NORFOLK, Va.- A 2005 Bucks County Technical High School graduate and Feasterville, Pennsylvania, native returned home June 16, marking the end of a seven-month deployment aboard USS Harry S. Truman. Since departing its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia in November 2019, the aircraft carrier sailed in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Lt. Gregory Stewart is a shooter aboard the carrier. As a shooter, Stewart is responsible for the safe launch and recovery of aircraft on the ship.
“Shooting the aircraft off the ship when we’re only four to five feet away from a fighter jet at full afterburner and feeling the power of that afterburner shake everything in you is amazing,” said Stewart. “Even more so, is seeing the amount of teamwork and expertise carried out by hundreds of people to make that jet or prop leave the deck safely is mesmerizing. It’s hard work and long days but to have a smile at the end of the day only to repeat it 8-10 hours later, makes it worth it.”
Following a scheduled return from deployment in March, after operating in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations, Truman remained underway in the Western Atlantic as a certified and ready carrier force ready for tasking. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, the Truman continued to conduct operations underway, minimizing the potential spread of the virus aboard the ships, in order to maintain maritime stability and security and ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
Truman sailed more than 56,000 nautical miles, deploying dynamically to support dual-carrier operations, air defense exercises, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and interoperability with joint services and with allies and partners. The ship also completed multiple strait and choke point transits, to include the Strait of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal and the Bab-el Mandeb Strait, while operating under three Combatant Commanders – U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), U.S. European Command (EUCOM), and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
“Personally for me, the accomplishment I gained from this deployment and over the entirety of this tour was the experience of being a division officer,” said Stewart. “Taking care of the needs of sailors in a large division is never ending but still rewarding when you’re able to get something done that might seem simple to someone on the outside but could be a life changer to that sailor.”
Truman demonstrated the Navy's continuing regional commitment to EUCOM and CENTCOM areas of responsibility by hosting 80 embarked guests, including political and military leaders from eight ally and partner nations. These embarks directly supported U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet theater security objectives and greatly enhanced U.S. relationships and partnerships with multiple NATO ally and partner nations and Gulf Cooperation Council members.
“I’m so very proud of all our sailors!” said Capt. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commanding officer of Truman, “Their resilience, perseverance, and utter dedication to mission has been nothing short of exemplary. It has been my greatest honor to serve as Truman’s commanding officer this deployment!”
According to Navy officials, maintaining maritime superiority is a vital part of a Navy that is present today and prepared for tomorrow. The impact affects Americans and their interests around the world, as more than 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water and 90 percent of all trade travels by sea.
The foundation of the Navy the nation needs includes a focus on warfighting, warfighters and the future of the fighting force.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Truman. More than 6,000 men and women serve aboard the ship during deployment keeping all parts of the ship running smoothly. Each crewmember performs a number of tasks outside of their traditional job or rating.
“As the shooter, we are either pilots or naval flight officers that come from other aviation backgrounds in the Navy to serve aboard Carriers like Truman to launch and recover aircraft,” said Stewart. “It takes the entire flight deck team to launch the aircraft, but the shooter is responsible to ensure that launch is safe and accurate. Once we push the fire button, there’s no taking it back. That’s only half of what we do, the other half of our job is being a division officer within all five of the divisions of Air Department. When we’re not on the flight deck, we’re in our division offices taking care of our sailors. The Air Department has about 700 personnel and having that experience of leading those sailors every day on the flight deck, helping them pursue career goals and life goals and seeing them succeed is the most rewarding aspect of this tour.”
Throughout the deployment, Truman performed numerous training exercises to develop tactical competencies. From carrier strike force operations as the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, to exercises with partner navies and forces, the ship developed key skillsets to maintain readiness and interoperability. While conducting stability operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, the strike group was called upon during an international crisis to assert American commitment to the region and act as a primary de-escalatory catalyst.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Stewart, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“Growing up in Lower Bucks and seeing the air shows at Willow Grove, I wanted to fly in the military and thought the Navy was the best way to do it,” added Stewart. “During a trip with my Boy Scout troop to Annapolis, we toured the Naval Academy and NAS Patuxent River, I was settled on the goal of becoming an officer and flying in the Navy. Shortly after that trip 9/11 happened and it fueled my desired to join and serve even more.”
“As the shooter, we are either pilots or naval flight officers that come from other aviation backgrounds in the Navy to serve aboard Carriers like Truman to launch and recover aircraft,” said Stewart. “It takes the entire flight deck team to launch the aircraft, but the shooter is responsible to ensure that launch is safe and accurate. Once we push the fire button, there’s no taking it back. That’s only half of what we do, the other half of our job is being a division officer within all five of the divisions of Air Department. When we’re not on the flight deck, we’re in our division offices taking care of our sailors. The Air Department has about 700 personnel and having that experience of leading those sailors every day on the flight deck, helping them pursue career goals and life goals and seeing them succeed is the most rewarding aspect of this tour.”
Throughout the deployment, Truman performed numerous training exercises to develop tactical competencies. From carrier strike force operations as the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, to exercises with partner navies and forces, the ship developed key skillsets to maintain readiness and interoperability. While conducting stability operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, the strike group was called upon during an international crisis to assert American commitment to the region and act as a primary de-escalatory catalyst.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Stewart, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“Growing up in Lower Bucks and seeing the air shows at Willow Grove, I wanted to fly in the military and thought the Navy was the best way to do it,” added Stewart. “During a trip with my Boy Scout troop to Annapolis, we toured the Naval Academy and NAS Patuxent River, I was settled on the goal of becoming an officer and flying in the Navy. Shortly after that trip 9/11 happened and it fueled my desired to join and serve even more.”