Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS Carl Vinson ' s Namesake Rep. Carl Vinson (D-GA.) 1883-1981 iy blvX Vinson was bom in Baldwin County, Ga., Nov. 18, 1883, the son of Edward S. and Ann Morris Vinson. He attended Georgia Military College in Milledgeville and graduated from Mercer University Law School with an LL.B. degree in 1902. Vinson began practice June 5 of that year. Rep. Vinson ' s appointment as Baldwin County Prosecutor in 1904 began a career of more than 60 consecutive years of public service. In 1909, he was elected to the Georgia General Assembly, serving there until 1912. He returned to Baldwin County in late 1912 to serve as County Court Judge. On Nov. 3, 1914, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to fill an unexpired term. He served in Congress for more than 50 years — the longest service of any House member in history. Titles such as Father of our Modem Navy and Aviation ' s Elder Statesman barely describe his contributions, for few others have done so much for the defense of their country. In first major speech on national defense, Rep. Vinson stated his conviction that the nation ' s military needs must be determined without partisan politcal pressure, and he predicted the growth of the world navies. In 1 9 1 7, his interest in sea power earned him a seat on the House Naval Affairs Committee. In 1931, he became chairman of that committee. As chairman, Rep.Vinson guided the passage in Congress of what was then the greatest program of national defense legislation in the peacetime history of the United States. Foremost was a naval construction bill which authorized expenditure of $55 million to bring American sea defense up to parity with the London Treaty. In 1947, when the Naval Affairs Committee and the MiUtary Affairs Committee were joined as the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Vinson became chairman of the new committee. Because of his strong control over naval shipbuilding programs. Rep. Vinson was known as The Admiral. When USS Carl Vinson was christened by the congressman ' s nurse and longtime friend, Molly Snead, March 15, 1980, Mr. Vinson was present, making him the first U.S. citizen to see the launching of a ship named in his honor. It is impossible for me to find words to express my gratitude for the high honor paid me here today, he wrote, in an undelivered statement. No event in my life, no event in my future, can ever equal this day. My cup runneth over. My star has reached its zenith.

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Main Mission of USS Carl Vinson is Readiness he primary mission ol USS Carl Vinson, one of the Navy ' s newest nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, is to he ready to employ its power anywhere in the world as directed by the President ' of the United States. Only by maintaining its equipment and personnel in the highest stale of readiness will the Carl Vinson be capable of carrying out its wide variety of missions including anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and electronic warfare. Other tasks that the Carl Vinson shares with most Navy ships include exercising mobility, replenishing ships at sea, assisting vessels in distress and the transport of refugees and other personnel. A significant portion of the aircraft carriers power resides in its embarked Carrier Air Wing, comprising a variety of aircraft squadrons. Each is made up of aircraft which contribute to the accomplishment of the missions assigned to the carrier. Ihe principal offensive striking power embarked in Carl Vinson is shared by two types of attack aircraft: the A-6E Intruder all-weather attack aircraft and the A-7E Corsair II light attack aircraft. One squadron of Intruders and two squadrons of Corsairs can perform long-range air-to-ground strike missions, interdiction of major communications routes, anti-surface warfare, and essential airborne refueling of other tactical jet aircraft. The primary air defense force for the Carl Vinson and its surface escort ships is provided by the E-2C Hawkeye - F-I4A Tomcat team. The Hawkeye gives long-range early warning of all approaching air contacts and then provides close radar control of K-l4A ' s to direct the interception, identification, and, if necessary, destruction of enemy targets. This team is tasked with maintaining a defensive barrier of several hundred milles around the carrier battle group and ensuring that no unknown air contacts are allowed to cross this barrier without positive identification. The F-I4A also provides after-attack photographic intelligence using a specially-equipped pod that can be carried under its wing. Ihe survivability of the Carl Vinson in a hostile environment is enhanced by two of the Navy ' s latest close-in anti-aircraft weapons. If any incoming aircraft or missiles penetrate the ship ' s fighter aircraft defensive envelope, they will find themselves facing the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System and the Phalanx Close-in Weapon System, a sophisticated version of the rotating-barrel Gatling gun. Airborne electronic defense is provided by a squadron of EA-68 Prowlers. Each aircraft is capable of intercepting and countering a variety of electronic signals and jamming surface-to-air radars to protect strike group aircraft. USS Carl Vinson has been constructed, fitted out, and manned to provide a ship capable of performing those missions deemed vital to our nation ' s interests by its leaders. With its embarked aircraft nearly 90 in a corriplete Air Wing the two clo.se-in anti-air weapons systems, and a spectrum of electronic decision-making, communications, navigation and electronic warfare devices, the Carl Vinson is oiie of the most powerful, self-contained, combat platforms in the world. Its nuclear power plant allows the Carl Vinson to travel for extended periods at speeds in excess of iO knots without the need to replenish propulsion fuel. Once on station, it can remain longer and fiy more missions than an oil-fired carrier due to its ability to carry aircraft fuel in tanks that would otherwise be devoted to ship ' s fuel in the conventional carrier. The integration of aircraft, electronics, and computer-based weapons systems on the Carl Vinson gives it the power to deploy concentric rings of protection against air, surface and subsurface threats. Its propulsion plant allows the ship to carry this power anywhere on the 75% of the globe covered by water, long-range strike aircraft can project this power far inland. However, the talents of flesh-and-blood sailors are the key. The dedication, professionalism and hard work of the officers and crew of the Carl Vinson will ensure the ship is ever ready to meet the challenges the future will hold.