Stennis Heads To OPS With Changed Deck Load

The John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Carrier Strike Group left Jan. 17, with a deck load that features two MH-60 Seahawk helicopter squadrons, rather than one.

The carrier has embarked two squadrons for a total of about 19 aircraft. These helicopters are heavily armed and will take on missions in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare. They are essential to supporting SEALs and special operations missions.

When the Stennis group reaches the Indian Ocean AOR it will be looking for a terrorists in speedboats while monitoring local shipping traffic. The rotary wing aircraft will provide close in recon of suspect craft and delivery of Special Operation teams.

The Navy is replacing its older models with the MH60R and MH60S. This deployment will be the first time a Romeo and a Sierra squadron are deployed together. MH60R’s carry intelligence equipment and the MH60S’s armed for combat operations with armored floors, a .50-caliber gun and eight Hellfire missiles.

The MH60R and MH60S are the best assets the navy has to ID pirates and sink them where they are. With the new rules of engagement approved by the UN and local governments taking a greater role, piracy in the I.O. is sure to take a hit.

“The helicopter force has never been more relevant,” said Capt. Donald Williamson, commodore of the Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing in San Diego. “I think we will find that helicopters will be a force multiplier for the [carrier strike group] in ways that people have never thought about.”