NORFOLK, Va.- A 2007 John F. Kennedy Catholic High School graduate and St. Louis, 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.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Bridget Reigel is an electronics technician aboard the carrier. As an electronics technician, Reigel is responsible for maintaining and repairing electronic equipment that is vital for data transmission to and from ships, shore commands and aircrafts.
“My favorite part about my job is that every trouble call I respond to is like a puzzle or a game to be solved,” said Reigel. “My equipment will give me x, y and z indications and sometimes it’s the textbook answer, and other times the puzzle requires a bit more technical knowledge and application. I like it when I struggle a bit and then eventually work it out because it’s like solving a mystery with all the clues falling perfectly into place.”
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).
“I feel like my best accomplishment this deployment was actually making it through the deployment with my morale and fiery spirit intact,” said Riegel. “My grandpa, stepmom and family dog all died during this deployment and it made it more difficult for me to not be able to be home, in addition to being away from my daughters and husband, and dealing with the stress of COVID-19. I strongly believe if it hadn’t been for a handful of my shipmates and me watching each other’s backs and taking turns carrying a sense of fraternity and severe humor amongst ourselves, it would have been a lot more difficult to get through.”
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 an electronics technician, I maintain equipment that enables our ship to communicate fluidly with aircraft attached to our ship during underways and deployments, other ships, shore-side commands both within the U.S. and outside of it, and with other nations as authorized,” said Reigel.
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.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Reigel, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Reigel is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I am the sixth consecutive generation of my family to serve in a military,” said Riegel. “My dad retired from the U.S. Army after 24 years and returned home to St. Louis. My paternal grandpa was and one of my uncles were Air Force members, and my maternal grandpa was a Navy veteran. I have had at least one cousin in every branch of the military. I am the first and so far only female in my family to join the military.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Riegel, 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.
“I personally wanted to go on an adventure after graduating from college and do something truly meaningful with my time,” added Riegel. “I grew up with the value that to serve others is a way of life and to be a positive, productive member of society is one of the noblest causes. I have three daughters and wanted to make sure I set a good example for them to look up to as they grow into lovely young women.”
“My favorite part about my job is that every trouble call I respond to is like a puzzle or a game to be solved,” said Reigel. “My equipment will give me x, y and z indications and sometimes it’s the textbook answer, and other times the puzzle requires a bit more technical knowledge and application. I like it when I struggle a bit and then eventually work it out because it’s like solving a mystery with all the clues falling perfectly into place.”
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).
“I feel like my best accomplishment this deployment was actually making it through the deployment with my morale and fiery spirit intact,” said Riegel. “My grandpa, stepmom and family dog all died during this deployment and it made it more difficult for me to not be able to be home, in addition to being away from my daughters and husband, and dealing with the stress of COVID-19. I strongly believe if it hadn’t been for a handful of my shipmates and me watching each other’s backs and taking turns carrying a sense of fraternity and severe humor amongst ourselves, it would have been a lot more difficult to get through.”
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 an electronics technician, I maintain equipment that enables our ship to communicate fluidly with aircraft attached to our ship during underways and deployments, other ships, shore-side commands both within the U.S. and outside of it, and with other nations as authorized,” said Reigel.
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.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Reigel, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Reigel is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I am the sixth consecutive generation of my family to serve in a military,” said Riegel. “My dad retired from the U.S. Army after 24 years and returned home to St. Louis. My paternal grandpa was and one of my uncles were Air Force members, and my maternal grandpa was a Navy veteran. I have had at least one cousin in every branch of the military. I am the first and so far only female in my family to join the military.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Riegel, 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.
“I personally wanted to go on an adventure after graduating from college and do something truly meaningful with my time,” added Riegel. “I grew up with the value that to serve others is a way of life and to be a positive, productive member of society is one of the noblest causes. I have three daughters and wanted to make sure I set a good example for them to look up to as they grow into lovely young women.”