[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 172 (Friday, October 2, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5660-H5661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING CREW OF THE MIGHTY IKE

  (Mr. COURTNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute the extraordinary 
efforts of the officers and crew of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower 
Carrier Strike Group.
  These dedicated sailors deployed in late January, navigating over 
60,000 nautical miles from Norfolk, Virginia, to the Arabian Sea, 
conducting 166 sorties and 1,135 flight hours in support of Operation 
Freedom's Sentinel in the Arabian Sea.
  This group deserves special recognition for their successful 
deployment in which COVID-19 restrictions presented the traditional 
port visits.
  Upon returning to homeport on August 10, the crew of the Mighty Ike 
was underway for an astounding 206 consecutive days.
  To the officers and crew, including two constituents from eastern 
Connecticut, Petty Officer Ashley Maratta of Amston and Lieutenant 
Charles

[[Page H5661]]

Peck of Old Lyme, an aviator on his first carrier deployment who I 
proudly nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy in 2011, I say Bravo Zulu, 
the sea service signal for job well done. Thank you all for your 
service.

                          ____________________