View source for USS John C. Stennis

{{short description|US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox ship
|infobox_caption=USS ''John C. Stennis'' (CVN-74)
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
 |image= Flickr - Official U.S. Navy Imagery - USS John C. Stennis transits the Pacific Ocean. (3).jpg
 |image_caption=USS ''John C. Stennis'' underway in the [[Pacific Ocean]]
 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
 |hide_header=
 |country=United States
 |flag={{USN flag}}
 |name= ''John C. Stennis''
 |namesake=[[John C. Stennis]]
 |awarded=30 June 1988<ref name="NVR">{{cite web |url={{Naval Vessel Register URL|CVN-74}} |title=''John C Stennis'' (CVN 74) |website=[[Naval Vessel Register]] |access-date=18 December 2010}}</ref>
 |builder=[[Northrop Grumman Newport News]]<ref name="NVR"/>
 |original_cost=$4.5&nbsp;billion
 |laid_down=13 March 1991<ref name="NVR"/>
 |launched=13 November 1993<ref name="NVR"/>
 |sponsor=Margaret Jane Stennis Womble
 |christened=13 November 1993
 |acquired=9 November 1995
 |commissioned=9 December 1995<ref name="NVR"/>
 |homeport=[[Naval Air Station North Island]], [[San Diego, California]]
 |identification=*{{MMSI Number|368912000}}
                 *[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: NJCS
                 *{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Juliet}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Sierra}}
                 *[[Hull number]]: CVN-74
 |motto=''Look Ahead, Stay Ahead''
 |honors=
 |struck=
 |fate=
 |status={{ship in active service}}
 |notes=Ship in RCOH (Refueling and Complex Overhaul at Newport News Shipyard in Newport News, Virginia)
 |badge=[[File:USS John Stennis CVN-74 Crest.png|150px]]
 }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
 |hide_header=
 |header_caption=
 |class=[[Nimitz-class aircraft carrier|''Nimitz''-class]] [[aircraft carrier]]
 |type=
 |tonnage=
 |displacement=103,300&nbsp;tons<ref>{{cite book |title=The Naval Institute guide to the ships and aircraft of the U.S. fleet |last=Polmar |first=Norman |year=2004 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis |isbn=978-1-59114-685-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/navalinstitutegu0018polm/page/112 112] |url=https://archive.org/details/navalinstitutegu0018polm|url-access=registration }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usna.edu/NAOE/_files/documents/Courses/EN400/04.04%20CVN.pdf|title=CVN-68: NIMITZ CLASS}}</ref>
 |length={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier length}}
 |beam={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier beam}}
 |height=
 |draft={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier draught}}
 |hold_depth=
 |decks=
 |deck_clearance=
 |ramps=
 |power=
 |propulsion={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier propulsion}}
 |speed={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier speed}}
 |range={{Nuclear ship range}}
 |endurance=
 |boats=
 |capacity=6,500 officers and crew (with embarked airwing)<ref name="NVR"/>
 |troops=
 |complement={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier complement}}
 |crew=
 |time_to_activate=
 |sensors={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier sensors I}}
 |EW={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier EW}}
 |armament={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier armament III}}
 |armor={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier armour}}
 |aircraft={{Nimitz class aircraft carrier aircraft}}
 |aircraft_facilities=*catapults: 4
                      *aircraft elevators: 4
 |notes=
 }}
}}

'''USS ''John C. Stennis'' (CVN-74)''', named for Senator [[John C. Stennis]] of Mississippi, is the seventh of the {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|5}}-class of [[Nuclear reactor|nuclear]]-powered [[supercarrier]]s in the [[United States Navy]].

She was commissioned on 9 December 1995. Her temporary [[home port]] is [[Norfolk, Virginia]], for her scheduled [[Refueling and overhaul|refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH)]], which began in 2019. After her overhaul is completed sometime in the 2020s, she is scheduled to return to Bremerton, Washington.

==Mission and capabilities==
The mission of ''John C. Stennis'' is to conduct sustained combat air operations. The embarked air wing consists of eight to nine squadrons. Attached aircraft are Navy and Marine Corps [[F/A-18 Hornet]], [[Boeing EA-18G Growler|EA-18G Growler]], [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk|MH-60R]], MH-60S, and [[E-2 Hawkeye|E-2C Hawkeye]].

The air wing can engage enemy aircraft, submarines, and land targets, or lay mines hundreds of miles from the ship. ''John C. Stennis''{{'}}s aircraft are used to conduct strikes, support land battles, protect the battle group or other friendly shipping, and implement a sea or air blockade. The air wing provides a visible presence to demonstrate American power and resolve in a crisis. The ship normally operates as the centerpiece of a [[carrier battle group]] commanded by a [[Flag Officer|flag officer]] embarked upon ''John C. Stennis'' and consisting of four to six other ships.

''John C. Stennis''{{'}}s two [[A4W reactor|nuclear reactors]] give her virtually unlimited range and endurance and a top speed in excess of 30&nbsp;knots (56&nbsp;km/h, 34.5&nbsp;mph). The ship's four catapults and four [[arresting gear]] engines enable her to launch and recover aircraft rapidly and simultaneously. The ship carries approximately {{convert|3|e6USgal|m3}} of fuel for her aircraft and escorts, and enough weapons and stores for extended operations without replenishment. ''John C. Stennis'' also has extensive repair capabilities, including a fully equipped Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, a micro-miniature electronics repair shop, and numerous ship repair shops.

For defense, in addition to her air wing and accompanying vessels, ''John C. Stennis'' has [[RIM-162 ESSM|Nato Seasparrow Surface Missile System]], [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile|Rolling Airframe Missile]] (RAM), the [[CIWS]] [[Close-in weapon system|Close-in Weapons System]] for [[cruise missile]] defense, and the [[AN/SLQ-32]] [[electronic warfare|Electronic Warfare]] System.

==History==
The nuclear-powered USS ''John C. Stennis'' (CVN 74) was contracted on 29 March 1988, and the keel was laid on 13 March 1991 at [[Newport News Shipbuilding]], [[Newport News]], [[Virginia]].

The ship was christened on 11 November 1993, in honor of Senator [[John Cornelius Stennis]] (D-Mississippi) who served in the Senate from 1947 to 1989.  The daughter of the ship's namesake, Mrs. Margaret Stennis-Womble, was the ship's sponsor. ''John C. Stennis'' was commissioned on 9 December 1995 at [[Naval Station Norfolk]], Virginia, and she conducted [[flight deck]] certification in January 1996. The first arrested landing was by a [[VX-23]] [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14]]B.  The ship conducted numerous [[Modern US Navy carrier air operations#Carrier qualifications|carrier qualifications]] and independent steaming exercises off the East Coast throughout the next two years.  Included among these events was the first carrier landing of an [[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]] on 18 January 1997.<ref>{{cite web |title=Namesake |url=https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-John-C-Stennis-CVN-74/About-Us/Namesake/ |website=www.airpac.navy.mil |access-date=11 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

===1998===
[[File:USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) and HMS Illustrious (R 06) in the Persian Gulf on April 9, 1998.jpg|thumb|USS ''John C. Stennis'' (Left) and the British {{sclass|Invincible|aircraft carrier|0}} {{HMS|Illustrious|R06|6}} (right) operating together, April 1998.]]

On 26 February 1998 with [[Carrier Air Wing Seven]] embarked, ''John C. Stennis'' left Norfolk for her maiden deployment, transiting the [[Suez Canal]] on 7 March and arriving in the [[Persian Gulf]] on 11 March 1998.  The ship traveled {{cvt|8020|nmi|lk=in}} in 274 hours, an average speed of {{convert|29.4|kn}} to relieve {{USS|George Washington|CVN-73|6}} in conducting [[Operation Southern Watch]] missions. ''John C. Stennis'' departed the Persian Gulf on 19 July 1998 for her new home port of [[Naval Air Station North Island]] in [[San Diego]], California, arriving on 26 August 1998. In October 1998, she entered a six-month maintenance and upgrade period at North Island, returning to sea in April 1999. During the maintenance period, a [[jet blast deflector]] collapsed, severely injuring two sailors.

===1999===
In May 1999, the ship ran aground in a shallow area adjacent to the turning basin near North Island.<ref>{{cite book |title=Japanese Morning Press Highlights |date=2005 |publisher=American Embassy, Tokyo, Public Affairs Section, Office of Translation and Media Analysis |page=63 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2q6AAAAIAAJ |access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref> Silt clogged the intake pipes to the steam condensing systems for the nuclear reactor plants, causing the carrier's two nuclear reactors to be shut down (one reactor by crew, the other automatically) for a period of 45 minutes. She was towed back to her pier for maintenance and observation for the next two days. The cleanup cost was about $2&nbsp;million.

===2000===
On 7 January 2000, ''John C. Stennis'' deployed to the Persian Gulf to relieve {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}} in Operation Southern Watch. During the deployment, the ship made port visits to South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Tasmania and Pearl Harbor, before returning to San Diego on 3 July 2000.

===2001===
On 21 May 2001, the ship served as "the world's largest and most expensive outdoor theater" for the world premiere of the Disney film ''[[Pearl Harbor (film)|Pearl Harbor]]''. More than 2,000 people attended the premiere on the ship, which had special grandstand seating and one of the world's largest movie screens assembled on the flight deck.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dao |first1=James |title=Carrier Turns Theater for Premiere of 'Pearl Harbor' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/22/us/carrier-turns-theater-for-premiere-of-pearl-harbor.html |access-date=15 October 2019 |work=New York Times |date=22 May 2001}}</ref>

Following the [[September 11 attacks]], ''John C. Stennis'' conducted [[Noble Eagle]] missions off the U.S. West Coast. In 2000 and 2001, ''John C. Stennis'' was part of [[Carrier Group 7]].

On 12 November 2001, two months earlier than scheduled, the ship left on her third deployment to the [[U.S. Fifth Fleet]] area of responsibility in support of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]], returning to San Diego on 28 May 2002. From June 2002 to January 2003, ''JCS'' underwent a seven-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA).

===2004===
From 24 May to 1 November 2004, ''John C. Stennis'' conducted her fourth major overseas deployment, participating in Exercise Northern Edge 2004 in the Gulf of Alaska, Rim of the Pacific (RimPac) Exercise off Hawaii, exercises with ''Kitty Hawk'' off Japan and goodwill visits to Japan, Malaysia and Western Australia.  Shortly after returning from deployment to San Diego, ''JCS'' changed her home port to [[Naval Station Bremerton]], Washington, on 19 January 2005.  Once at Bremerton, ''John C. Stennis'' underwent an 11-month docking planned incremental availability (DPIA), the first time she had been dry-docked since commissioning. Upgrades included a new mast. The new mast's structure is the first of its kind. A new type of steel alloy was used, making it stiffer and thicker than before. The new mast is also heavier and taller, allowing it to support new antennae the old mast would not have been able to support. Other upgrades included the installation of a new integrated bridge system in the pilothouse that will save manpower and provide state-of-the-art displays.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Gethings |title=Kitsap County Welcomes ''Stennis'' |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=16833 |id=NNS050129-02 |publisher=US Navy |date=29 January 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629060110/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=16833 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Flabi |title=''Stennis'' Enters Dry Dock |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=16703 |id=NNS050121-11 |publisher=US Navy |date=21 January 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629060212/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=16703 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Gabriel |last=Owens |title=''Stennis'' Raises New Mast with Tradition |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=18144 |id=NNS050504-03 |publisher=US Navy |date=4 May 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722214239/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=18144 |archive-date=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Krishna |last=Jackson |title=''Stennis'' Back in the Water |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=19885 |id=NNS050906-06 |publisher=US Navy |date=6 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722214245/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=19885 |archive-date=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Following the maintenance cycle and pre-deployment training exercises, the carrier returned to Bremerton, Washington, and the carrier was certified surge ready, meaning the ship maintained a high state of readiness in case of an unscheduled deployment.<ref>{{cite web |first=Christopher |last=Gethings |title=''Stennis'' Returns Home Surge Ready |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24737 |id=NNS060723-02 |publisher=USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs |date=23 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913104828/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24737 |archive-date=13 September 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===2007===
[[File:20070831-Stennis-Arrival.jpg|thumb|right|USS ''John C. Stennis'' arrives in Bremerton on 31 August 2007.]]

On 16 January 2007, the carrier and her group set sail for the Persian Gulf as part of an increase in US military presence. ''John C. Stennis'' arrived in the area on 19 February 2007, joining {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|6}} in the [[United States Fifth Fleet]] area of operations.<ref name="2007-02-20">{{cite news |last=Christensen |first=Nathan |title=USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Arrives in 5th Fleet |publisher=US Navy |date=20 February 2007 |url=http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2007/030.html |access-date=23 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311074931/http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2007/030.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=11 March 2007}}</ref> This marked the first time since 2003 that there were two [[aircraft carrier]] battle groups in the region simultaneously.

On 23 May 2007, ''John C. Stennis'', along with eight other warships including the aircraft carrier {{USS|Nimitz||2}} and amphibious assault ship {{USS|Bonhomme Richard|LHD-6|2}}, passed through the [[Strait of Hormuz]]. US Navy officials said it was the largest such move since 2003.<ref name="2005-05-28">{{cite news |title=Nine U.S. warships in Gulf for show of force |first=Mohammed |last=Abbas |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-usa-ships-idUSL2360749620070523 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=23 May 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016050349/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/23/us-gulf-usa-ships-idUSL2360749620070523 |archive-date=16 October 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 31 August 2007 ''John C. Stennis'' returned to Bremerton.

===2009===
''John C. Stennis'' departed Bremerton for a 6-month deployment to the western Pacific on 13 January 2009. On 24 April, the ship arrived in Singapore. That same day, one of the ship's sailors was crushed and killed while working from a small harbor boat to secure a drain that discharges oily water from the aircraft catapults.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stennis sailor killed in Singapore identified |first=Andrew |last=Scutro |url=http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2009/04/navy_stennis_sailor_killed_042909w/ |newspaper=[[Military Times]] |date=29 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001011654/http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2009/04/navy_stennis_sailor_killed_042909w/ |archive-date=1 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 29 April, the ship's executive officer, Commander David L. Burnham, was relieved by Rear Admiral Mark A. Vance over unspecified personal conduct.  Burnham was reassigned to a base in San Diego, pending an investigation.<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://www.newser.com/article/d97sbbho0/navy-cites-misconduct-relieves-uss-stennis-executive-officer-no-2-in-command-of-carrier.html |title=Navy cites misconduct, relieves USS Stennis' executive officer, No. 2 in command of carrier |date=30 April 2009 |newspaper=[[The Washington Times]] |df=dmy-all |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160521014622/http://www.newser.com/article/d97sbbho0/navy-cites-misconduct-relieves-uss-stennis-executive-officer-no-2-in-command-of-carrier.html |archive-date=21 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After participating in exercises with [[Japan Maritime Self Defense Force]] and the [[Republic of Korea]], as well as joint exercise Northern Edge 2009, ''John C. Stennis'' returned from deployment in early July 2009.  Carrier Air Wing 9 debarked on 6 July at NAS North Island,<ref name="CVW9">{{cite web |title=Carrier Air Wing 9 Completes 2009 Deployment |id=NNS090706-15 |date=6 July 2009 |first=Steve |last=Owsley |publisher=USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=46760 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718105610/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=46760 |archive-date=18 July 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> prior to the ship's arrival at her homeport of Bremerton on 10 July.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/07/ap_navy_stennis_returns_071009w/ |title=Stennis returns to Bremerton |date=10 July 2009 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=Navy Times}}</ref>

===2011===
[[File:US Navy 111218-N-BT887-061 An E-2C Hawkeye from the Golden Hawks of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 112 launches from the Nimitz-class aircra.jpg|thumb|right|Final flight over Iraq (18 December 2011)]]
On 30 March 2011, a VMFAT-101 F/A-18C Hornet suffered an uncontained catastrophic engine failure, exploded and caught fire just before launch from ''John C. Stennis'' about {{convert|100|mi|km}} off the coast of San Diego during launch and recovery training operations. The aircraft was at full power, in tension on the catapult when the accident occurred. Eleven flight deck crewmen were injured while the pilot was unhurt. There was no major damage to the carrier but the aircraft was a total loss.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two sailors remain in hospital after Stennis jet fire |first1=Karen |last1=Kucher |first2=Susan |last2=Shroder |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/mar/30/10-sailors-injured-in-jet-fire-on-carrier/ |newspaper=[[U-T San Diego]] |date=31 March 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018201719/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/mar/30/10-sailors-injured-in-jet-fire-on-carrier/ |archive-date=18 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 18 December 2011, the final command-and-control mission for U.S. forces over Iraq was flown by an E-2C Hawkeye (''pictured'') from [[VAW-112|Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112]] (VAW-112), catapulting off the carrier ''John C. Stennis'' at 7:32&nbsp;am and returning at 11:04 a.m, both local time.  This mission effectively ended U.S. naval support for [[Iraq War|Operation New Dawn]].<ref>{{cite web |title=USS ''John C. Stennis'' Launches Navy's Final Air Mission over Iraq |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=64502 |id=NNS111220-02 |publisher=USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=20 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307200752/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=64502 |archive-date=7 March 2014 }}</ref>

===2012===
On 3 January 2012, Iranian General [[Ataollah Salehi]] warned ''John C. Stennis'' "not to return to the Persian Gulf."<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran army chief warns US aircraft carrier not to return to Persian Gulf in new tough rhetoric |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/at-end-of-drill-iran-army-chief-warns-us-aircraft-carrier-not-to-return-to-persian-gulf/2012/01/03/gIQAnUWjXP_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104075700/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/at-end-of-drill-iran-army-chief-warns-us-aircraft-carrier-not-to-return-to-persian-gulf/2012/01/03/gIQAnUWjXP_story.html |archive-date=4 January 2012 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=3 January 2012}}</ref> The United States dismissed the warning.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/u-s-dismisses-iranian-warning-against-navy-carrier-in-gulf |title=U.S. Dismisses Iranian Warning Against Navy Carrier in Gulf |date=3 January 2012 |work=[[Fox News]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016050349/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/03/pentagon-officials-dismiss-iranian-warning-against-us-carrier-in-gulf/ |archive-date=16 October 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 7 January, ''John C. Stennis'' led the rescue of an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, ''Al Mulahi,'' following her seizure by pirates. The pirates ambushed the ship and Iranian flag to search for other ships to hijack, while holding the original crew hostage. When some of the pirates attempted to board a Bahamian-flagged cargo ship, ''Sunshine'', she radioed for assistance.  ''John C. Stennis'' dispatched a helicopter and cruiser to assist. A boarding party captured the pirates who attacked ''Sunshine'', fed them, then released them temporarily.  A helicopter then secretly followed the pirates back to their mother ship, ''Al Mulahi''.  Crew from the destroyer {{USS|Kidd|DDG-100|6}} then boarded the fishing vessel (upon permission in Urdu from the captain), and arrested all of the pirates with no casualties.<ref>{{cite news |title=For Iranians Waylaid by Pirates, U.S. to the Rescue |first=C. J. |last=Chivers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/world/middleeast/for-iranians-held-by-pirates-us-to-the-rescue.html?_r=1 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=6 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228174403/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/world/middleeast/for-iranians-held-by-pirates-us-to-the-rescue.html?_r=1 |archive-date=28 December 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 2 March 2012, ''John C. Stennis'' returned home from her 7-month deployment to homeport Bremerton, Washington.

On 7 July 2012, crew members were informed that ''John C. Stennis'' would be returning to the Middle East in August, much sooner than expected.<ref>{{cite news |last=Friedrich |first=Ed |title=USS Stennis going right back to Mideast |url=http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jul/09/uss-stennis-going-right-back-to-mideast/ |work=[[Kitsap Sun]] |date=9 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713032918/http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jul/09/uss-stennis-going-right-back-to-mideast/ |archive-date=13 July 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Parrish |first=Karen |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/id/117633/ |title=Sailors: Early Deployment Tough, but 'We're Needed' |agency=[[American Forces Press Service]] |date=24 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414215854/http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=117633 |archive-date=14 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 27 August 2012, ''John C. Stennis'' departed to the Middle East originally for six months, but was extended to eight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/where.htm |title=Where are the Carriers? |website=GlobalSecurity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130172825/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/where.htm |archive-date=30 January 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===2013===

On 1 April 2013, the ship arrived at [[Changi Naval Base]] in [[Singapore]]. Local [[Institute of Technical Education|ITE]] students were invited for a guided tour inside the aircraft carrier.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/aircraft-carrier-uss-john-c-stennis-docks-in-singapore-1365054003-slideshow/ |title=Aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis docks in Singapore |date=4 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101195045/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/aircraft-carrier-uss-john-c-stennis-docks-in-singapore-1365054003-slideshow/ |archive-date=1 January 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Following that the ship sailed to Pearl Harbor, where she performed a week long [[tiger cruise]] {{clarify|date=October 2017}} to San Diego <ref>{{cite web|url=http://carlsondesign.com/projects/tiger-cruise-on-the-john-c-stennis-cvn-74-aircraft-carrier/|title=Carlson Design – Tiger Cruise on the John C Stennis CVN 74 Aircraft Carrier|date=6 May 2013 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117123156/http://carlsondesign.com/projects/tiger-cruise-on-the-john-c-stennis-cvn-74-aircraft-carrier/ |archive-date=17 November 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

At 12:45 on 3 May 2013, ''John C. Stennis'' arrived at her home port of [[Naval Base Kitsap]] in [[Bremerton, Washington]], the completion of a ten-month, {{convert|66,000|mi|km}} deployment to the western [[Pacific Ocean]]. During this deployment, squadron aircraft flew more than 1,300 sorties from the carrier's deck in the war in [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/may/03/uss-john-c-stennis-is-home/?partner=yahoo_feeds#ixzz2SGSDFRZM |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615184420/http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/may/03/uss-john-c-stennis-is-home/?partner=yahoo_feeds%23ixzz2SGSDFRZM |archive-date=15 June 2013 |title=USS John C. Stennis is home |newspaper=[[Kitsap Sun]] |date=3 May 2013 }}</ref>

On 27 June, the ship entered Dry Dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) to begin her scheduled 16 month Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA). Work included preserving and painting the ship's hull, upgrading the propulsion plant, refurbishing the crew's berthing compartments, and a complete replacement of the ship's computer networks and work stations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/040009|title=Stennis Enters Dry Dock|access-date=23 March 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216160512/https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/040009|archive-date=16 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===2014===
''John C. Stennis'' completed her Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) on 5 November 2014. After a six-day sea trial, the ship certified on 10 November as a Naval Operational asset.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/147498/dpia-complete-stennis-looks-ahead|title=DPIA complete: Stennis looks ahead|work=DVIDS|access-date=23 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323234247/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/147498/dpia-complete-stennis-looks-ahead|archive-date=23 March 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===2015===

In mid-January 2015, ''John C. Stennis'' departed her home port of [[Naval Base Kitsap]] in [[Bremerton, Washington]], and arrived at [[Naval Magazine Indian Island]] to load munitions prior to departing for San Diego to receive aircraft and another 2,000 sailors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ptleader.com/news/update-stennis-sailors-get-earlier-ride-into-port-townsend/article_0487d8f6-9b8c-11e4-a5e9-f74d0cb427a1.html |title=UPDATE: Stennis departs Port Townsend for warmer waters |website=ptleader.com |date=16 January 2015 |access-date=2 October 2015}}</ref> On 1 September, the carrier arrived back at Bremerton, Washington.

===2016===
On 15 January 2016, ''John C. Stennis'' left [[Naval Base Kitsap]] for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=92735 |title=USS John C. Stennis Deploys |website=navy.mil |date=17 January 2016 |access-date=20 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121043905/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=92735 |archive-date=21 January 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 19 April she arrived to Singapore for a regularly scheduled port visit after completing an annual bilateral training exercise in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/us-navy-s-great-green/2712978.html|title=US Navy's 'Great Green Fleet' docks in Singapore|website=channelnewsasia.com|access-date=6 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414035814/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/us-navy-s-great-green/2712978.html|archive-date=14 April 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 26 April 2016, China denied ''John C. Stennis'', and her escort ships, permission to make a port visit to [[Hong Kong]].<ref>China denies Hong Kong visit request by U.S. carrier group: Pentagon. Reuters. World | Sat 30 April 2016 2:51am EDT</ref> On 10 August, the carrier arrived in San Diego, California for offload and disembarkation of CVW-9.  On 14 August, ''John C. Stennis'' arrived back to homeport, Naval Base Kitsap, finishing a Western Pacific deployment and RIMPAC exercise.

===2017===
From February to August 2017, ''John C. Stennis'' was in overhaul at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

===2018===
On 2 August 2018, the Navy announced that ''John C. Stennis'' would change homeport to [[Norfolk, Virginia]] in advance of her refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding. {{USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70|6}} will move from San Diego to [[Naval Base Kitsap]] to go through a period of maintenance at [[Puget Sound]] and {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} will replace ''Carl Vinson'' at San Diego.<ref>{{cite web | author= U.S. Navy | title= Three Aircraft Carriers to Change Homeports | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=106596 | work= NNS180802-19 | publisher= from Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs | date= 2 August 2018 | access-date= 2 August 2018 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180804200930/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=106596 | archive-date= 4 August 2018 }}</ref>

On 12 December 2018, ''John C. Stennis'' launched her first combat sorties in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn74history.htm |title=USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) history |access-date=10 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018050914/http://uscarriers.net/cvn74history.htm |archive-date=18 October 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 29 December 2018, ''John C. Stennis'' launched her first combat sorties in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria.<ref>{{cite web | title=USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) history | url=http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn74history.htm }}</ref>

===2019===
On 16 May 2019, ''John C. Stennis'' arrived in her new home port of Norfolk, Virginia in preparation for her [[refueling and complex overhaul]] (RCOH) in 2020. RCOH is expected to be completed sometime in the mid 2020s.

On 16 Dec 2019, ''John C. Stennis'' hosted a plank owners reunion onboard in Norfolk, VA.

===2021===
On 7 May 2021, ''John C. Stennis'' went into Newport News for her midlife [[RCOH|Refuel and Complex Overhaul]] (RCOH). The overhaul is expected to be completed by 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2024/06/18/carrier-uss-john-c-stennis-overhaul-delayed-work-will-take-more-than-5-years-to-complete|title=Carrier USS John C. Stennis Overhaul Delayed, Work Will Take More than 5 Years to Complete|publisher=usni.org|date=18 June 2024|access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref>

==Ship's seal==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2012}}
[[File:USS John Stennis CVN-74 Crest.png|thumb|right]]

''John C. Stennis''{{'}}s seal was produced from the combined efforts of several crew members with historical help from Stennis Center for Public Service, [[John C. Stennis Space Center]] and United States Senate Historian. The seal implies peace through strength, just as Senator [[John C. Stennis]] was referred to as an "unwavering advocate of peace through strength" by President [[Ronald Reagan]], when the ship's name was announced in June 1988.

The circular shape signifies the ''Nimitz''-class aircraft carrier's unique capability to circle the world without refueling while providing a forward presence from the sea. The predominant colors are red, white, blue and gold, the same as those of the United States and the Navy. The outer border, taken from one version of a [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] crest, represents the strength through unity of the ship's crew. The four gold bands and eight ties denote John C. Stennis' four decades (41 years) in the Senate and the eight presidents he served with, from President [[Harry S. Truman|Truman]] to President Reagan. The seven stars in the blue border represent his seven terms in the Senate and characterize ''John C. Stennis'' as the seventh ''Nimitz''-class aircraft carrier. The red and white stripes inside the blue border represent the American flag and the American people ''John C. Stennis'' serves. They also honor the courage and sacrifice of the United States' armed forces.<ref>{{cite web |title=Largest U.S. Navy Veteran Directory + Service History Archive {{!}} Find People You Served With {{!}} Navy.TogetherWeServed.com |url=https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ViewUnitDecoration&type=DecorationExt&ID=4012279 |website=navy.togetherweserved.com |access-date=11 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

The eagle and shield is a representation of the gilt eagle and shield overlooking the Old Senate Chamber. The shield represents the United States of America. The twenty stars represent the US's twentieth state, [[Mississippi]], the home of John C. Stennis. The three arrows in the eagle's talons symbolize the ship's and air wing's ability to project power. The burst of light emanating from the shield, representative of the emergence of a new nation in the United States Senate Seal, portrays the birth of over 25 major [[Naval aviation|Naval Aviation]] programs under Senator Stennis' leadership, including all aircraft carriers from {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59|6}} to {{USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN-75|6}}, and aircraft from the [[F-4 Phantom]] to the [[F/A-18 Hornet]]. The eagle is representative of John C. Stennis' stature in the Senate, where he was respected and admired as a "soaring eagle" by some of his colleagues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Largest U.S. Navy Veteran Directory + Service History Archive {{!}} Find People You Served With {{!}} Navy.TogetherWeServed.com |url=https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ViewUnitDecoration&type=DecorationExt&ID=4012279 |website=navy.togetherweserved.com |access-date=11 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

The ship herself is pictured in the seal. On the edges of the flight deck are the words "Honor, Courage, Commitment" which are the United States Navy's Core Values.

The seal, after selection by the ship's crew, was submitted to Mrs. Margaret Stennis Womble, the ship's sponsor and daughter of Senator Stennis, and to Mrs. [[John Hampton Stennis]], the matron of honor and wife of Senator Stennis' son, for their approval. In February 1995 they approved the design.

==Ship's name controversy==
The ship's name was originally approved by then-president Ronald Reagan in 1988. As of 2021, the ship's name was the subject of renewed controversy due to Senator Stennis's outspoken opposition to civil rights and racial equality, and his extensive record of legislative support for racial segregation. The controversy is part of a larger reassessment of military bases, ships and other U.S. military assets named after Confederate generals and other persons associated with slavery and racial segregation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/controversy-over-john-c-stennis-aircraft-carrier-name/ar-BB15ToII |title=Controversy Over John C. Stennis Aircraft Carrier Name |work=[[MSN]] |first=Bridget |last=Naso |date=June 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/06/23/john-c-stennis-was-an-ardent-segregationist-is-it-time-to-change-the-carriers-name/ |title=John C. Stennis was an ardent segregationist. Is it time to change the carrier's name? |newspaper=[[Navy Times]] |first=Geoff |last=Ziezulewicz |date=June 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/01/08/pentagon-begins-process-purge-confederate-names-military-bases-property.html |title=Pentagon Begins Process to Purge Confederate Names from Military Bases, Property |work=[[military.com]] |first=Matthew |last=Cox |date=January 8, 2021}}</ref>

== In fiction ==
John C. Stennis was used and featured in [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]] and [[World War Z (film)|World War Z]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-23 |title=Military unites with Hollywood on 'Transformers' |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/119940/military-unites-with-hollywood-on-transformers/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/119940/military-unites-with-hollywood-on-transformers/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Air Force |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-11-07 |title=''Transformers 2'' Wrap Filming on USS ''John C Stennis'' |url=http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=14408 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228084658/http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=14408 |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |access-date=2008-11-07 |publisher=Seibertron.com}} {{Better source needed|reason=[[WP:FANSITE]]|date=December 2022}}</ref>

The ship carried a dead [[kaiju]] in [[Pacific Rim]].

It was briefly featured in the Intro to [[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]].

==See also==
* [[List of aircraft carriers]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)}}
* [http://www.stennis.navy.mil/ Official  website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514102037/http://www.stennis.navy.mil/ |date=14 May 2016 }}
* Story Archive – U.S. Navy – [https://web.archive.org/web/20150910041900/http://www.navy.mil/local/story_archive.asp?id=84 USS ''John C. Stennis'' (CVN 74)]
* ''John C. Stennis'' at [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/batgru-74-refs.htm globalsecurity.org]
* [http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn74history.htm USS ''John C. Stennis'' history at U.S. Carriers]
*[http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=206 This American Life: Somewhere in the Arabian Sea Episode 206] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421210852/http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=206 |date=21 April 2009 }}
* USS ''John C. Stennis'' (CVN-74) command histories – [[Naval History & Heritage Command]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151016050349/http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/j/JohnCStennis.html ''John C. Stennis'' on Naval History and Heritage Command]

{{Nimitz class aircraft carrier}}
{{Nuclear surface ships}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:John C. Stennis (Cvn 74)}}
[[Category:Nimitz-class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:1993 ships]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:Nuclear-powered ships of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Newport News, Virginia]]
[[Category:John C. Stennis]]