Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Johnson, a quartermaster aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, shows a journalist the ship's helm during a port visit to Bahrain on Monday, March 25, 2019. Stennis' crew of approximately 5,000 sailors is in Bahrain for rest and relaxation during a scheduled deployment to both 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations. (Joshua Karsten/Stars and Stripes)
Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Johnson, a quartermaster aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, shows a journalist the ship's helm during a port visit to Bahrain on Monday, March 25, 2019. Stennis' crew of approximately 5,000 sailors is in Bahrain for rest and relaxation during a scheduled deployment to both 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations. (Joshua Karsten/Stars and Stripes)
The USS John C. Stennis at Khalifa bin Salman Port on Monday, March 25, 2019, during a port visit to Bahrain. Stennis' crew of approximately 5,000 sailors is in Bahrain for a port visit. (Joshua Karsten/Stars and Stripes)
Sailors prepare for a banquet in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis on Monday, March 25, 2019. (Joshua Karsten/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. Navy Capt. Patrick Thompson, executive officer for the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, speaks with reporters on Monday, March 25, 2019, in Manama, Bahrain. Stennis' crew of approximately 5,000 sailors is in Bahrain for rest and relaxation during a scheduled deployment to both 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations. (Joshua Karsten/Stars and Stripes)
Sailors depart the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in Manama, Bahrain, on Monday, March 25, 2019. Stennis' crew of approximately 5,000 sailors is in Bahrain for a port visit. (Joshua Karsten/Stars and Stripes)
Lunch time at Naval Support Activity Bahrain during a port visit from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis on Monday, March 25, 2019. (Joshua Karsten/Stars and Stripes)
Patrons shop at the Navy Exchange at Naval Support Activity Bahrain during a port visit from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis on Monday, March 24, 2019. (Joshua Karsten/Stars and Stripes)
MANAMA, Bahrain — The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis arrived in Bahrain this week for some rest, relaxation and replenishment after more than a month with the 7th Fleet.
The Stennis first entered in the Gulf in December and since has moved into and out of 5th and 7th Fleets, in keeping of the Pentagon’s Dynamic Force Employment strategy, which is meant to introduce an element of unpredictability in ship movements to confuse possible U.S. adversaries.
The carrier’s time in the South China Sea and the Persian Gulf was dictated by the need to demonstrate presence and to support different missions, said Capt. Patrick Thompson, the carrier’s executive officer.
“There was a need in 7th Fleet for us to be back there and then coming back this way on our way to our new homeport, it makes sense to come in and maintain our ability to keep the waterways open in the Arabian Gulf,” said Thompson, referring to an upcoming homeport shift from Washington to Virginia. “It’s a good time to come and show our presence on our way back through the area.”
When the Stennis first arrived in the Gulf in December, it was shadowed by Iranian vessels, which trailed the ship and even filmed it using a drone. Thompson confirmed the Stennis had been directly involved in Operation Inherent Resolve, supporting ground troops in Syria and Iraq, but provided no further details.
For the crew, Bahrain is a welcome break from the shipboard life. One sailor mentioned taking a long shower with bare feet — a no-no aboard the ship, she said. Another sailor said she wanted to get to a hotel and order food.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Johnson planned to see the Tree of Life, a 400-year-old tree in the desert with no known water source, he said.
“That’s something I’ve been looking forward to, I just want to explore the city, explore everything,” he told Stars and Stripes while guiding a tour of the ship’s bridge.
Stennis has been underway since October and has made previous port visits to Singapore, Dubai and Thailand. The flattop, commissioned in 1995, is expected to change homeports to Norfolk, Va. for a midlife refueling after this deployment.
