Reporter Central Kitsap
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012 | Vol. 27, No. 51 www.CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.com | 50¢
Stennis deploys early for Middle East Return to region doubles carrier capacity, keeps U. S. presence up By Patrick McDonough pmcdonough@soundpublishing.com
The U.S.S. John C. Stennis Departed Naval Base Kitsap on Aug. 27 with more than 2,000 sailors on board for what is set to be an eightmonth deployment to the Middle East. Sailor Jacob Gardner cradled his one-month-old daughter Attica and said goodbye to his wife, Anne, as he prepared to board the carrier. A twelve year veteran of the Navy, he said this trip to the Middle East is his sixth deployment. Gardner said he would miss his family, but said his departure was his job and a matter of duty. “It is something that we have to do,” he said. “It is what we signed up for.” Anne Gardner said it was difficult with the recent birth of Attica, but said the family would make it through his absence. “It makes it extra difficult to say goodbye,” Anne Gardner said. “But we will face it head on and get through it.” Gardner said he felt he was leaving his daughter in good hands with his wife.
Patrick McDonough/staff photo
Families and friends of the service men and women of the USS John C. Stennis say their farewells as the vessel prepares to depart for the Middle East. The Stennis is slated for an eighth-month deployment, which is twice as long as originally anticipated and also comes four months sooner than planned when the vessel arrived on March 2.
“This is our first child and it makes it difficult,” he said. “But, I have faith in her,” The Stennis is slated for an eighth month deployment, which is twice as long as originally anticipated and also comes four month sooner than planned when the aircraft carrier arrived on March 2. The Stennis will replace the U.S.S Enterprise in the Middle East. The Stennis was originally set to deploy at the end of the year to U.S. Pacific Command. Officials at the U.S. Department of Defense said the accelerated deployment is not aimed at any specific threat. Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said the deployment was meant to expand military options in the area. “This is a very important region for our defense strategy,” Little said. “We’ve had a presence in the region for decades and we have a range of interests that this extension of our capabilities will support.” United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta spoke See Stennis, A7
Adrian is all smiles at street-naming ceremony Bremerton names street for local Olympic champion By KEVAN MOORE kmoore@soundpublishing.com
The Stewart kids all brought swim caps. Tyler, 8, and Curtis, 6, brought their bright orange Olympic Aquatic Center caps while Emerson, 4, not quite yet old enough to join the big leagues, brought her bright green “friendly-monster” cap. Smiling, Olympic Gold medalist Nathan
Adrian signed them all, telling Emerson that he particularly liked hers. Another Bremerton youngster, 4-yearold Marcus Jayden, brought Adrian a handmade neon green sign with a shaky handwritten “Way to go Nathan” note written across the poster board. Adrian began to sign it, but was told that Marcus wanted him to have it.
Kevan Moore/staff photo
Gold medalist Nathan Adrian checks out a new Bremerton street sign bearing his name.