Uss John C. Stennis Approved to Deploy to U.s. Central Command
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DOD OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED JULY 16, USS JOHN C. STENNIS AND ITS STRIKE GROUP WILL DEPLOY
FOUR MONTHS EARLY AND SHIFT ITS DESTINATION TO THE U-S CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY.
THE BREMERTON, WASHINGTON BASED STRIKE GROUP WAS ORIGINALLY SET TO DEPLOY AT THE END OF
THE YEAR. LAST WEEK DEFENSE SECRETARY LEON PANETTA APPROVED A REQUEST FROM THE CENTCOM
COMMANDER TO ACCELERATE STENNIS' DEPLOYMENT. THE SHIFT IN DESTINATION IS IN RESPONSE TO
CENTRAL COMMAND'S REQUIREMENT FOR AN EXTENDED CARRIER PRESENCE.
THE ACCELERATED DEPLOYMENT IS NOT AIMED AT ANY SPECIFIC THREAT.
THE MOVE AFFECTS MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND SAILORS ABOARD STENNIS AND THE AEGIS CRUISER USS MOBILE
BAY.
FROM WASHINGTON, I'M PETTY OFFICER ASHLEY HEDRICK.
