Saturday, December 15, 2007

Rawhides Home in Time for Holidays

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Hall, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Atlantic

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 Detachment (Det.) 4 returned to Naval Station Norfolk Dec. 14 after a six-month deployment aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The "Rawhides" provided carrier onboard delivery, transporting cargo, mail and passengers to support the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group in maintaining around–the–clock air operations.

"You can't put it into words," said Lt. James Allenburg, "We actually weren't gone that long but given the months we were gone it is great to be back especially for the holidays."

VRC 40 Det. 4 deployed with Enterprise, as part of Carrier Air Wing 1, July 7. The "Rawhides" transported more than 700,000 pounds of cargo, nearly 250,000 pounds of mail, and 3,600 passengers. This deployment was their second in two years.