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American Morning

Two Squadrons Serving Aboard USS Roosevelt Coming Home

Aired March 26, 2002 - 09:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, two squadrons serving aboard the USS Roosevelt in the Arabian Sea are coming home and getting some well-earned rest. A heavy fog was delaying their return earlier. Expected at around 10:30 Eastern Time.

We're going to check now with CNN's Bob Franken, who join us again from the Naval station in Norfolk, Virginia.

Good morning, Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.

And the irony is that the planes here, the Hawkeyes, like the one in back of me, can see through just about anything at great distances, but they still can't overcome the fog that we're having this morning. So 10:30, the scheduled arrival time, which would be about an hour late. That's the squadron landing here. We're at Norfolk naval base.

Also there's a squadron of F-14s, the attack jets that are going to be flying in nearby at Oceana. Other planes from the Roosevelt aircraft carrier, which is home to all of them. Other planes are going to different bases around the country. The Roosevelt itself with about 7,000 crew members will be steaming into port tomorrow after more than six months at see for a huge reunion. This is sort of the advance here, where the families of those who are arriving in the advance of planes will be greeting their loved ones.

Now this of course id modern times, so we have a husband up. You are also a member of the military. You're a petty officer first class. It's Michael Johnson.

MICHAEL JOHNSON, U.S NAVY: Yes.

FRANKEN: And your wife is petty officer second class Christy Johnson. And this is not a feminist issue. This, of course, is your ranking in the Navy. You're also in your civilian clothes, because you have another function. You volunteer as an ombudsman. Tell me about all of that.

First of all, let's talk about the anticipation of your wife coming home.

JOHNSON: I can't wait. Definitely ready for her to come home. She's coming home to hero's welcome that she certainly well deserved. An ombudsman is a direct liaison between the commanding officer of the squadron and the families that are left back here, and what I do is I'm a resource manager and referral person, and I take care of any emergencies that come up or any problems that come up. I'm supposed to be able to take care of it.

FRANKEN: Usually, the picture is of the lonely wife who maybe the children waiting at home for someone to arrive. I assume you have the same types of emotion?

JOHNSON: Pretty much. For me, it was a different perspective. I've already made 10 deployments, so this is the first time I've ever been on the other side of the fence, and it's something unique. I learned a lot about what it takes to be back here and stuff to take care of, and you know, balancing the checkbook and all that. I kind of said at one time this only way to contribute, because they won't let me -- they won't let me go out there and play anymore. I wanted to go play, but they said no, so,

FRANKEN: And the people who are waiting here today will have something unique themselves, the unique pleasure of welcoming home people they love, people they have not seen for over six months -- Anderson.

COOPER: Thanks, Bob. Definitely a sign of the times, a husband waiting for his wife to come home from war. Pretty interesting.

Thanks a lot, Bob.

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