DCM SADIQ FIRST DIPLOMAT TO LAND AND TAKE OFF FROM NUCLEAR POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER.

WASHINGTON, Sept 13 (APP)- The acting Ambassador of Pakistan, Mohammad Sadiq Monday visited the Norfolk Naval Base, attended a briefing by officers, landed and took off from the nuclear powered Harry S. Truman Aircraft Carrier in the open seas.

The landing and take off on an Aircraft Carrier is seen as a singular honor and an unusual friendly gesture. Mr. Sadiq has become the first diplomat to be invited to experience the arrested landing and catapulted take off from an aircraft carrier

The envoy undertook the visit at the invitation of U.S. Secretary Navy, Gordon England, and was accompanied by the Air and Naval Attache, Group Captain Azhar Hasan.

Norfolk is the biggest naval base in the world. According to sources, on arrival at the base, Mr. Sadiq was received by Vice Admiral Keven Cosgriff, met officers and attended a briefing. He later left for Harry Truman Aircraft Carrier, landing on the Carrier after half an hour's flight. He visited the Control Room and bridge. He also attended a briefing by the Naval officers on the deck and witnessed F-18s, F-14s and C-2As in action- i.e. their landings and take offs.

Mr. Mohammad Sadiq attended a lunch on board the ship, hosted by Commanding Officer J. P. Gigliotti, in the Officers' Mess. Harry S. Truman is nuclear-powered, and has a total of 6,500 crew members on board. The 'arrested landing', as it is called, and the 'catapult take off' are simply amazing, precise and minute. The landing process is effected through deceleration which brings the aircraft to touch and halt position in two seconds, from a speed of 105 to zero mph; while the take off takes place by acceleration from zero to 128 mph, in three seconds- an experience to feel and tell.

The Norfolk Naval Base is part of the Atlantic Command of the U.S. Armed Forces which has a fleet of 157 ships, out of which, 7 are aircraft carriers, 37 submarines, and has a total strength of 115,795 soldiers.

Images-Visit of aircraft carrier