PERSIAN GULF: ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS INDEPENDENCE

Описание: (30 Mar 1998) English/Nat

The relative ease with which the U-N inspectors are being granted access to the controversial presidential sites in Iraq has lowered tensions in the Persian Gulf.

But sailors aboard the U-S-S Independence aircraft carrier stationed in the Gulf are trying to remain as focused as ever.

With no clear objective in sight now, that's becoming harder by the day.

Since the signing of an agreement between Iraq and the U-N to allow unrestricted weapons inspections, officers have to work harder to keep the men focused on their mission.

The U-S-S Independence has a crew of five thousand, most of whom work 12 to 16 hours a day.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are maintaining our forces here at the ready, taking a very steady strain and keeping ourselves prepared for combat if that were to become and eventuality and we will continue to monitor the activities on the ground in Iraq and we'll move forward based on what we see and what we verify and not based on our perceptions or feelings about what the intent is for the future."
SUPER CAPTION: Rear Admiral Charles W. Moore

As inspections continue in Iraq, a U-S military strike seems less and less likely, making some believe it is no longer logical for the aircraft carrier to remain in the area.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"If we're not out here to scare Iraq, then there's no reason for us to be out here...and we're ready to go spend some time back in Japan, see our loved ones and things.
SUPER CAPTION: Matt Breighly, sailor on USS Independence

Most feel their presence in the Persian Gulf has made a difference.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"First of all I think it's great that they cooled down. I'd like to think that the Indy (USS Independent) battle group participation played a key role in the comic attentions and as it stands right now we're flying routine missions and supportive operation southern watch."
SUPER CAPTION: Commander Gary Mace, commander on USS Independence

With no end in sight to the U-S military build-up in the area, sailors try to get over their homesickness by talking to their loved ones on the phone.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Keep trying to keep focus, get our heads too far ahead of us until we go home, we want to pay attention to what we have to do, but I know that everyone wants to get back to see their families, me especially I want to see my girl."
SUPER CAPTION: Brian Fitzgerald, sailor on USS Independence

Facilities on board provide sailors with ways to pass their free time.

Although it's a good amusement, it doesn't make them forget how much they miss the people they left behind.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I miss my mom and dad and my family a great deal. I just, I guess when I'm away there's you know certain things you do, certain things you don't do, and this out here I'd say really good, pretty way to pass my time to let things kinds ease off after I get off work."
SUPER CAPTION: Glenn Moody, sailor on the USS Independence

No one can really tell how long it'll be before these people can go back home, but with the Clinton administration suspicious of Iraqi intentions, it doesn't look like it's any time soon.

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