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CDR Carter, VF-14 CO - click for bio!VF-14 is taking part in
Operation Southern Watch!


A new message from the Commanding Officer
August 21st 1999, aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)

 

AJ200 takes off - click to enlarge!For the past six weeks we have been participating in Operation Southern Watch, patrolling the No-Fly-Zone in southern Iraq. I am amazed at our performance, considering that we finished up combat operations in Kosovo and jumped straight into another high-stress environment. Even with heat indexes upwards of 140 degrees, our men and women have continued to out-do themselves. Everyone has done a super job of looking out for each other in these conditions.

Iraq no-fly zones - click to enlarge!As far as our accomplishments out here, there has been little to no news coverage at all. I can tell you that we have been fired upon and that we have dropped weapons in Iraq with as much success, if not more, as we had in Kosovo. It is a very demanding mission considering the political environment surrounding this area of the world. Our aircrew must take into account a number of factors before they release a weapon, requiring timely decisions in a high-threat environment. And, to date, every decision to drop or not to drop a weapon has been perfect.

And now, as our presence requirement in the Persian Gulf draws to a close, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We have started preparations for our arrival back home at the end of September. Between now and then, we will be transiting back into the Mediterranean, maybe making one more port visit, over to Bermuda to pick up family members for the Tiger Cruise, and then into Norfolk.

Looking beyond the homecoming, we have our 80th Anniversary celebration in November. Keep referring to the web page for upcoming news on events related to that event.

As I look back on the previous five months, I am astounded at the performance of our young men and women. It will be a cruise that will go down in history, largely due in part to the individuals in this squadron. The occasion has been rare that a carrier battle group has engaged the enemy in two different theaters. And never has a battle group been successful in two different theaters. As friends and family of a Tophatter, you can be proud that he or she has contributed a significant effort to support and defend the rights and responsibilities of our country in a way that few have ever accomplished.

I assure you that everyone is looking forward to coming home. Without the support we have had back home I doubt we could have been as successful as we were. We’ll see you all in September!

Best wishes to all,

CDR Ted "Slapshot" Carter

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