Sailors assigned to Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) and the embarked air wing of Service Air Wing (CVW) 17 returned house with the arrival of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in San Diego. Nimitz will depart San Diego for its return to homeport in Bremerton, Washington at a later date.
Hawaii-based ships connected to Service Strike Group (CSG) 11, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), returned to homeport on June 20 and 27, respectively.
“For seven months, the Nimitz Service Strike Group demonstrated our ironclad dedication to companions and allies within the Indo-Pacific area,” mentioned Rear Adm. Jennifer Couture, commander, CSG-11. “Throughout this deployment, Sailors of each rank and fee displayed a vigorous work ethic and a humble devotion to responsibility and I need to thank them and their households for his or her sacrifice. I’m humbled to serve alongside decided professionals and observe their excellence at each degree. Our strike group returns house stronger, smarter, and extra resilient than ever earlier than.”
Whereas within the U.S. seventh Fleet AO, CSG-11 carried out deterrence and presence operations; multinational workout routines; built-in multi-domain coaching; long-range maritime strike workout routines; anti-submarine warfare; info warfare operations; air protection operations; a number of ship navigation; and formation maneuvering and refueling-at-sea operations. U.S. seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet.
Nimitz executed six port calls – Guam; Singapore; Busan, South Korea; Laem Shabang, Thailand; Sasebo, Japan and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii – and hosted two formal “Large High” receptions in South Korea and Thailand. The plane service additionally embarked international dignitaries, army officers, ambassadors, and worldwide media, and operated with the joint drive and several other nations, together with Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Philippines, Republic of Korea and Singapore. Alongside allies and companions, the Nimitz CSG’s presence in U.S. seventh Fleet bolstered the US’ dedication to fly, sail, and function wherever worldwide regulation permits in assist of a free and open Indo-Pacific area.
Nimitz – the oldest-serving U.S commissioned plane service on this planet – accomplished its 350,000th arrested plane touchdown on April 22, 2023 whereas crusing within the South China Sea. The milestone was piloted in an F/A-18F Tremendous Hornet from the “Combating Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 by Capt. Craig Sicola, Nimitz commanding officer, and Cmdr. Luke Edwards, commanding officer of VFA 22. Nimitz is the primary lively U.S. plane service to achieve this milestone.
Nimitz’s embarked air wing consisted of the “Combating Redcocks” of Fighter Assault Squadron (VFA) 22, “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94, “Kestrels” of VFA-137, “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146, “Solar Kings” of Service Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116, “Cougars” of Digital Assault Squadron (VAQ) 139, “Battlecats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, “Screamin’ Indians” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 6 and “Suppliers” of Fleet Logistic Assist Squadron (VRC) 30.
