Click to Watch Video
Click to Watch Video
Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW 3), which left for deployment with …
Nearly 100 naval aviators are scheduled to return to Naval Air …
The Navy says survivors of a ship that capsized off the coast …
The Navy says the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike …
Eleven sailors aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) enjoyed …
The Navy says the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, which …
Advertisement
Truman Strike Group leaves Norfolk
A total of five locally-based ships deploy Friday
Updated: Friday, 21 May 2010, 5:14 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 21 May 2010, 9:28 AM EDT
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - More than 6,000 sailors from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group left Hampton Roads Friday on a six-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations.
The Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, includes Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 10; the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW) 3; Commander, Destroyer Squadron 26 (CDS 26); the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), and guided-missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), USS Ross (DDG 71) and the German Frigate FGS Hessen (F221).
The Harry S. Truman, Normandy, Winston S. Churchill, Oscar Austin, and Ross are based at Naval Station Norfolk. Carrier Air Wing Three is based at Naval Air Station Oceana.
"I'm extremely proud of the men and women of the Truman Carrier Strike Group," said RADM Driscoll. "We are ready to deploy in support of troops on the ground, execute the nation's Maritime Strategy, and protect our nation's interests."
"Forward deployed forces like this one provide stability, they provide a prescence, and they provide deterrence," Driscoll said, "so they're providing a very important mission."
The Strike Group was actually scheduled to deploy in October.
"Our delay from our initial schedule allowed us to do some extra training," said Driscoll.
The delay also allowed families to spend some extra time together.
Before deploying, the USS Harry S. Truman and crew received awards for efficiency and safety.
"It speaks volumes for the professionalism of the sailors on this carrier, and also the embarked airwing, because it's a team effort," said Driscoll.
A team effort on the homefront as well. While one female sailor is doing her job on the ship, her husband Keith will
be doing his job at home.
"The only thing I'll probably be doing is trying to make sure she's supported out there on the water because I know it can be difficult," said Keith. "So that's going to be my main focus, making sure I keep her spirits lifted."
According to the Navy, the deployment is part of an on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operating in international waters around the globe, working with other coalition maritime forces.
Sailors from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group have spent the last four months completing refresher training and certifications in preparations for this deployment.
"The USS Harry S. Truman has worked hard to maintain our operational excellence, and we are prepared to answer the call. There is no doubt in my mind that these sailors are prepared to get underway, and that they will excel at whatever task we are assigned," said Capt. Joseph Clarkson, Truman's commanding officer.
Opinions that are derogatory, attack other users or are offensive in nature may be removed. WAVY is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread. To mark a comment for review by a moderator, click "Report Abuse."
Email This
Print This
View Story on a Single PageAdvertisement
Advertisement