Vinson and Carrier Strike Group 1 arrived on station in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 9, to relieve Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Carl Vinson is deployed with guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97).

CVW-17 is comprised of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, VFA-25, VFA-81, VFA-113; Electronic Attack Squadron 134, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 15.

US Navy, International Forces Respond to Piracy Attack

From U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS BUNKER HILL, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) boarded a suspected pirate vessel in cooperation with international forces while responding to a distress call May 5.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization received a distress call from the Panamanian-flagged merchant vessel Full City and passed the information to U.S. 5th Fleet.

An Indian maritime patrol aircraft was able to locate the vessel and communicate with its crew, which had locked themselves in a secure space from which they could control the ship, known as a 'citadel.'

Bunker Hill and aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) were the closest naval vessels to the Full City and set course to intercept. The Turkish ship Giresun, part of NATO's counter piracy operation Ocean Shield, also responded.

While Giresun boarded Full City, Bunker Hill approached a dhow in the area believed to be the 'mothership' for the pirate attack. An SH 60 Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49, deployed with Bunker Hill, fired warning shots to stop the dhow and instructed the suspected pirates to move to the bow of the vessel. In the early evening, a visit board, search and seizure team from Bunker Hill boarded the suspected pirate dhow.

The team found and destroyed paraphernalia on the dhow, including weapons, excessive fuel and other equipment commonly used in the commission of acts of piracy. They also sank a small skiff towed by the dhow; these skiffs are often used for actual attacks and boardings by pirates.

"All hands should take pride in what they accomplished today. Under ambiguous conditions, you responded very professionally, quickly and successfully," said Capt. Dominic DeScisciolo, Bunker Hill's commanding officer.

Giresun found Full City's crew safe with no pirates on board the vessel.

"This operation demonstrated that our presence here successfully deters destabilizing activities and is effective in upholding lawful maritime order. The versatility inherent to a carrier strike group allowed for quick coordination with naval and Coast Guard assets from Turkey and India to successfully prevent a pirate attack against the motor vessel Full City," said Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, commander, Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group.

Bunker Hill and Carl Vinson are on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.

Bin Laden Buried at Sea, Official Says

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2011 – Osama bin Laden received a Muslim ceremony as he was buried at sea, a senior defense official said here today.

The religious rites were performed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the North Arabian Sea, the official said, speaking on background, and occurred within 24 hours of the terrorist leader’s death.

“Preparations for at-sea [burial] began at 1:10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and were completed at 2 a.m.,” the official said.

The burial followed traditional Muslim burial customs, the official said, and bin Laden’s body was washed and placed in a white sheet.

“The body was placed in a weighted bag. A military officer read prepared religious remarks, which were translated into Arabic by a native speaker,” the official added.

Afterward, Bin Laden’s body was placed onto a flat board, which was then elevated upward on one side and the body slid off into the sea.

The deceased terrorist was buried at sea because no country would accept bin Laden’s remains, a senior defense official said.

CIA and Defense Department officials are sure it was the body of bin Laden. CIA specialists compared photos of the body with known photos of bin Laden and said with 95-percent certainty it was the terrorist leader, a senior intelligence official said.

In addition, the intelligence official said, bin Laden’s wife identified the al-Qaida leader by name while the strike team was still in the compound.

CIA and other specialists in the intelligence community “performed the initial DNA analysis matching a virtually 100-percent DNA match of the body against the DNA of several of bin Laden’s family members,” the official added.

USS Higgins

ARABIAN SEA (April 6, 2011) The Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) is underway in rough seas. Higgins is deployed with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Alex T. Mabini/Released)

Training Key to Flightdeck Fire Outcome

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

NORTH ARABIAN SEA (NNS) -- An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 experienced an engine fire following a touch-and-go landing aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) April 11.

The pilot was able to execute a single-engine approach and land on board. Upon landing, the aircraft fuselage became engulfed in flames.

Carl Vinson's Crash and Salvage team, assigned to Air Department's V-1 Division, responded immediately with the P-25 mobile fire fighting vehicle along with the flight deck emergency hose team. The aircraft fire was extinguished using aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), and the pilot exited the plane uninjured. No flight deck personnel were injured in the mishap.

"It was amazing to sit back and see all of our training come into place," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Chief Benjamin Bilyeu, Crash and Salvage leading chief petty officer. "You can drill day-in and day-out but when the event happens, to actually see the training being as effective as it was, that was incredible and made me proud to be a Sailor on the Vinson."

Carl Vinson Commanding Officer, Capt. Bruce Lindsey, praised the pilot's performance during a challenging landing.

"The pilot executed his emergency procedures flawlessly and made an excellent landing under very difficult circumstances," Lindsey said. "His smart headwork in the cockpit is a testament to his superb training and prevented the loss of the aircraft at sea."

VFA 113 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 which is deployed with Carl Vinson. Carl Vinson and CVW-17 are on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations and Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113

ARABIAN SEA (April 12, 2011) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Kwadjo Ofosu, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, checks an AIM-9 Sidewinder on an F/A-18C Hornet before launch aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting maritime security operations and close-air support missions in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Timothy A. Hazel/Released)

F/A-183 Ordnance

ARABIAN GULF (April 5, 2011) Sailors assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 offload ordnance from an F/A-18E Super Hornet aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting maritime security operations and close-air support missions in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Timothy A. Hazel/Released)

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron

ARABIAN GULF (April 4, 2011) An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 approaches the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting maritime security operations and close-air support missions in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Timothy A. Hazel/Released)

DESRON 1

ARABIAN GULF (April 1, 2011) Lt. Eric Eckstrand, submarine operations officer assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, stands watch as assistant staff tactical action officer in the sea combat control room aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting maritime security operations and close-air support missions for Operation New Dawn in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher K. Hwang/Released)

Aviation Ordnance

ARABIAN GULF (March 31,2011) Aviation Ordnancemen assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 take ordnance off an F/A-18C Hornet aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are conducting maritime security operations and close-air support missions in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicolas C. Lopez/Released)