CVN-75 USS Harry S. Truman

CVN-75 USS Harry S. Truman - The Buck Stops Here

Author: Paul Tiller
Photography: Author

It’s been a while since a US Navy aircraft carrier made a port call in the UK. So, when the USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) arrived in Portsmouth on April 6th 2005 for a five day visit, a trip to see the carrier and the embarked air wing had to be made.

On March 19th the USS Harry S Truman, together with the other elements of the strike group the USS Mason (DDG-87), USS Barry (DDG-52), USS Monterey (CG-61), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), USS Albuquerque (SSN-706) and Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) completed a six month deployment in the Persian Gulf in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom” (OIF) and the undertaking of Maritime Support Operations (MSO). MSO establishes stability and security in the maritime environment and increases the pressure on those who use maritime methods for illegal purposes thus making MSO very effective against those who use this environment for terrorist activities.

The UK visit of the Truman was a last minute change of plan – originally the intentions had been to make a port visit to Cape Town, South Africa but due to administrational complications the visit had to be aborted. With the Truman having made previous port visits in Bahrain and Dubai, the UK port visit was the last opportunity for the crew to enjoy some well earned shore leave before heading home to Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia.

CVW-3 comprises eight squadrons – seven navy squadrons and one Marine Corps squadron - which, when called upon, provide a formidable strike force. These squadrons were: VF-32 “Swordsmen” with F-14Bs, VFA-37 “Bulls” with F/A-18Cs, VFA-105 “Gunslingers” with F/A-18Cs, VAW-126 “Seahawks” with E-2Cs, VAQ-130 “Zappers” with EA-6Bs, VS-22 “Checkmates” with S-3Bs, HS-7 “Dusty Dogs” with SH-60F/HH-60Hs and VMFA-115 “Silver Eagles” with F/A-18A+s. Each squadron had painted at least one aircraft in a high-colour scheme and these aircraft are usually assigned to the relevant squadron commander and executive officer. The US Marine Corps squadrons are now integral parts of carrier air wings and are regularly embarked on the aircraft carriers where they play a vital operational role alongside their Navy counterparts. Two C-2A Greyhound aircraft of VRC-40 “Rawhides” det.5 were also onboard; these aircraft provide Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) duties, regularly flying to and from shore bases to drop off or collect personnel as well as cargo support to the carrier. During their six month deployment, the squadrons of CVW-3 were regularly involved in supporting US and Coalition ground forces in Iraq and flew a total of 2,577 sorties amassing approximately 13,000 hours flight time.

For VF-32 “Swordsmen”, flying the Grumman F-14B Tomcat, this was their final cruise with this aircraft type. They returned to NAS Oceana where they ended Tomcat operations in October 2005 and begun the transition to the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. VF-32 uses the call-sign “Gypsy” so it was fitting for all the aircraft to carry the inscription of “Final Gypsy Roll – 32 Years of Tomcats” as well as additional nose art depicting a victorious American swordsman with the words “Deus et Patria” (God and Fatherland) above it. For many UK aviation enthusiasts, the Tomcat has been held in high-esteem and is probably the one aircraft that many would like to see at a UK air show, unfortunately for the Tomcats of VF-32 they would be the last Tomcats to be seen in the UK. By the end of 2006 all remaining Tomcats will have been retired from active service with the US Navy, many being scrapped whilst others will go to museums or be preserved at military bases.

Another squadron, VS-22 “Checkmates”, and their S-3B Viking aircraft had also deployed with CVW-3 and the USS Harry S Truman for the last time; the squadron will transfer from CVW-3 and be re-assigned to CVW-17. During their deployment VS-22 flew 1,170 sorties and 3,220 hours in support of OIF, patrolling the oil infrastructure in the Arabian Gulf during Operation Sea Dragon II missions. VS-22 are expected to stay with CVW-17 until 2009, when the command will be disestablished making thus making VS-22 the last S-3B squadron in the fleet.

The Truman was called into action at the beginning of September 2005, when it would undertake a very different role because of Hurricane Katrina. The US Gulf Coast coastlines of the states of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi had all suffered catastrophic damage when Hurricane Katrina hit land. New Orleans had borne the brunt of the ferocity of the hurricane and the city was devastated, the levies were breached and the city and 100 mile surrounding area heavily flooded. The US government declared a national emergency and initiated a massive humanitarian aid and relief programme. The Truman was to serve as a command centre and an afloat staging base, no carrier air wing would be embarked as an expected 30-40 helicopters, US Navy SH-60F, HH-60H and SH-60B Seahawks and US Army UH-60 Blackhawk’s, would use the carrier to support search-and-rescue operations. The Truman received 1.3 million gallons of jet fuel for the helos, 20,000 bottles of water, more than 17,000 meals as well as blankets, sheets and cots. The carrier was anchored 50 miles off the coast of Mobile, Alabama whilst relief operations were conducted and remained there for approximately three weeks before finally returning to Norfolk Naval Base, Va on 22nd September 2005.

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With grateful thanks to Anton Hanney, Royal Navy Press Office Portsmouth; Chief Eric Harrison, Public Affairs Officer USS Harry S. Truman; Lt. Cmdr. Elissa Smith, Public Affairs Officer USS Harry S. Truman; Lt. Cmdr. Terrence Dudley, US Navy Public Affairs; Petty Officer Daniels, US Navy Public Affairs for making this visit possible and to the crew of the USS Harry S. Truman for their hospitality.