Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England takes an opportunity to administer the Oath of Enlistment for several Sailors assigned to the guided missile cruiser USS Yorktown (CG 48) during a visit to speak with members of the crew. -Photo by PH1 Bart A. Bauer

SECNAV Visits HSL-42 In Gulf

From HSL-42

Two HSL-42 Sailors received a special visit from Secretary of the Navy Gordon England while embarked as part of HSL-42 Detachment 2 in USS Yorktown (CG 48).

AW2(AW) Blake Fenske and AE2(AW) James Hunton were honored as the Secretary reenlisted them along with three other Yorktown Sailors.

Both Sailors were able to take advantage of the tax-free selective reenlistment bonus and elected to serve in the Navy for another term.

The visit also allowed the Secretary of the Navy to express his appreciation to the Sailors executing Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as the Global War on Terrorism. He spoke with the crew, thanking the Sailors and their families for their service.

The Secretary's words were heartfelt due to the recent anti-coalition attack on the Iraqi oil terminals that the Proud Warriors and almost 400 additional Sailors of the Yorktown crew and other coalition maritime forces are guarding. Fortunately, coalition and Iraqi security forces thwarted the attacks although not before the tragic loss of two U.S. Navy Sailors and one Coast Guardsman - killed during the attacks.

All the reenlistees reaffirmed their commitment to support, defend and bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, as well as to obey the orders of the President. The ceremony was attended by almost all of Yorktown's crew, but none were more proud than the Warriors of HSL-42 Detachment Two.

The Secretary of the Navy manages and controls more than 250 ships and bases around the world. Through The Secretary's visit and tour, the crew gained a sense that their current mission in the North Arabian Gulf is of the highest importance to America's national security and the rebuilding of Iraq.

The HSL-42 Det Two ''Bad Boys'' is led by Lt. Cmdr. Eric Vosler.