A Sailor speaks with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III during the secretary’s visit on the USS Nimitz, Feb. 25, 2021. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders).
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
Ten months deployment sailing on an U.S. aircraft carrier is not easy being cut off from the world. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin paid a visit Thursday to sailors aboard the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier sailing off the coast of California to boost their morale and thank them for their service to the country. The nuclear powered ship left with crew from the port in Bremerton, Washington, April 27th but is now heading back home. The Nimitz is scheduled stopping in San Diego Friday and then off to reach Bremerton in a few days. More than 5,000 Sailors and Marines are assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group . Secretary Austin said he realized long deployments can be challenging to crew.
” I think our sailors, our soldiers, our airmen, when they — when they signed up to — to — to be a part of the military, they know that at some point there’ll be some unexpected things that happen, some — some — some requirements that are — that are a little bit tougher. And by — for the most part, they — they understand and they’re — and they’re willing to — to make sure that they’re meeting the need, the requirement. We’ve seen that happen here. These sailors have done a great job, and most importantly, Jim, their families have been very, very supportive, as well, and I want to make sure I, like, I give them a shout-out and — and provide our thanks for — for their sacrifices.”
-Secretary of Defense Austin in briefing with reporters on USS Nimitz Feb. 25, 2021 , California
(file photo, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) steams through the Strait of Hormuz – (credit: U.S. Navy/MC3 Keenan Daniels)
“WELCOME HOME” – Secretary Austin
I just couldn’t be more proud of the women and men of USS Nimitz for their hard work and dedication over the last ten months. What they have endured and accomplished is an example of the best the U.S. military has to offer. From all of us: Welcome Home. pic.twitter.com/2Db7JLI68X
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) February 25, 2021
