USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
November 3, 2012 Issue
Tigers Prowl the Decks of “Big E” for the Final Time Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian G. Reynolds
An F/A-18E Supper Hornet assigned to the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, launches for an air power demonstration during the final Tiger Cruise. (Photo by MC3 Heath Zeigler)
USS ENTERPRISE, At sea – Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) welcomed nearly 1,500 “Tigers” - or friends and family of the crew of Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 - aboard the legendary carrier Nov. 2, marking the beginning of the ship’s final “Tiger Cruise,” as the carrier makes its final transit to its homeport of Norfolk. The Tigers came aboard during Enterprise’s port visit to Naval Station Mayport, in Mayport, Fla., and will remain aboard the “Big E” through the final leg of the ship’s 25th and final deployment They are scheduled to arrive in Norfolk Nov. 4. “On behalf of all of the men, women, Sailors and Marines of Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, I would like to welcome everyone onboard Enterprise for our final journey back to our homeport of Norfolk,” said Rear Adm. Walter E. Carter, commander, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, as he addressed the crew and the tigers over the 1-MC announcement system. During the Tiger Cruise, friends and family of the ship’s crew will receive the opportunity to witness first-hand what it is like to live on the “Big E” for two days. “I am absolutely honored to be here,” said Jack Brenkus, father of Hull Technician 3rd Class Paul Brenkus. “It’s great being able to just walk around and see this legendary ship.”
During the course of the cruise, the Tigers will experience life at sea, including air operations, firefighting demonstrations and weapons demonstrations. “We have a lot of exciting things that are scheduled to happen over the next couple of days,” said Carter. Most importantly, the Tiger Cruise gave crewmembers the opportunity to reunite with their families after nearly eight months at sea. “It is amazing to have my dad onboard,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Quindell Jenkins. “After all these months, to actually see him here is unreal.” “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Dirk Hampton, Jenkins’s father, who traveled from Wake Forest, N.C. “Its really great to catch up and to see what he (Jenkins) does on a day-to-day basis.” Not only does the Tiger Cruise give friends, family and loved ones a glimpse at what it has been like for their Sailor on deployment, but it also allows them to be a part of history, as Enterprise pulls into Norfolk for the final time. “This journey is the final chapter of the 25th and final deployment of this historic ship,” said Carter. “We are very glad to have all 1,500 tigers onboard.”