The fast combat support ship USS Seattle (AOE 3) conducts an underway replenishment with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy and the guided missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) simultaneously in the Atlantic Ocean. Seattle and Vicksburg are part of the John F. Kennedy Strike Group, currently involved in a joint exercise, known as Combined Joint Task Force Exercise. The exercise allows all services and several countries to train the way they fight - in a joint environment. Photo by PH2(NAO/SW) Michael Sandberg

New Crew Takes JFK On Deployment

By PH3 Monica R. Nelson
From USS JFK Public Affairs

This summer, USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) is underway on a six-month cruise in support of the nation's freedom and to aid in the ongoing war in Iraq. A tall order to be sure, and one that has come to rest on the shoulders of almost an entirely new crew.

A majority of the crew from Kennedy's 2002 cruise has transferred out during its Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA), bringing in many first-enlistment Sailors, or first cruise Sailors.

A 10-month rehabilitation period and more than $300 million budget made ESRA the largest availability ever done outside a naval shipyard, and extended the cruise-to-cruise time to almost a full two years.

ACAN(AW) Kevin Lewis came to Kennedy in April 2003. Having joined the Navy right out of high school, Big John is his first command and first six-month deployment.

A Sailor assigned to the fast combat support ship USS Seattle (AOE 3) ''mans the rails'' as the ship gets underway for a regularly scheduled deployment as part of the USS John F. Kennedy Strike Group. Kennedy is one of seven aircraft carriers involved in Summer Pulse 2004. Summer Pulse 2004 is the simultaneous deployment of seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs), demonstrating the ability of the Navy to provide credible combat power across the globe, in five theaters with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces. Photo by PH2 Michael Sandberg

Dermott expressed his excitement about a six-month cruise namely because of the people he works with.

''They are so fun to be around,'' Dermott said.

However, he said he is also anticipating the experience he will get in his rate communicating with other aircrafts and ''exploring the other side of the world.''

CTR3 William Bayless Jr. said his biggest concern is staying healthy and clean, ''but I'm pretty excited about going to ports,'' he added.

MM3 Robert Hale lights-off a boiler in one main machinery room aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The boiler, one of eight on board the ship, provides the necessary steam to power nearly all major systems. Kennedy is one of only two conventionally powered aircraft carriers still active in the U.S. Navy. Staff photoPhoto by JOC Michael Breeden

Bayless' sea legs extend only as far as the last two-week underway took Kennedy, but he's not worried.

''It's too big to get seasick!'' he said.

Bayless plans to become dual qualified while underway and also to participate in the martial arts classes offered on board the carrier.