Navy
USS Carl Vinson hosts enlistment ceremony, airpower demonstration on Family and Friends Day Cruise
Stars and Stripes
August 18, 2024
Future Sailors enlist into the U.S. Navy on the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson while underway for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Analice Baker/U.S. Navy)
The USS Carl Vinson welcomed aboard the friends and family of the crew on Saturday as it set sail off the coast of Southern California.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier also welcomed 15 new sailors, who took the oath of enlistment on the flight deck during a Family and Friends Day Cruise.
Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander of Carrier Strike Group One, presided over the enlistment ceremony in front of by more than 3,000 sailors, along with their family and friends.
Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), shakes hands with Xavier Gilford, a native of Mira Mesa, Calif., after Gilford enlisted into the Navy while underway aboard the ship for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Analice Baker/U.S. Navy)
Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander of Carrier Strike Group One, takes a photo with a visitor aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson while underway for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Analice Baker/U.S. Navy)
Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander of Carrier Strike Group One, high fives Trevor Sorenson of San Diego after Sorenson enlisted into the U.S. Navy aboard USS Carl Vinson while underway for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Analice Baker/U.S. Navy)
“It is one of the most motivating things I get to do, stand with someone who affirms their support of the Constitution and its ideals,” Wosje said. “It would be amazing anywhere, but how cool is it to stand up in front of a huge crowd of fellow Americans on America’s Favorite Aircraft Carrier and swear to support and defend the Constitution and their way of life.”
The new sailors were part of the Navy Delayed Entry Program. Delayed entry is the military status gained by an enlistment in which a service member’s entry on active duty or initial active duty for training is postponed for up to 365 days.
As part of the day, guests got to watch an airpower demonstration involving an F-35C Lighting II, assigned to the “War Hawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97.
Sailors and their guests watch as an F-35C Lighting II, assigned to the “War Hawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, takes off from the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during an airpower demonstration while underway for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Larissa T. Dougherty/U.S. Navy)
Guests aboard USS Carl Vinson for a Family and Friends Day Cruise watch an airpower demonstration on the flight deck on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Larissa Dougherty/U.S. Navy)
Sailors and their guests watch as an F-35C Lighting II, assigned to the “War Hawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, takes off from the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during an airpower demonstration while underway for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Kenneth Ostas/U.S. Navy)
Sailors and their guests watch as an F-35C Lighting II, assigned to the “War Hawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, takes off from the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during an airpower demonstration while underway for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Analice Baker/U.S. Navy)
Sailors and their guests watch as an F-35C Lighting II, assigned to the “War Hawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, takes off from the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during an airpower demonstration while underway for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Kenneth Ostas/U.S. Navy)
Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Randolph Reed of Carson, Calif., and Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Dustin Mason of Douglas, Ariz., perform in the hangar bay aboard USS Carl Vinson while underway for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Analice Baker/U.S. Navy)
Guests aboard USS Carl Vinson for a Family and Friends Day Cruise watch an airpower demonstration on the flight deck on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Analice Baker/U.S. Navy)
La Habra High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets pose for a group photo in the hangar bay aboard USS Carl Vinson while underway for a Family and Friends Day Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Analice Baker/U.S. Navy)