The arrival of Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) has brought a dramatic change in atmosphere about the ship. The hangar bay, once cavernously empty, is now packed full with aircraft - wings back and tails folded like slumbering beasts. The silence of night is pierced by the screech and rumble, singed by the heat of after burners from jets quickly landing on and launching from the flight deck. The chow lines are some 2,000 Sailors longer than before. The most noticeable and important change, however, is in the ship's capabilities.

With the welcomed addition of CVW-7, Truman takes another great stride toward mission readiness - each day becoming more prepared to fight and win at sea, around the clock, around the globe.

"The positive aspect in getting the air wing and carrier out here operating together is the momentum they create," said Rear Adm. Bret Batchelder, commander, Carrier Strike Group 8. "Much like in a marriage, one plus one does not equal two - it's something much greater than that. It's the same thing with this ship and its air wing. They've come together in a very short amount of time and the things they're producing together go far beyond just the sum of one and two alone."

In the months since Truman left Norfolk Naval Shipyards, May 22, the ship has completed several stages of training, earning both carrier and flight deck qualifications. In June, the crew completed its tailored ship's training availability (TSTA) and final evaluation problem (FEP) to prepare for the ship's upcoming deployment.

"Once we leave homeport this fall and go forth into the world, we do so to project the resolve of the United States of America. We will be prepared to operate anywhere we go - providing partnership building with our friends and other activities with anyone else," said Batchelder.

Capt. Frederick Luchtman, commander, Carrier Air Wing 7, said the easy union between Truman and CVW-7 is the driving force behind the ship's successful operations.

"Both the crew of Harry S. Truman and the men and women of Carrier Air Wing 7 deserve a tremendous pat on the back," said Luchtman. "With our delays and constant juggling of the schedule, they have remained steadfast in their devotion to professionalism in the execution of their duties and taking care of one another. If you want the best example of teamwork in the world, it is a United States aircraft carrier with its embarked air wing. Every person is vital to the effort. Five-thousand people all focused on getting aircraft off the flight deck, to the target and back safely. It is an incredible testament to the training that we've accomplished and the training we have yet to do."

The arrival of the air wing has strengthened performance inside the skin of the ship, as well.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class C. Carr said the knowledge and experience each individual brings to the table is invaluable.

"We received ten squadron corpsmen and two air wing medical providers," said Carr. "They integrated themselves perfectly into the teams we have set up, taking active roles. Everyone brings something new to the table. We've had some intense drills this underway, and I think our performance shows how well we work together."

After completing TSTA, Truman, the air wing and the strike group are facing one more pre-deployment exercises before reaching full certification and readiness.

The strike group's currently underway participating in composite training unit exercise.

"It is great to see the air wing come aboard and do so well," said Capt. Ryan Scholl, Truman's commanding officer. "We're just a big, grey ship if we don't have the aircraft onboard. When we get them, we become an aircraft carrier - we become the best friend you could ever have if you're one of our allies or your worst enemy if you're one of our foes. The coming together can go wrong sometimes, but it has gone spectacular - with a lot of people working together to solve problems. It hasn't been perfect, but it has been the best marriage of an air wing and a ship that I've seen in my career."

The team of Truman and CVW 7 is off to a great start training to carry out the mission of the nation.

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