Politics & Government

USS Carl Vinson Begins Support of Troops in Afghanistan

The aircraft carrier began to support Afghanistan military operations last weekend, the Navy announced Tuesday.

Sailors and aviators aboard the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson began flight operations in support of the military in Afghanistan over the weekend, the Navy announced Tuesday.

Carrier Air Wing 17 flew 58 missions on Saturday, according to Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lori Bent of the vessel's public affairs office.

"We are doing our first set of missions for troops on the ground," said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Kyle Pierce. "We have to be on the top of our game to be there for the people who need us."

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When the Carl Vinson was in the Middle East last year, it launched nearly 1,700 sorties in a period of about three months. The vessel was the one from which the body of Osama bin Laden was buried at sea in May 2011.

The aircraft carrier and its San Diego-based escorts, the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey, , the Navy said.

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- City News Service


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