DEAN SENSUI /DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM
A crewman aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Nimitz supervised placement of lines as the ship docked at Pearl Harbor yesterday morning. The ship, headed for a possible war with Iraq, is part of a battle group that includes two cruisers, two destroyers, a frigate, an oiler and 8,500 sailors.
As Airman Josh Griffin faces the possibility of war on his first overseas deployment on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, he admits that he is "a little bit nervous and scared." Nimitz crew gets 4-day
break before Gulf dutyBy Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comGriffin, 22, has been in the Navy for only 14 months.
"I don't like it," said Griffin as he worked the deck chains securing a Super Hornet jet fighter to Nimitz's 4.5-acre flight deck, "but there's nothing I can do about ... it's my job and I've got to do it."
Yesterday, more than 8,000 sailors and aviators arrived at Pearl Harbor and Kahului to begin four days of leave before the Nimitz battle group heads out Saturday to join the massive military buildup in the Persian Gulf.
Twelve years ago, the Nimitz also played a role in the first Persian Gulf war when it relieved the USS Ranger.
Joining the Nimitz at Pearl Harbor are the cruiser USS Princeton and the destroyer USS Fitzgerald. Stopping over at Maui are the frigate USS Rodney Davis and the oiler USS Bridge. Once the battle group leaves Saturday, the Pearl Harbor-based cruiser USS Chosin, commanded by Capt. Richard Nolan, will be added to its lineup.
Capt. Robert Gilman, who has commanded the Nimitz since May, said Hawaii is the battle group's first stop after leaving San Diego on March 3.
The carrier conducted air operations near Hawaii for three days before pulling into Pearl Harbor, Gilman said. After leaving Pearl Harbor this weekend, the carrier will conduct another day of flight operations before regrouping and heading westward.
The 28-year-old Nimitz, the Navy's second nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is the first to be fully equipped with only Hornet and Super Hornet jet fighters.
Included in its array of 70 combat and support jets are 28 F-18 Super Hornets, the Navy's newest jet fighter.
Gilman said the Nimitz completed a three-year nuclear refueling and complex overhaul in 2001 in Newport News, Va., and after a series of shakedown cruises, exercises and inspections and is ready for its first deployment since 1997.
Besides a new combat weapons system and self-defense missiles, Gilman said there have been "tons and tons of electronic upgrades."
He described the morale of his crew as upbeat.
"They are proud. They are upbeat. They are ready because they watch the news, too ... they are very sharp people, but they are ready. Sure, there is anticipation, because of what is going on in the world today. But they are ready."
USS Nimitz
