HONG KONG: More than 5,000 US sailors hit Hong Kong’s shops, bars and restaurants this weekend in the knowledge that their next stop could be war with Iraq.

But the USS Constellation aircraft carrier’s youthful crew — average age 22 years and six months — said they were ready for action, as they queued up for shore leave one month after sailing from San Diego.

The 88,000 tons USS Constellation, known as the ‘Flagship of America’, will join the Fifth Fleet in the Gulf after its port call here.

An airman said the atmosphere on the ship had not changed despite the growing likelihood of war.

“I look forward to everything ending the way it’s been designed to,” he said, referring to the possible combat operations in the Gulf.

Older hands said the ships were ready for war every time they put out to sea, no matter what the political situation.

“It doesn’t matter — we get ready for it regardless,” said Chief Petty Officer Dionides Cruz, 46, of San Diego.

Ship’s psychologist Captain Dennis Wood, charged with keeping the sailors on an emotional even keel, said special programmes and counselling were freely available.

He said the biggest problem among the crew was not war-anxiety but homesickness.

“We have a lot of sailors talk to us about life not being worth living if they have to stay out here, so we have preventative programmes and reactive programmes.”

Admiral Barry Costello, who commands the Constellation battle group comprising the 41-year-old carrier and its 72 aircraft, two battle cruisers, two guided missile destroyers, a guided missile frigate and a combat support ship, praised the 5,200-strong crew.

“The ship is only as good as the people that are on it and the sailors that are here have dedicated themselves to being part of this organization, they do it extremely well and we’re very proud of them,” said Costello, after dropping heavy hints that the group could soon be in the firing line.—AFP