GHWB, CVW 7 Hold 9/11 Day of Remembrance

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Hillary Becke | 210911-N-FS190-1030 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sep. 11, 2021) Sailors assigned to Air Department aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) bow their heads during the call to prayer in remembrance of the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks. GHWB is operating in the Atlantic Ocean in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Hillary Becke)  

UNITED STATES

09.11.2021

Story by Seaman Bayley Foster 

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

ATLANTIC OCEAN – Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 – Team JACKPOT (777) – held a day of remembrance Sept. 11 for those who lost their lives 20 years ago during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Sailors throughout the ship observed four moments of silence during the morning at the time each airliner was lost in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. Later, the crew watched a video presentation featuring the oral histories from members of the ship’s Chief Petty Officers Mess who were in the Navy on 9/11 or enlisted as a result.
“While these attacks occurred twenty years ago, the threats we face as a nation are different but not gone. We will train hard to deploy to maintain freedom of the seas, deter aggression from our strategic competitors, and, if necessary, fight and win our nation’s wars,” said Capt. Robert Aguilar, the ship’s commanding officer in his message to the crew. “…I ask each of you to pause for a moment to honor those who died 20 years ago today. I also ask you to consider how your service today reflects your commitment to the Constitution and the country whose course it directs.”
Over the past 20 years, the Navy took steps to honor and remember the victims and families of 9/11. Most notably, perhaps, the Navy named three San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships after the locations where the airliners went down - USS New York (LPD 21), USS Arlington (LPD 24), and USS Somerset (LPD 25).
The final remembrance of the day was delivered by Commander, Carrier Air Wing 7. Under the leadership of Capt. Nathan Ballou, two F/A 18’s performed a missing man formation in honor of the victims and survivors of 9/11. The missing-man formation is a wedge-shaped formation of aircraft with the lead position left vacant to honor the fallen in a solemn remembrance.
“Today is a day for all of us to reflect on those who were lost, and to remember the oath we all take to the Constitution each day,” said Capt. Ballou. “It was an honor to be at sea as part of the FREEDOM FIGHTERS preparing to carry out our nation’s business on such an important day of remembrance in our nation’s history.”
The squadrons of CVW-7 are Strike Fighter Squadron 143 “Pukin’ Dogs,” Strike Fighter Squadron 103 “Jolly Rogers,” Strike Fighter Squadron 86 “Sidewinders,” Strike Fighter Squadron 136 “Knighthawks,” Electronic Attack Squadron 140 “Patriots,” Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 “Bluetails,” Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 “Nightdippers,” Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46 “Grandmasters.”
For more information about USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn77 and www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN77.
To learn more about Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvw7/

• Date Taken: 09.11.2021
• Date Posted: 09.12.2021 04:26
• Story ID: 405001
• Location: US