Families await the homecoming of Carrier Air Wing 17 squadrons after nearly a 10-month deployment.
KMJ News spoke to Jennifer, whose husband Josh is a Hornet pilot, she and her children 5 1/2 year old Ellen, and 3 year old Conrad made a sign on their home that reads: “Welcome Home Daddy”.
Some 700 Sailors from three strike fighter squadrons (VFA) and Fleet Readiness Center’s Sea Operations Detachment will return to Naval Air Station Lemoore Wednesday, June 3, and Thursday, June 4, following a nearly 10-month deployment aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
The pilots, naval flight officers, and F/A-18 aircraft of VFA-22’s “Redcocks,” VFA-94’s “Mighty Shrikes,” and VFA-113’s “Stingers,” will return to NAS Lemoore Wednesday, June 3, beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m.
The remainder of the squadron members will arrive at NAS Lemoore aboard Navy passenger aircraft on Thursday, June 4, beginning at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Over the course of the deployment, supporting strike operations in Iraq and Syria, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 successfully flew 12,300 sorties, including 2,382 combat missions and dropped more than a half a million pounds of ordnance against ISIS.
– Participated in exercise Valiant Shield, a nine-day joint air, land and sea cooperation training between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army to develop tactics techniques and procedures in a joint environment in waters near Guam.
– In May, the Vinson CSG participated in a bi-lateral training event with Malaysian military air and surface units.
– Operated in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations for six months in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, performing strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts in the region.
– Sailed over 75,000 nautical miles.
– Engaged in 2,382 combat missions
– Welcomed 80 babies
USS Carl Vinson left its homeport of San Diego, Calif., Aug. 22, 2014.
