Efredmidis part of final voyage for world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Telly J. Efremidis, son of Sheila Briggs of Andover, and John Efremidis, of North Easton, along with 5,500 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) recently arrived in Norfolk, Va., following a seven-and-a-half-month deployment supporting operations in the Mediterranean and the Arabian Seas.
USS Enterprise’s return to Norfolk was the 25th and final homecoming in her 51 years of distinguished service. The aircraft carrier was scheduled to be inactivated Dec. 1, in a ceremony at Norfolk Naval Station.
While deployed, Enterprise CSG served in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR), conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During her 238 days away from Norfolk, “Big E, “ as Enterprise is affectionately known, safely steamed 80,968 miles and Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1) flew more than 8,000 sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and exercises in the 5th and 6th Fleet AORs.
Enterprise was commissioned Nov. 25, 1961 as the eighth ship to bear the name Enterprise. Big E was the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. During her 51 years of service, Enterprise deployed 25 times and participated in every major conflict since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The December inactivation ceremony was expected to be the last official public event for Enterprise, and was to serve as a celebration of life for the ship and the more than 100,000 Sailors who have served aboard it.
Efremidis is a 2004 graduate of Methuen High School of Methuen, Mass. and joined the Navy in September 2008.
Johnson voted captain of BC rowing
Jennifer Johnson, Andover High School class of 2009, was voted captain of the Boston College Div. 1 women’s varsity rowing team earlier this year. She also finished with the fastest time in the women’s single at the Princeton University 3-Mile Chase this fall.
