Publication:The Fearless Times Issue 3 2009/CTF-50 Carrier Operations
For our final week on task in the MEAO Toowoomba was put under the tactical command of the United States Commander Task Force 50. CTF 50 is the Commander of the Carrier Strike Group 11, assigned to the Middle East. During the Second Gulf War, multiple Carrier Battle Groups were assigned to this command. Today one Carrier Battle Group is assigned. This battle group's primary mission is to act in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. ENDURING FREEDOM is the official name used by the US for its Global War on Terror which incorporates missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. On a day to day basis, the battle group supports this mission through land strikes and fire support missions in Afghanistan.
USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) is the giant 'Super Carrier' currently assigned to CTF 50, having relieved USS RONALD REAGAN several months ago. She is a nuclear powered ship laid down in 1968 and remains one of the largest warships in the world. As well as being an entity in itself, USS NIMITZ is the home of several other commands. This includes the Commander of Carrier Strike Group 11 Rear Admiral John W. Miller, Commander of Carrier Wing 11 Captain Bret C. Batchelder and Commander Destroyer Squadron 23 Captain James L. Autrey.
The NIMITZ primary offensive weapon is her ability to launch and recover high performance jet aircraft from her deck, anytime, anywhere. The carrier air wing is comprised of a number of individual squadrons under the leadership of the Air Wing Commander. With the combined capabilities of these squadrons, the Air Wing Commander can deploy aircraft to perform a wide range of missions, from power projection deep into enemy territory to engaging and destroying enemy contacts within the carrier's area of operation. Aircraft perform patrols, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and rescue missions.
Plane-Guard and Air Defence (A Seaman Officer’s Perspective)
Getting to work with an Aircraft Carrier is undoubtedly a highlight in any Australian Naval person's career. This is particularly the case for a Seaman Officer. The sheer overwhelming size and capability of such a platform, is always awe-inspiring and attracts many comments on the Bridge like “wow, now that is a huge ship!” or “did you just see that, how cool was that?” Our time with USS NIMITZ was by no means any exception and it provided Toowoomba’s Bridge Team with a once in a life time experience.
On 03 November 2009, Toowoomba shifted in tasking in support to CTF50. Our primary role was to provide Air Defence Capability for NIMITZ, who was flying aircraft in and out of Afghanistan from the Northern Arabian Sea. Incorporated in our duties, we assumed 'plane-guard' responsibility for launch and recovery cycles in NIMITZ.
This involved high speed manoeuvring and very busy times for the Bridge Team, as they drove to maintain a station on the starboard quarter of NIMITZ at precisely one nautical mile. This role includes being a response unit in the event of the crash of an aircraft, also as a Horizontal Reference Unit (HRU) for recovery of aircraft at night.
It was amazing to watch as the FA18s, PROWLERS, and all the other aircraft launched and then later that day or evening fly overhead to be recovered. Great concentration was required to monitor NIMITZ's sometimes sporadic movements and it gave the ship drivers a chance to test and develop our ship handling skills.
The Fearless team did very well and worked tirelessly to maintain station. At the end of our week with Nimitz and Carrier Strike Group 11 we were sent off with a 'Bravo Zulu' and many thanks from CTF 50. Proud of our performance and with many photos to show from the experience, there is no doubt that those at home will hear about this.
