SERVING U.S. INTERESTS WITH NAVY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

ONBOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON -- Ryan Strack is giving his family a unique present this holiday season. While they're busy carving the turkey and giving thanks, Strack will be protecting those things they're thankful for ... with American naval forces on the Mediterranean.

Strack, son of Terry and Sharyn Strack of Jackson, Mo. (63755) serves with Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 251 while the squadron is deployed onboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington. George Washington recently left its homeport to take station in the Mediterranean Sea.

For Strack, there were many elements that influenced his decision to join the Navy: "I joined the Navy to get discipline and to see the world. I have a lot of friends and family who have served in the military and I just wanted to pitch in and do my part."

While a major role of the Navy is to protect the United States from our enemies in time of war, the sea service also supports U.S. foreign policy in time of peace. Ships like George Washington are forward-deployed throughout the world to maintain a U.S. presence ready-on-arrival for providing rapid response in time of crises.

Carriers are often called America's most flexible tool for diplomacy because of their ability to tailor a response for any crisis -- from a full air strike, to evacuation of American citizens to search-and-rescue operations. Their forward-deployed nature means Sailors like the 21-year-old Strack are often the first to arrive in those situations.

Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are the largest and most formidable ships ever to sail the oceans. Measuring more than three football fields in length and as tall as a 24-story building, George Washington will serve as a highly-visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and if deterrence fails, they offer the most versatile and powerful weapons systems available.

At the heart of the platform are more than 80 aircraft which make up George Washington's air wing. Capable of launching and trapping aircraft under most any weather condition, these aircraft offer multipurpose strike capability. That capability will soon include the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the next generation of night-strike fighter/attack aircraft.

Below the flight deck, George Washington incorporates the latest technology in fiber optic networks, state-of-the-art computer-based weapons, avionics, navigation/communications systems and the medical department.

Strack, a petty officer third class works as a hospital corpsman for his squadron: "So far, the most exciting thing I've ever done was to deploy with my squadron onboard this ship. With more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines onboard, medical stays busy -everyday it's non-stop.

Strack has found that first and foremost what makes a ship work is the teamwork involved in constant training. "The most important thing I've learned is to have a good attitude and be prepared to serve," he points out. "Without it I wouldn't be able to do my job, and that's to make sure my Marines up on the flight deck who prep the jets stay healthy so they can do the best job possible."

The Navy has been a positive influence on Strack, so much so, that in 18 months at two commands he has been selected Junior Sailor of the Quarter, an achievement he considers his greatest. "My personal successes come from learning from and respecting people from every walk of life," he says. "That's a valuable lesson the Navy teaches."

When he's not at sea or standing watch in port, Strack loves to hunt, fish, water ski and run in the Beaufort, S.C. area where the squadron is home ported.

While it's not be all fun being away from home during the holiday season, for Strack, his squadron and the rest of the George Washington crew, it's just part of the job.