Keywords: US Navy 030915-N-3236B-002 USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and more than 6,400 Sailors assigned to the super carrier, arrive at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.jpg en San Diego Calif Sept 15 2003 -- USS Carl Vinson CVN 70 and more than 6 400 Sailors assigned to the super carrier arrive at Naval Air Station North Island Calif for a brief port visit and to off load squadrons from Carrier Air Wing Nine CVW-9 following an eight-month deployment to the western Pacific and Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom The deployment which covered 60 000 nautical miles and is equivalent to two trips around the world involved indirect strike-planning support for Operation Iraqi Freedom In addition Carl Vinson and CVW-9 participated in several international naval exercises including Foal Eagle Tandem Thrust and Ulchi Focus Lens flying more than 10 000 sorties U S Navy photo by Photographer s Mate 1st Class Ted Banks RELEASED 2003-09-15 030915-N-3236B-002 Navy http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 9534 U S Navy photo by Photographer s Mate 1st Class Ted Banks PD-USGov-Military-Navy General views of USS Carl Vinson CVN-70 Naval ship arrivals to Naval Air Station North Island C-Tractor 9 ship 1994 Tandem Thrust 2003 Tugboats with aircraft carriers Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003 |