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By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Seth Scarlett
USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea – Forty-five civilian guests visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69, IKE), April 25, as part of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC), where they got the opportunity to see various aspects of the ship, meet with Sailors and view flight operations.
JCOC is sponsored by the Department of Defense and is the oldest military public affairs program, having been held more than 72 times since its inception in 1948.
JCOC is a weeklong journey covering 18,000 miles to introduce civilians to members of the armed forces who carry out military operations in Southwest Asia and the Horn of Africa.
After landing aboard IKE in a C-2 Greyhound Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) aircraft, the civilians ascended to IKE's hangar bay by way of aircraft elevator.
The participants then split into groups and were given a tour of the ship and the chance to eat lunch with IKE Sailors.
"It was great meeting the Sailors in person," said Kathleen Cox, community program development manager of the Wal-Mart Foundation. "I'm deeply appreciative of all the service and sacrifice I've seen."
Sailors also enjoyed the experience by getting to know the participants while sharing lunch with them.
"It was a great experience having lunch with the guests," said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Sharie Gardner. "They were very interested in what we're all about. I wish we could have spent more time with them."
The participants were also invited to IKE's flight deck to witness flight operations and see the aircraft in action.
"The flight operations were just incredible," said Denis Mcfarlane, chief executive officer of Infinitive. "Everyone seemed very well trained and knew exactly what they were doing. It's very impressive to be in the presence of more than 5,000 professionals."
The participants hoped to leave Sailors with the great sense of appreciation they have for the ship and her crew before and heading to their next stop.
"I was so impressed with the men and women running this ship," said Richard Karelitz, general counsel of the Kraft Group. "I wish more Americans could see what we saw today."
IKE is the flagship for the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which includes its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68), guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) and guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87).
The IKE CSG departed Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 3, for a regularly-scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations and entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations Oct. 30.
MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or as a transport for personnel, weapons or other material.
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 04.26.2007 07:30 |
| Story ID: | 10126 |
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| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 81 |
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