Thompson sails into harm’s way on short notice
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The crew of 5,500 sailors and marines were sent into the Arabian Gulf to uphold sanctions against Iraq and monitor the no-fly zones over the Arab country. However, on Sept. 12, the Carl Vinson was rerouted to support Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The aircraft carrier returned home in late January.
Sailors like Navy Dentalman Rusty C. Thompson serve their country by going into harm’s way on a moments notice. Thompson, the 20-year-old son of Gail Thompson, is a dental technician who assists Navy dentists.
The medical department on board the ship consists of dental technicians and hospital corpsmen. Together they work to provide health care for the crew and squadrons. During the deployment, Carl Vinson’s medical department treated more than 15,500 patient visits.
The ship spent 73 days operating in support of OEF in the North Arabian Sea before returning home. This deployment was challenging but also provided rewards for the crew.
“The most rewarding aspect was receiving all the letters and appreciation notes from back home,” said Thompson, a 1999 graduate of Warren County Senior High School.
The massive 86,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is one of America’s most powerful tools for executing U.S. national policy. The crew consists of more than 3,000 sailors and an airwing of more than 2,000 members. The air wing squadrons operate 80 planes including the F/A-18 Hornet, F-14 Tomcat, S-3 Viking, E-1 Hawkeye, EA-6B Prowler and SH-60 Seahawk. These aircraft are launched from a flight deck approximately three football fields long, which gives the Carl Vinson the capability to perform a wide range of missions.
These missions include enforcing blockades and no-fly zones, supporting forces ashore and conducting precision strikes against sea or land targets.
“Our presence maintains freedom overseas. It also helps strengthen goodwill toward America and patriotism at home,” added Thompson, a two-year Navy veteran.
As the war against terrorism continues, the need for deployed naval forces is vital because U.S. presence in the region physically reinforces a commitment to stopping terrorism. Sailors like Thompson make sacrifices for the United States by going into harm’s way to protect U.S. interest.