Biden Visits Stennis
Vice President Joe Biden visited the Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) July 14, while the ship and John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) were participating in the Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise. The visit, which occurred just one day before the six-month mark of their current deployment, gave Biden an opportunity to thank the crew, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, and embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and strike group staffs, for the work they have done operating in the the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations and specifically the South China Sea. "I am humbled and I am honored to be here with you today," said Biden. Biden…
'Iron Nickel' is Decommissioned
Hundreds of current and former crew members, 10 previous commanding officers, and their family members crowded onto the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) to bid farewell to the "Iron Nickel" during the ship's decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, March 31. Tears wet the eyes of many of the former Sailors and Marines in attendance as the flag was hauled down, the watch was secured and the crew of one of the most famous ships in the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet ceremoniously disembarked the vessel for the final time. Peleliu was named after the Battle of Peleliu which took place from Sept. 15 to Nov. 27, 1944 in which 1,256 Marines gave their lives to take the island which was being held by the Imperial Japanese Army. Rear Adm. Marcus A.
