U.S. Navy Airman Thomas Neu completes mission aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

Norfolk, Va. — U.S. Navy Airman Thomas Neu recently returned to Norfolk, Va., aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, completing the maiden combat deployment of the newest and largest aircraft carrier currently in the Navy. The USS Bush conducted operations in the Persian Gulf in support of Iraqi Operation New Dawn and supplied combat operations in the Arabian Sea in support of Afghanistan Operation Enduring Freedom. Neu is attached to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 (VAW-124). While on board the USS Bush, Neu was assigned to the carrier’s flight deck and was involved in handling and maneuvering squadron aircraft. Neu, a 2006 graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School, trained as a plane captain and was instrumental in the safe catapult takeoff and arrested landing of aircraft on the ship. He is currently at home base with VAW-124 at Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Va. He is the son of Jeff and Kathy Neu of Harriman and the nephew of Joseph Neu, who served as a U.S. Navy Aircrewman during the Viet Nam War.