29 August 2011

USA: John C. Stennis CSG Cancels Port Visit to Manila Due to Typhoon Mina

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- High winds and seas led the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to cancel a port visit in Manila, Philippines, Aug. 28.

The USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) crew regrets not being able to visit their long-standing partners, families and friends.

"We agreed with the advice from the Filipino Coast Guard that conditions were too dangerous," said John C. Stennis Commanding Officer Capt. Ronald Reis.

Stennis was originally scheduled to arrive in Manila Aug. 27 but had to reschedule to Aug. 28 in hopes that weather would improve. As Typhoon Mina lingered over the Philippines, the visit was officially cancelled.

"We have a long standing alliance with the Philippines, and we looked forward to our visit but safety is always a priority for us," said Commander, John C. Stennis CSG Rear Adm. Craig Faller.

The John C. Stennis CSG is comprised of John C. Stennis, guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) and Destroyer Squadron 21, which includes guided-missile destroyers USS Pinckney (DDG 91); USS Kidd (DDG 100); USS Dewey (DDG 105); and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108).

The embarked Carrier Air Wing 9 on board John C. Stennis includes Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 14, VFA 41, VFA 97, VFA 192; Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112; Electronic Attack Squadron 133; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71; and Carrier Logistics Support Squadron 30.

John C. Stennis CSG will continue on its scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility, which includes the western Pacific Ocean and Arabian Gulf. John C. Stennis last deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet was in 2009.

Navy.mil