USS Harry Truman (CVN 75) - Naval Cruise Book

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to preserving peace in I the region. The presence I of the HST battle group, including more than 70 combat aircraft from C VW- 3, eased the burden on allies while providing increased flexibility by dramatically reducing reaction time in a crisis. On Feb. 16, 2001, Team TRUMAN was called into action. In response to surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft. artillery fire against coalition forces enforcing United Nations Security Council resolutions, aircraft from C VW-3 took part in a sanctioned response and struck Iraqi integrated air defense system sites. Again in response to Iraqi violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions and international demarches in the Southern No-Fly Zone, Operation Southern Watch coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons April 19,2001 to strike a mobile early warning ,rada1gii1i.southemIraq. . ...., , ,p HiSTiqS partiqcipatisonginat Southern Watch concluded on April 27,120.0q1fTstif'lDuringq the TR UMAN ,tTeam's involvement ..... i n OSW, theair wing flew 869 Qcombilf. than2,700 flight hours. and traveling over 44,000 nautieal miles, Sailors and.Marines of HST completed the maiden voyage of the nation's newest nuclear powered aircraft carrier Just seven deployment another the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for its first Planned Sept. 5, 2001. During PIA, HST underwent improvements to the chill water supply system, flight operation support systems and almost all of the fuel tanks on board. A new air conditionin unit was also installed during this period g . On Feb. 7, 2002, HST completed its inaugural PIA period early and under budget marking a successful May 23,.2001. returning from its maiden period, HST y July 12. H R J J HST . experienced beginning to what will be a 50-year relationship between the ship and Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Following the successful PIA period, HST got underway again to participate in another round of carrier qualifications. In June, 2002, HST began training for its next deployment with Tailored Ship's Training Availability IXII. This underway period was highlighted by challenging training events including General Quarters drills, Close-In Weapons Systems shoots and mass casualty and reactor drills. The underway period also saw HST participating in a ceremony commemorating the turning point of the World War II fight against the Japanese, the Battle of Midway. HST conducted another round of carrier qualifications in July, 2002. Also in July, HST played host to Hollywood when Bruce Willis came aboard to film scenes for his newest action film, Tears ofthe Sun. In August of 2002, HST got underway again for Tailored Ship's Training Availability III and the carrier's final evaluation period. This was the conclusion of the basic training phase and offered the crew another opportunity to practice fighting as a unit. During the same underway period, at the beginning of Sept., HST began participation in its second COMPTUEX. Following the intense work-up cycle, USS HARRY S. TR UMAN I C VN 752 embarked on its final training phase. Operating off the coast of Florida T R UMAN participated in Joint Task Force Exercise CJTFEXJ, the ship's final evaluation. After successfuly completing the exercise. the crew enjoyed a port visit in Key West. TR UMAN embarked on its second delpoyment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Dec, 5, 2002. Tensions with Iraq were at an all-time high as the TR UMAN team prepared itself for the possibility of conflict with Iraq.