THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 29, 1995 TAG: 9508290283
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Aircraft from the carrier Theodore Roosevelt are maintaining a critical eye toward the latest flare-up in Bosnia, says its battle group commander, but plans remain for an ``on-time'' return home to East Coast ports next month.
Rear Adm. William J. Fallon, commander of Carrier Group Eight, said in a telephone interview from his flagship Monday that the shelling of a Sarajevo marketplace earlier in the day disrupted what had been several weeks of relative peace. At least 35 people were killed Monday.
``We are keeping a very, very close eye on it,'' said Fallon, responsible for the 12,000 sailors and Marines aboard 14 ships - 10 of them Norfolk-based.
``We still have several of our aircraft committed (to the region). So we are watching it very closely. It is pretty volatile.''
The Theodore Roosevelt, which has been supplying aircraft in Operation Deny Flight over Bosnia, left Haifa, Israel, during the weekend and is heading toward Greece, nearer the Adriatic Sea and Bosnia.
However, Fallon said it will have to take ``something pretty major'' to force the battle group to change its plans and delay its homecoming.
``Everyone, from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . . . on down, is bent on getting us back on time,'' he said. ``Except for a couple of storms in the Atlantic, I see no reason right now for anything delaying us.''
The United Nations has not announced whether it would respond with air strikes in retaliation for Monday's shelling. Instead, it has called for additional attempts to get the warring factions to the peace table.
The Theodore Roosevelt battle group, including the amphibious ready group led by the assault ship Kearsarge, is scheduled to return to East Coast ports Sept. 21 and 22.
Those ships' relief, led by the carrier America and assault ship Wasp, left East Coast ports Monday for the Mediterranean. They are expected to meet in about 10 to 12 days for the changeover.
Fallon suggested that, based on his battle group's experience, the America flotilla can expect a busy six months.
His ships operated throughout the Mediterranean, into the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Some also entered the Black Sea. Their concerns stretched from Iraq to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Despite complicated missions, frequent changes in plans and adverse climates in some areas, the battle group has been fortunate, having few accidents.
One sailor drowned in port, and the air crew in one plane crash was recovered relatively unharmed. There have been no other significant accidents.
``We've had a lot of good fortune and the good Lord has been looking out for a lot of folks,'' said Fallon. ``You have to pay attention to what you do.
``But we have managed to be pretty lucky otherwise; knock on wood, or I guess metal out here.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by BILL TIERNAN
Hafida Niedt of Virginia Beach waves to husband Doug, a petty
officer second class, as the America departs Monday. With her is
son Douglas, 5.
The America, commissioned in 1965, left Monday for the Mediterranean
Sea. The carrier is to be retired when it returns in February.
Above, Rowena Heck of Chesapeake waves a shirt from the dock at
Norfolk Naval Station. Her husband, Lt. Robert Heck, is the ship's
services officer. At left, Charlotte and Gerald Dulley of Virginia
Beach say goodbye near Pier 11. Gerald Dulley, a petty officer third
class, works on the carrier's flight deck.[color photo appears o n
B1]
KEYWORDS: DEPLOYMENT by CNB