Norfolk, Virginia - USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) successfully completed its five-day fast cruise, March 25, in another step toward returning to sea for the first time since July 2017.
"The crew performed magnificently," said Capt. Kyle Higgins, Ike's commanding officer. "Fast Cruise brought nearly 3,000 Sailors together for the first time in a long time, and demonstrated they can pull together and operate as one. I'm honored to be here and be a part of this extraordinary team. I could not be more proud of our Sailors and all the work they did -- as a family -- to get to this point."
The training was held to assess the ship's mission readiness through a series of drills and emergency scenarios the crew may encounter while at sea.
During fast cruise, Ike’s Sailors, who operated the ship 24 hours a day, were tested by ongoing exercises to simulate transiting the Atlantic Ocean. Evolutions included simulated flight operations, man overboard and a variety of general quarters drills.
"Throughout this fast cruise the crew conducted various events including ordnance movement, flight deck drills and catapult no-loads,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Dan Luna, a member of Ike’s training department. “We put a lot of effort into ensuring that we train how we fight so whenever something happens, muscle memory takes over.”
The cruise was the last hurdle necessary for Ike to conduct sea trials. Once sea trials are complete, the crew will return to their homeport in Naval Station Norfolk, where they will continue to prepare for an upcoming deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10.
Carrier Strike Group 10, also known as the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, includes the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D, Eisenhower (CVN 69), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Monterey (CG 61), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the ships and staff of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26; and the squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) successfully completed its five-day fast cruise, March 25, in another step toward returning to sea for the first time since July 2017.
"The crew performed magnificently," said Capt. Kyle Higgins, Ike's commanding officer. "Fast Cruise brought nearly 3,000 Sailors together for the first time in a long time, and demonstrated they can pull together and operate as one. I'm honored to be here and be a part of this extraordinary team. I could not be more proud of our Sailors and all the work they did -- as a family -- to get to this point."
The training was held to assess the ship's mission readiness through a series of drills and emergency scenarios the crew may encounter while at sea.
During fast cruise, Ike’s Sailors, who operated the ship 24 hours a day, were tested by ongoing exercises to simulate transiting the Atlantic Ocean. Evolutions included simulated flight operations, man overboard and a variety of general quarters drills.
"Throughout this fast cruise the crew conducted various events including ordnance movement, flight deck drills and catapult no-loads,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Dan Luna, a member of Ike’s training department. “We put a lot of effort into ensuring that we train how we fight so whenever something happens, muscle memory takes over.”
The cruise was the last hurdle necessary for Ike to conduct sea trials. Once sea trials are complete, the crew will return to their homeport in Naval Station Norfolk, where they will continue to prepare for an upcoming deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10.
Carrier Strike Group 10, also known as the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, includes the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D, Eisenhower (CVN 69), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Monterey (CG 61), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the ships and staff of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26; and the squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) successfully completed its five-day fast cruise, March 25, in another step toward returning to sea for the first time since July 2017.
"The crew performed magnificently," said Capt. Kyle Higgins, Ike's commanding officer. "Fast Cruise brought nearly 3,000 Sailors together for the first time in a long time, and demonstrated they can pull together and operate as one. I'm honored to be here and be a part of this extraordinary team. I could not be more proud of our Sailors and all the work they did -- as a family -- to get to this point."
The training was held to assess the ship's mission readiness through a series of drills and emergency scenarios the crew may encounter while at sea.
During fast cruise, Ike’s Sailors, who operated the ship 24 hours a day, were tested by ongoing exercises to simulate transiting the Atlantic Ocean. Evolutions included simulated flight operations, man overboard and a variety of general quarters drills.
"Throughout this fast cruise the crew conducted various events including ordnance movement, flight deck drills and catapult no-loads,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Dan Luna, a member of Ike’s training department. “We put a lot of effort into ensuring that we train how we fight so whenever something happens, muscle memory takes over.”
The cruise was the last hurdle necessary for Ike to conduct sea trials. Once sea trials are complete, the crew will return to their homeport in Naval Station Norfolk, where they will continue to prepare for an upcoming deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10.
Carrier Strike Group 10, also known as the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, includes the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D, Eisenhower (CVN 69), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Monterey (CG 61), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the ships and staff of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26; and the squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3.
