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GIVE 'EM HELL HARRY |
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A welcome visitor to the shores of the United Kingdom in early Spring 2005 was the United States Navy (USN) aircraft carrier, USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75), which made a brief stop in Stokes Bay, Portsmouth from April 4 to 10, 2005, whilst en route home from her recent Gulf deployment. Fighter Control’s Chief Photographic Editor, Rick Sleight reports from onboard. |
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Dropping Anchor: Arriving in the UK for the second time in just less than two years (having also been here from May 5 to 11, 2003) the USS Harry S Truman returned to Stokes Bay, Portsmouth on April 4, 2005, dropping anchor, to allow some of it’s approximate 5,700 strong crew, a well earned but brief period of rest and relaxation, whilst en route home to the USA. It was a last minute decision to visit the UK, as the original plan was to stop in South Africa but this was changed due to the South Africans wanting to inspect the carrier’s nuclear reactor, which the USN couldn’t allow. |
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| Operations: The Harry S Truman (HST) and Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) deployed to the Arabian Gulf, from Naval Base Norfolk, in Virginia, on October 13, 2004 to take over duties from the USS John F Kennedy (CV67) on November 20, 2004, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). HST and the Carrier Strike Group concluded direct support operations in support of OIF and Maritime Security Operations (MSO) on March 19, 2004, after being relieved of these duties by the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Gulf. |
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During this period CVW-3 launched a total of
2,577 sorties totalling almost 13,000 flying hours, in support
of OIF and MSO, also keeping a watchful eye on United
States and coalition forces in Iraq during the Jan 30, 2004 elections. |
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| End of An Era: During the deployment, CVW-3 witnessed the end of an era, with Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32), named ‘Swordsmen’, performing the final combat flight of their Grumman F-14 Tomcat. The Tomcat is currently in the twilight of its glittering United States Navy (USN) career and is currently being replaced by its successor, the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. VF-32 are due to replace their Tomcats towards the end of 2005 (although ‘Fighter Control’ were told by a VF-32 pilot during the visit, that there will still be some of their F-14s at the airshow at their shore base of Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia, in September 2005) and this was the final Tomcat cruise for VF-32, which has caused many ‘heavy hearts’ in the Squadron, although the crews appreciate that transitioning to the |
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Super Hornet is a necessary step forward for their mission. VF-32 has already begun the transition to the Super Hornet and they will join CVW-3 in Spring 2006. A total of ten F-14s were on board HST and all of them were parked on the flight deck during the carrier’s brief visit, which was welcomed by all those who saw her, |  |
| as this was undoubtedly the last time that there would be Tomcats present in the UK. The Tomcats were all marked with an inscription of ‘Final Gypsy Roll - 32 Years of Tomcats, which was apt, with the unit number being the same as the number of years of Tomcat Operations! The reference to Gypsy comes from the unit’s traditional call-sign being “Gypsy”. Each aircraft was adorned with nose art, which consisted of an American swordsman, depicted at the moment of victory, with the wording ‘Deus et Patria (God and Fatherland) above the depiction. VF-32’s history of Navy fast jets began in 1956 with the Vought F-8U Crusader, which saw VF-32 become the first supersonic squadron in the Navy. After nine years of service with the Crusader, they moved to the McDonell Douglas F-4B Phantom in 1965 and after another nine years of service, followed with transition to the F-14 in 1974. |
| Carrier Complement: Indeed, the aircraft carrier, which relieved the HST of duties in the Arabian Gulf, currently has the F/A-18F embarked. The F/A-18 Hornet is now the strike aircraft choice of the USN and three Hornet units were represented on the HST, with two from the USN and one from the United States Marines Corps (USMC). Strike Fighter Squadron 105 (VFA-105), named ‘Gunslingers’ and VFA-37, named ‘Ragin Bulls, both from their shore base at NAS Oceana in Virginia, represented the USN and Marines Fighter Attack Squadron 115 (VMFA-115), named ‘Silver eagles’, from their shore base at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, in South Carolina represented the USMC on board. A total of no less than 33 Hornets were on board, which in future will increase to over 40, with the addition of an F/A-18F Fighter Squadron in the near future. |
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Also embarked on HST were four Grumman EA-6B Prowlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 130, (VAQ-130), named ‘Zappers’, shore based at NAS Widbey Island in Washington. This is the oldest Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron in the USN and their unit name comes from their Zapper Dragon insignia. |  |
| The Commanders aircraft, serial number 162938, coded ‘AC 500’ was in high visibility (‘viz’) markings and had a large green painted Zapper Dragon adorning the tail fin, which can be seen in the lead photograph of this article. Prowlers are responsible for leading all Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) missions, using their High Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) and are normally the first aircraft to cross into enemy airspace, accompanied by fighter escort. |
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The Truman’s helicopter support was provided by seven Sikorsky H-60 Sea Hawks, with four SH-60Fs and three HH-60Hs from Helicopter Anti Submarine Squadron 7 (HS-7), shore based at NAS Jacksonville in Florida. This unit is named ‘Dusty Dogs’ and the Commander’s aircraft, serial number 165123, coded ‘AC-615’ was painted in high ‘viz’ markings and carried an interesting piece of artwork, from Operation Iraqi Freedom, which included a Union Jack and angry looking ‘mut’, not unlike our own British Bullodg! HS-7 are primarily tasked with Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) with their SH-60Fs and Search and Rescue (SAR) with their HH-60Hs. |  |
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Providing long range airborne early warning, in defence
of the Carrier Battle Group, were four Grumman E-2 Hawkeyes
from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126, (VAW-126),
named ‘Seahawks’, shore based at NAS
Norfolk,
in Virginia.
Airborne tanker, air refueling support was provided by no less than eight Lockheed S-3B Vikings from Sea Control Squadron 22, (VS-22), named ‘Checkmates’ from the Sea Control Wing, at NAS Jacksonville in Florida. In addition to tanker support, the S-3Bs also support round the clock surveillance, search and rescue support, electronic countermeasures and command and communications warfare. Each aircraft also had the name “Vidars” painted on their under wing fuel tanks, which relates to their tactical radio call-sign of “Vidar”. Finally, the last of the carriers complement of 68 aircraft
consisted of two Grumman C-2A Greyhound aircraft from Fleet
Logistics Support Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40) detachment
number 5, named ‘Rawhides’, from NAS
Norfolk in Virginia. Their primary role is to provide the carrier
with a means of transporting personnel and cargo to and
from the carrier. |
| Aircraft present on board were as follows; |
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| VF-32 ‘Swordsmen’ 162916 AC-100 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat High Viz Markings 161860 AC-101 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat 162692 AC-102 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat 162915 AC-103 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat 163410 AC-104 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat 163216 AC-105 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat 163224 AC-107 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat 162703 AC-110 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat 161428 AC-111 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat 161424 AC-114 USN/VF-32/'Swordsmen' F-14B Tomcat |
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| VMFA-115 ‘Silver Eagles’ 163133 AC-200 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet High Viz Markings 163131 AC-201 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet 163137 AC-202 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet 163174 AC-203 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet Below Deck 163142 AC-204 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet 163171 AC-205 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet 163168 AC-206 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet Below Deck 163155 AC-207 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet 163156 AC-210 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet Below Deck 163158 AC-211 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet Below Deck 163167 AC-212 USMC/VMFA-115/'Silver Eagles' F/A-18A+ Hornet |
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| VFA-37 ‘Ragin Bulls’ 165181 AC-300 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet Below Deck, High Viz Markings 165177 AC-301 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet Below Deck, High Viz Markings 165183 AC-302 XO USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet 165199 AC-303 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet 165182 AC-304 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet 165179 AC-305 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet 165184 AC-306 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet 165203 AC-307 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet 165185 AC-310 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet Below Deck 165175 AC-311 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet 165176 AC-312 USN/VFA-37/'Ragin Bulls' F/A-18C Hornet |
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| VFA-105 ‘Gunslingers’ 164246 AC-400 CAG USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet High Viz Markings 164261 AC-401 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet Below Deck 164206 AC-402 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet 164243 AC-403 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet 164244 AC-404 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet 164252 AC-405 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet 164197 AC-406 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet 164253 AC-407 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet 164200 AC-410 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet Below Deck 164231 AC-411 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet 164215 AC-412 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet 164236 AC-413 USN/VFA-105/'Gunslingers' F/A-18C Hornet Below Deck |
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| VAQ-130 ‘Zappers’ 162938 AC-500 USN/VAQ-130/'Zappers' EA-6B Prowler High Viz Markings 163045 AC-501 USN/VAQ-130/'Zappers' EA-6B Prowler 158801 AC-502 USN/VAQ-130/'Zappers' EA-6B Prowler 158540 AC-503 USN/VAQ-130/'Zappers' EA-6B Prowler Below Deck |
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| VAW-126 ‘Seahawks’ 165507 AC-600 USN/VAW-126/'Seahawks' E-2C Hawkeye 165304 AC-601 USN/VAW-126/'Seahawks' E-2C Hawkeye 165508 AC-602 USN/VAW-126/'Seahawks' E-2C Hawkeye Below Deck 165302 AC-603 USN/VAW-126/'Seahawks' E-2C Hawkeye |
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| HS-7 ‘Dusty Dogs’ 164610 AC-610 USN/HS-7/'Dusty Dogs' SH-60F Seahawk Below Deck 164609 AC-611 USN/HS-7/'Dusty Dogs' SH-60F Seahawk 164612 AC-612 USN/HS-7/'Dusty Dogs' SH-60F Seahawk 164453 AC-614 USN/HS-7/'Dusty Dogs' SH-60F Seahawk 165123 AC-615 USN/HS-7/'Dusty Dogs' HH-60H Seahawk Below Deck, High Viz Markings 164845 AC-616 USN/HS-7/'Dusty Dogs' HH-60H Seahawk 165258 AC-617 USN/HS-7/'Dusty Dogs' HH-60H Seahawk |
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| VS-22 ‘Checkmates’ 159760 AC-700 USN/VS-22/'Checkmates' S-3B Viking High Viz Markings 160129 AC-701 USN/VS-22/'Checkmates' S-3B Viking 160145 AC-702 USN/VS-22/'Checkmates' S-3B Viking Below Deck 160124 AC-703 USN/VS-22/'Checkmates' S-3B Viking Below Deck 160599 AC-704 USN/VS-22/'Checkmates' S-3B Viking 160140 AC-705 USN/VS-22/'Checkmates' S-3B Viking 159741 AC-706 USN/VS-22/'Checkmates' S-3B Viking 159750 AC-707 USN/VS-22/'Checkmates' S-3B Viking Below Deck |
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VRC-40 Det.5 ‘Rawhides’ |
| Brief History: Commissioned on July 25, 1998, the USS Harry S. Truman was the ninth nuclear powered aircraft carrier and the eighth in the Nimitz class. She has a crew of approximately 5700 sailors (including the air wing) when deployed. The Truman's maiden voyage was on November 28, 2000 where she left the home port of Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia, for the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf. Since then, the Harry S. Truman has seen action in ‘Operation Southern Watch’ over Iraq in 2001 as well as Operations ‘Enduring Freedom’ and ‘Iraqi Freedom’ during 2003 and 2004-05, in support of the current global war on terrorism. Homeward Bound: |
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Deck Plan comes courtesy of
STEVIE TYE |
| Acknowledgements - With great thanks to Lieutenant Commander Terrence Dudley - USN Public Affairs Office, London, Petty Officer Daniels - USN Public Affairs Office, London, Chief Eric Harrison - Public Affairs Officer, USS Harry S. Truman, Lieutenant Commander Elissa Smith - Public Affairs Officer, USS Harry S. Truman, Anton Hanney - Royal Navy Press Office, Portsmouth and finally to the crew of the USS Harry S. Truman for their co-operation and assistance during my visit. |