Buffalo Grove native serves aboard 'Mighty IKE' carrier
A Buffalo Grove native is serving aboard one of the world's largest warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Nixon, a 2008 Wheeling High School graduate, joined the Navy seven years ago.
"I wanted to do more with my life, and I also wanted to continue my education," said Nixon. "Joining the Navy changed my life."
According to Nixon, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Buffalo Grove.
"Be true to yourself and just be who you are," said Nixon.
"Mighty IKE" is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier named for Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of four five-star generals of the Army and a hero of World War II. He would later serve as the 34th president of the United States.
"President Eisenhower is remembered for his enduring virtues of duty, honor, integrity and decency," said Capt. Paul F. Campagna, commanding officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
"We see these every day in the content of character and quality of work shown by sailors assigned to 'Mighty IKE' as they keep this city on a ship operating safely."
The "Mighty IKE," like each of the Navy's aircraft carriers, represents an enduring investment in America's security. Each carrier is built to provide a formidable response to just about any global crisis. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 fighter attack jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea and can provide over the horizon and from the sea combat air power anywhere in the world within 12 days.
This inherent flexibility is why aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis and a proven solution for protecting America.
"The 'Mighty IKE' crew launches and recovers aircraft at sea every day, and there are thousands of tasks that make this possible," Campagna said. "Whether the 4,500 sailors on board work to provide power to the ship, repair aircraft, steer IKE through congested waters, prepare over 14,000 meals a day, work in laundry or keep our waste water moving, every job is critical and must be performed well for this ship to execute assigned missions from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean, and everywhere in between.
"No other nation can do what we do at the pace we do it, and it is because of the incredible men and women from all over that volunteer to serve and represent the best of our namesake and our country."
Homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, Eisenhower is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. It has two pressurized water reactors producing more than 260,000 shaft horsepower that drive four massive propellers at a max speed in excess of 35 mph.
Serving in the Navy means Nixon is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America's focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
"We protect our loved ones and fight for our country," said Nixon.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Nixon as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance.
"I am here to serve in honor to everyone back home," Nixon said. "Having the opportunity to meet new people and create a better future for myself is a blessing."