May 2, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Newsletter Edition

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle

An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the Thunderbolts of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, takes off from the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during the first sorties of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo by MCSN Brian G. Reynolds)

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 began flying the first combat sorties of this deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) May 1. During OEF operations, the Navy and Marine Corps air assets aboard Enterprise will provide direct support for coalition forces in Afghanistan. This support includes close-air support, electronic warfare, airborne command and control and reconnaissance capabilities in support of the U.S. mission in the region. In Afghanistan, this mission is to degrade terrorist activities, diminish the Taliban’s influence and help develop security, which leads to stability and economic prosperity. Months of preparation have gone into preparing for this mission and CVW-1 is ready to join coalition forces already in the region. “We’ll be effective because we’re part of a much larger team,” said Capt. Jeffrey L. Trent, Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1. “We’re part of an international coalition that is here to help bring security and stability to Afghanistan, and

we’re on-call, ready to execute commander’s intent whenever called.” Enterprise joins the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the region. Thus far, Lincoln has flown more than 1,400 sorties, totaling more than 8,700 flight hours in support of coalition efforts in Afghanistan. Over the course of May 1, their first day supporting OEF, CVW-1 aircraft flew 29 sorties. According to Trent, the number of sorties flown on the first day will be the standard throughout much of the time CVW-1 is supporting OEF. “That will be a very standard number,” said Trent. “This is a marathon. We’re going to be here for a number of months and we’re in it for the long haul and getting jets on and off the deck is no easy task.” Accomplishing this task falls on shoulders of the Sailors and Marines

working aboard Enterprise each and every day as the carrier continues its deployment. “It’s not just the airplanes flying. It’s the

Sailors and Marines working on the flight deck, it’s the men and women working in the engineering plant, and those working everywhere in between, that support this mission,” said Trent. “And it’s hard work. Therefore, you’re going to see 29 (sorties) plus or minus a few, because we need to sustain (this tempo). Could we sustain more? Certainly we could. But, we’re in it for the long haul.” When a U.S. aircraft carrier provides support to OEF efforts, as Enterprise began doing May 1, they typically fly approximately 170 sorties per week. Since 2009, U.S. Navy aircraft have averaged about 5,000 close-air support missions per year in support of OEF. As they did in 2011, Enterprise and CVW-1 will directly contribute to that total in 2012. During last year’s deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Enterprise and CVW-1 also directly supported OEF and ground forces. In May 2011, CVW-1 aircraft totaled than 1,450 combat sorties.

Enterprise, CVW-1 Support Operation Enduring FreedomStory by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Smith

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Wednesday, May 2, 2012Page 2

The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65.navy.mil.

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler

Executive OfficerCapt. G. C. Huffman

Commanding OfficerCapt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.

EditorsMC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover

MCSN Harry GordonMCSN Brian G. Reynolds

The Shuttle

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Command Master ChiefABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young

Big E’s Newest CWO2The Shuttle

Do you have a loved one who will be graduating while we are deployed?

Media Department would like to help you produce a personalized video “shout-out” for use at the graduation event or simply for family members to watch at home.

If interested, please contact MC2(SW) Robert Guerra via e-mail or visit SITE TV to schedule a production meeting and time. Please allow no less than 14 days before the event to allow for production and transmission time.

It’s Graduation Season for the Class of 2012!

Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Damian R. Donald is commissioned to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Two in a ceremony aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Donald’s son, Master-at-Arms Seaman Caleb Donald, and Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Gregg Erwin removed the chief petty officer collar devices and replaced them with the CWO2 devices. Donald’s son also rendered the first salute. (Photos by MCSN Harry Andrew D. Gordon)

Wednesday, May 2, 2012 Page 3The Shuttle

In the News

WASHINGTON — A year ago, U.S. Navy SEALs slipped into a heavily fortified compound in Pakistan and killed the face of international terrorism. There is a growing fear, however, that Osama bin Laden’s death didn’t even seriously wound the international terror threat. This past decade — as al-Qaida’s core leadership was hunted, scattered and disrupted in Afghanistan and Pakistan — a number of sympathetic groups and individuals sprang up around the world. In the year since his death, their importance in this shadow world has grown. Richard Fadden, the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, said that this many-headed beast is expected to strike more and more frequently in coming years, and he cited the difficulty of identifying “lone wolf” terrorists — small groups or individuals who self-radicalize. “It’s not easy,” he told a Canadian Senate committee last week. “These individuals seem to be a mix of terrorists and people who simply have very big personal problems.” An unexpected example emerged in a Norwegian courtroom: Anders Behring Breivik, the anti-immigration nationalist on trial for the murders of 77 people, admitted that he closely studied al-Qaida’s methods. He called the group “the most successful revolutionary movement in the world.” Anti-terror experts see the al-Qaida influence extending even as the core of the organization is thought to be down to an estimated 100 or fewer followers in its traditional home of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s ungoverned tribal areas. A Pentagon spokesman said that even that estimate could overshoot the total number who sleep in Afghanistan on any given night, which might be no more than a few dozen.

Terrorism A Many-Headed BeastBy Matthew Schofield, MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

Throughout the world, offshoot groups have adopted the al-Qaida label. They’ve pledged cooperation, shared money and weapons, often trained together or advised each other on al-Qaida methods, and shared both strict Islamist roots and a fervent hatred for the West. Rather than waiting for orders from above, these groups act first, then give credit to the mother organization, which in turn often offers praise that bolsters the affiliate group’s standing. U.S. and international forces have battled al-Qaida in Iraq for years, and AQI is thought to be trying to make inroads in the uprising against President Bashir Assad in neighboring Syria. Experts said that five other such groups are considered the most dangerous, or the most capable: al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, based in Yemen; al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, based in Algeria and Mali; Lashkar-e-Taiba of Pakistan; al-Shabaab of Somalia; and Boko Haram, a relatively young Nigerian militancy. They organize on the Web and use social media to communicate and recruit. They’re in contact with each other, offering advice, money, weapons and planning. They’ve been involved in attempted attacks in New York’s Times Square and aboard a Detroit-bound jetliner, as well as assaults in London, Mumbai and Fort Hood, Texas. The groups appear to have direct ties to al-Qaida’s central organization. One AQAP founder was close to bin Laden. President Barack Obama called them “al-Qaida’s most active operational affiliate.” As such, they are hunted. An airstrike this month in northeastern Yemen killed Mohammed Saeed al-Um-da, considered an original member and leader of AQAP. The source of the strike was unclear, but U.S. and Yemeni forces cooperate closely on counterterrorism.

“(During this deployment) we get to capitalize on all that experience and all that readiness (gained last year),” said Trent. “We obviously bring in a cadre of new aviators. However, training is happening every flight and every event we do, because we do have that recent experience…it’s definitely an advantage having just been here.” Enterprise and CVW-1 will not be the only Navy assets supporting operations in Afghanistan during the carrier’s historic final deployment, however. Sailors serve throughout all 34 Afghan provinces and in the six Navy-led Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), promoting governance, enhancing security for all

Afghans, and aiding in reconstruction efforts. CVW-1 is comprised of the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, the Checkmates of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, the Knighthawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, the Thunderbolts of Marine Attack Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 251, the Rooks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, the Screwtops of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, and the Dragonslayers of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 11. Enterprise is on its 22nd and final deployment, deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, conducting maritime security operation efforts and missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

OEF continued

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Big E Entertainment

ADAN Cesar Thompson, from Clarksville, Tenn., joined the Navy one year and two months ago to provide himself career opportunities. In his spare time, Thompson enjoys working out. He hopes to earn the opportunity to enter the BUDS program and start a family in the future.

Aviation Machinist’s Mate AirmanCesar Thompson

Sailors of the Day

LSSN John Lowell, from Logan, N.J., joined the Navy two and a half years ago to serve his country and better himself. Lowell enjoys reading, playing video games and listening to music. In the future, he hopes to advance in rank and earn a degree.

Logistics Specialist SeamanJohn M. Lowell