USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) along with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 completed its Flight Deck Certification, Aug. 23.

With the completion of the three-day evolution and welcomed addition of CVW-1, Truman is battle-ready once again, landing and launching aircraft for the first time since completing a 10-month Planned Incremental Availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

"The most positive aspect of getting the air wing and carrier out here operating together is the momentum they create," said Commander Carrier Strike Group Eight, Rear Adm. Dale Horan. "Much like a marriage, one plus one does not equal two - it's something much greater than that. Likewise, Truman and CVW-1 have come together in a very short amount of time to make this partnership of a carrier and its embarked air wing a truly formidable force."

The crew's focus has shifted from getting the ship back out to sea, to including the air wing and performing at it's full capacity as an aircraft carrier.

"Mission readiness is without a doubt the top priority aboard Truman," said Yeoman 1st Class Sammy Young. "Collaboration with the airwing is the undeniable motivation factor to take our talents and abilities to the next level. The idea of Sailors coming together for mission achievement, with the ability to extend networking, and receiving qualifications and training makes it that much more worth it."

Bringing the ship's crew and airwing's Sailors together does not happen overnight but they both share common goals and benefit greatly from one another.

"Knowing what we need to do and how we need to get it done is important," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Steven Mathias, assigned to the "Knighthawks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136. "A lot of carriers operate differently in certain aspects. [CVW-1] just needs to learn what the Truman does and how it operates so we can work with them."

Truman and CVW-1 have successfully completed their Flight Deck Certifications and is currently preparing for Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP). For more news from USS Harry S. Truman, visit www.navy.mil/local.cvn75 or www.facebook.com/usstruman

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.