Carrier Strike Group One
Encyclopedia
Carrier Strike Group One, abbreviated as CSG-1, CARSTRKGRU 1, is one of six U.S. Navy carrier strike group
s currently assigned to the United States Pacific Fleet
. U.S. Navy carrier strike groups are employed in a variety of roles, all of which involve gaining and maintaining sea control.
Carrier Strike Group One is currently based at Naval Air Station North Island
, and it is deployable to the U.S. Seventh Fleet operating in the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Indian Ocean
and the Persian Gulf
. The current flagship
for Carrier Strike Group One is the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
.
, the Korean War
, and the Vietnam War
. In June 1973, Commander Carrier Division One was redesignated Commander Carrier Group One (ComCarGru 1), and ComCarGru 1 commanded the carrier battle group when it relocated to Yokosuka, Japan
, on 5 October 1973, marking the first forward deployment of a complete carrier task group in a Japanese port. In December 1990, following commanding Battle Group Delta, ComCarGru 1 was designated Commander Training Battle Group, with responsibility for Carrier Battle Group Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC) within the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The current Carrier Strike Group One (CARSTRKGRU 1) was established on 1 October 2009 as a brand new command after the U.S. Navy took redelivery of the carrier Vinson on 11 July 2009 following the successful completion of the ship's mid-life Refueling and Complex Overhaul. Previously, the designation CARSTRKGRU 1 was used by a unit that had its roots as Carrier Division One (CarDiv 1). That unit became Carrier Strike Group 1 on 1 October 2004, and it was subsequently redesignated as Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific
in 2007.
Carrier Strike Group One reports to Commander, Commander, U.S. Third Fleet as one of six carrier strike groups currently assigned to the United States Pacific Fleet
. CARSTRKGRU 1's pre-deployment training and certification
comes under the operational control (OPCON) of the U.S. Third Fleet. When deployed overseas, Carrier Strike Group One comes under the command authority of the U.S. Seventh Fleet when operating in the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and the U.S. Fifth Fleet when operating in the Indian Ocean
and the Persian Gulf
.
Type commands (TYCOM)
are in administrative control (ADCON) and in some cases, operational control (OPCON) of certain types of assets (i.e., surface combatant ships, submarines, aircraft, and fleet marines) assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The guided-missile cruisers and , and Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON 1)
are under the administrative authority of Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) are under the administrative authority of Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific
.
(flagship
), an embarked carrier air wing
, at least one Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser
, and a destroyer squadron
. As of 2011, Carrier Strike Group One is composed of the following units:, flagship (pictured)
at Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News shipyard in Newport News, Virginia
as well as its post-RCOH sea trials. Carl Vinson was the third Nimitz-class supercarrier to undergo an RCOH overhaul.
On 1 October 2009, the U.S. Navy formally re-established Carrier Strike Group One based at Naval Base San Diego under the command of Rear Admiral Ted “Twig” Branch. The carrier strike group initially consisted of the carrier Carl Vinson as its flagship, Carrier Air Wing Seventeen
, Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON-1), and the guided-missile cruisers and . Carl Vinson was undergoing a four-month post-refueling shipyard maintenance period in preparation for its homeport change from Norfolk
to San Diego in 2010.
for its new homeport of San Diego. Squadrons from Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) embarked aboard Carl Vinson were:
The strike group's first mission was to transit around South America in the spring of 2010 as the Carl Vinson relocates to its new homeport of Naval Station San Diego
, California. Carl Vinson also participates in bi-lateral exercises with naval units from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru while circumnavigating South America. Carl Vinson arrived at its new homeport on 12 April 2010 following a three-month underway period.
, the operational focus of Carrier Strike Group One and Carrier Air Wing 17 was changed to provide much needed humanitarian assistance and set up a preliminary base of operations for helicopter operations.
On 12 January 2010, just hours after the 2010 Haiti earthquake
, Carl Vinson was ordered to redirect from its current deployment in the North Atlantic Ocean to Haiti to contribute to the relief effort as part of Operation Unified Response
. Upon receiving orders from the United States Southern Command
, the CARSTRKGRU 1 proceeded to Mayport, Florida where the ships loitered offshore to receive additional supplies and helicopters. On 15 January, the arrived off the coast of Port-au-Prince
(pictured) to provide humanitarian aid, with its trained personnel, emergency relief supplies, and 19 helicopter
s on deck. On 16 January, the arrived in Haiti to assist the Carl Vinson.
In addition to providing medical relief, Carl Vinsons excess desalination
capacity proved to be critical to providing fresh drinkable water to Haiti's population during the earthquake relief. In total, the Carl Vinson delivered 1,095,442 lbs. (496,884 kg.) of food; 147,591 gallons (558,693 litres) of potable water; and more than 40,000 lbs. (18,143 kg.) of medical supplies. The ship's medical team treated 60 patients. The Vinsons embarked helicopters flew 1,299 sorties, conducted 1,152 medical evacuations, and delivered more than 2,900,000 lbs. (1,315,418 kg.) of cargo ashore.
On February 1, the carrier Carl Vinson, the cruiser Bunker Hill, and the oceanographic survey ship ended their mission and departed Haiti although ten of Vinsons helicopters remained to support the relief effort.
naval maneuvers with the Brazilian
, Uruguayan
, and Argentine
navies (pictured) as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command's
Partnership of the Americas program. Carrier Strike Group One also paid port visits to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Callao, Peru.
anti-aircraft weapon systems under simulated combat conditions. Additionally, CARSTRKGRU 1 was responsible for the training and readiness of CVW-17's deployment preparations through Squadron-level Advanced Readiness Program and Air Wing Integrated Fallon Detachment
training.
and its 2010–2011 deployment to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf under the command of Rear Adm. Samuel Perez. Also, 20 January 2010, the guided-missile destroyer departed Naval Station San Diego
for an independent deployment in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) and was subsequently assigned to Carrier Strike Group One.
This was the first Western Pacific deployment for Vinson in more than five years since the ship entered its Refueling Complex Overhaul in the fall of 2005. This was also the first deployment for Bunker Hill following the completion of its Cruiser Modernization overhaul, the first Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser
to complete this mid-life modernization. Finally, this was the maiden deployment for the guided-missile destroyer Stockdale and the recently re-established Carrier Strike Group One itself.
On 31 December 2010, the strike group entered the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility
, and on 6 May 2011, Carrier Strike Group One returned to the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) after spending 95 days supporting maritime theater security operations for Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (OEF-A) and Operation New Dawn (OND) in the Fifth Fleet AOR. On 14 May 2011, a delegation led by President of the Philippines
Benigno Aquino III
flew out to Carrier Strike Group One to tour its flagship, the carrier Carl Vinson. On 15 June 2011, the carrier Carl Vinson returned to its homebase of Naval Station San Diego
, California.
, Stockdale and Gridley, and their embarked detachments from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49 (HSL-49) participated in a Passing Exercise (PASSEX
) with the JMSDF helicopter destroyer Kurama
in the Sea of Japan
. Later in the same day, Stockdale and Gridley participated in separate PASSEX maneuvers with units of the Republic of Korea Navy
.
On 3 February 2011, the group began conducting combat air operations over Afghanistan, relieving the departing Carrier Strike Group Nine led by the carrier . On 13 April 2011. an F/A-18 strike fighter from squadron VFA-113 made a successful single-engine landing on board the Carl Vinson, bursting in flames in the process. However, no fatalities occurred due to the fire-fighting efforts of the flight deck personnel. Carrier Air Wing 17 flew 1,656 combat air sorties, logging a total of 9,140 flight hours while the ordnance expenditure added up to 33 bombs and 2,970 rounds of 20-mm ammunition.
On 2 May 2011, following Operation Neptune's Spear, the body of Osama bin Laden
, the founder of the al-Qaeda
terror group, was buried at sea
after religious rites
were conducted aboard the USS Carl Vinson operating the Northern Arabian Sea
.
On 5 May 2011, as part of NATO's counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield
, the carrier Carl Vinson, the cruiser Bunker Hill, and the Turkish frigate Giresun
responded to a distress call from the Panamanian-flagged, Chinese-owned bulk carrier
Full City
. An Indian Navy
Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft located the Full City, and while Giresun boarded the merchant vessel, Bunker Hill and its embarked HS-49 helicopters intercepted a dhow believed to be the 'mothership' for the pirate attack (pictured). Bunker Hills VBSS boarding party seized weapons and other equipment commonly used in piratcy, and the boarding party also sank a small skiff being towed by the dhow. Giresuns boarding party found the Full Citys Chinese crew safe and in control of their ship. Strike group commander Admiral Samuel Perez noted:
(CVW-17). The Canadian
destroyer and frigate joined CARSTRKGRU 1 in bi-lateral task group exercises off the coast of southern California. On 16 September 2011, Carrier Strike Group One was underway for its Carrier Strike Group Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX).
On 26 September 2011, Carrier Strike Group One was visited by Vice Admiral Gerald R. Beaman
, Commander U.S. Third Fleet, while the carrier Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing Seventeen were completing operations off the coast of southern California prior to visiting San Francisco for Fleet Week between 8-11 October 2011 following a stop-over in Hawaii.
During composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) from the carrier Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing Two
(CVW-2) from the conducted numerous large-force strike drills for a joint task force exercise (JTFEX), an integrated battle force exercise designed to test the capabilities of strike groups operating with multinational forces in a join environment. Large-force air strikes involved simulated targeting and destruction of critical targets while suppressing enemy radars and anti-aircraft fire.
On 28 October 2011, Carrier Strike Group One completed a four-day Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint Exercise (FST-J) involving joint forces from with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, as well as coalition naval forces from Australia
and Canada
. These pierside exercises were completed in a virtual environment simulating real-world battle problems, and they integrate geographically-separated joint forces in a tactically and operationally demanding training environment. Within such a virtual environment, Tactical Group Training Pacific trainers have total control of the battle problems, and they make real-time adjustments based on the performance of the strike group, allowing battle problems to be tailored while maximizing training objectives.
on its scheduled Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment.
Carrier Strike Group
A carrier strike group is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft...
s currently assigned to the United States Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
. U.S. Navy carrier strike groups are employed in a variety of roles, all of which involve gaining and maintaining sea control.
Carrier Strike Group One is currently based at Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...
, and it is deployable to the U.S. Seventh Fleet operating in the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
and the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
. The current flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
for Carrier Strike Group One is the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Nimitz class aircraft carrier
The Nimitz-class supercarriers are a class of ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in service with the United States Navy. With an overall length of and full-load displacements of over 100,000 long tons, they are the largest capital ships in the world...
.
Historical background
Commander Carrier Division One (ComCarDiv 1) was the first aircraft carrier formation in the United States Navy when it was organized in October 1930 as part of the Aircraft Scouting Force, U.S. Fleet, operating in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1939, Carrier Division One was transferred to the Pacific Scouting Force. Aircraft carriers assigned to ComCarDiv 1 saw service in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. In June 1973, Commander Carrier Division One was redesignated Commander Carrier Group One (ComCarGru 1), and ComCarGru 1 commanded the carrier battle group when it relocated to Yokosuka, Japan
United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka
U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, or Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka is a United States Navy base, in Yokosuka, Japan. Its mission is to maintain and operate base facilities for the logistic, recreational, administrative support and service of the U.S. Naval Forces Japan, U.S. 7th Fleet and...
, on 5 October 1973, marking the first forward deployment of a complete carrier task group in a Japanese port. In December 1990, following commanding Battle Group Delta, ComCarGru 1 was designated Commander Training Battle Group, with responsibility for Carrier Battle Group Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC) within the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The current Carrier Strike Group One (CARSTRKGRU 1) was established on 1 October 2009 as a brand new command after the U.S. Navy took redelivery of the carrier Vinson on 11 July 2009 following the successful completion of the ship's mid-life Refueling and Complex Overhaul. Previously, the designation CARSTRKGRU 1 was used by a unit that had its roots as Carrier Division One (CarDiv 1). That unit became Carrier Strike Group 1 on 1 October 2004, and it was subsequently redesignated as Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific
Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific
Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific, abbreviated as CSFTP or COMSTRKFORTRAPAC, is the U.S. Fleet Forces Command formation charged with training and certifying Pacific Fleet Carrier Strike Groups, Amphibious Ready Groups, and independently deploying surface ships.-Overview:Commander, Strike...
in 2007.
Command structure
Commander Carrier Strike Group One (COMCARSTRKGRU 1) serves as Immediate Superior-in-Command (ISIC) for the ships and units assigned to Carrier Strike Group One. Acting as an Operational Commander, COMCARSTRKGRU 1 exercises oversight of unit-level training, integrated training, and readiness for assigned ships and units, as well as maintains administrative functions and material readiness tracking for ships and squadrons assigned to the group.Carrier Strike Group One reports to Commander, Commander, U.S. Third Fleet as one of six carrier strike groups currently assigned to the United States Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
. CARSTRKGRU 1's pre-deployment training and certification
Composite Unit Training Exercise
COMPTUEX, or Composite Training Unit Exercise, is a rehearsal each US Navy Carrier Strike Group performs before departing for deployment. Each ship and aircraft in the battle group trains in its speciality, COMPTUEX brings ships together to project force as a battle group...
comes under the operational control (OPCON) of the U.S. Third Fleet. When deployed overseas, Carrier Strike Group One comes under the command authority of the U.S. Seventh Fleet when operating in the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and the U.S. Fifth Fleet when operating in the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
and the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
.
Type commands (TYCOM)
U.S. Navy type commands
U.S. Navy type commands perform vital administrative, personnel, and operational training functions for a "type" of weapon system within a fleet organization.-Overview:...
are in administrative control (ADCON) and in some cases, operational control (OPCON) of certain types of assets (i.e., surface combatant ships, submarines, aircraft, and fleet marines) assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The guided-missile cruisers and , and Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON 1)
Destroyer Squadron One (United States)
Destroyer Squadron One, also known as Destroyer Squadron 1 and often abbreviated at DESRON ONE or DESRON 1, is a flotilla of warships of the United States Navy. Originally consisting of destroyers, the unit was established around the time of World War I. The squadron served in the Pacific...
are under the administrative authority of Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) are under the administrative authority of Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific
Commander, Naval Air Forces
Commander, Naval Air Forces is the aviation Type Commander for all United States Navy naval aviation units...
.
CARSTRKGRU 1 Commanders
| • Rear Admiral Rear admiral (United States) Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :... Ted N. (Twig) Branch |
(1 October 2009 – 26 October 2010) | |
| • Rear Admiral Samuel Perez, Jr. Samuel Perez, Jr. Samuel Perez, Jr., a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, is the current commander, Carrier Strike Group 1.-Early life:Rear Admiral Samuel Perez, Jr., a native of El Paso, Texas, graduated from the United States Naval Academy on May 28, 1980.-Career:... |
(26 October 2010 – 18 November 2011 | |
| • Rear Admiral Thomas K. Shannon | (18 November 2011 – ) |
Force composition in 2011
U.S. Navy carrier strike groups typically consist of an aircraft carrierSupercarrier
Supercarrier is an unofficial descriptive term for the largest type of aircraft carrier, usually displacing over 70,000 long tons.Supercarrier is an unofficial descriptive term for the largest type of aircraft carrier, usually displacing over 70,000 long tons.Supercarrier is an unofficial...
(flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
), an embarked carrier air wing
Carrier air wing
A Carrier Air Wing is an operational naval aviation organization composed of several aircraft squadrons and detachments of various types of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft...
, at least one Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser
Ticonderoga class cruiser
The Ticonderoga class of missile cruisers is a class of warships in the United States Navy, first ordered and authorized in FY 1978. The class uses phased-array radar and was originally planned as a class of destroyers...
, and a destroyer squadron
DESRON
A destroyer squadron is a naval squadron or flotilla usually consisting of destroyers rather than other types of vessel. In some navies other vessels, such as frigates, may be included. In English the word "squadron" tends to be used for larger and "flotilla" for smaller vessels, both may be used...
. As of 2011, Carrier Strike Group One is composed of the following units:, flagship (pictured)
- Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17)Carrier Air Wing SeventeenCarrier Air Wing Seventeen , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.-Mission:...
- Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON 1)Destroyer Squadron One (United States)Destroyer Squadron One, also known as Destroyer Squadron 1 and often abbreviated at DESRON ONE or DESRON 1, is a flotilla of warships of the United States Navy. Originally consisting of destroyers, the unit was established around the time of World War I. The squadron served in the Pacific...
2009 Operations
On 11 July 2009, the U.S. Navy took re-delivery of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier following successful completion of its Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH)Refueling and Overhaul
In the United States Navy, Refueling and Overhaul refers to a lengthy process or procedure performed on nuclear-powered Naval ships, which involves replacement of expended nuclear fuel with new fuel and a general maintenance fix-up, renovation, and often modernization of the entire ship...
at Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News shipyard in Newport News, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
as well as its post-RCOH sea trials. Carl Vinson was the third Nimitz-class supercarrier to undergo an RCOH overhaul.
On 1 October 2009, the U.S. Navy formally re-established Carrier Strike Group One based at Naval Base San Diego under the command of Rear Admiral Ted “Twig” Branch. The carrier strike group initially consisted of the carrier Carl Vinson as its flagship, Carrier Air Wing Seventeen
Carrier Air Wing Seventeen
Carrier Air Wing Seventeen , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.-Mission:...
, Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON-1), and the guided-missile cruisers and . Carl Vinson was undergoing a four-month post-refueling shipyard maintenance period in preparation for its homeport change from Norfolk
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navy's ships. It's the oldest and largest industrial facility that belongs to the U.S. Navy as well as the most...
to San Diego in 2010.
Homeport change
On 12 January 2010, Carrier Strike Group One (CARSTRKGRU 1), led by the USS Carl Vinson (pictured), departed Naval Station NorfolkNaval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
for its new homeport of San Diego. Squadrons from Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) embarked aboard Carl Vinson were:
- Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81)VFA-81Strike Fighter Squadron 81 , also known as the "Sunliners", is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen, their radio callsign is Zapper, and their tail code is AA...
- Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 (VAW-125)VAW-125VAW-125, known as the “Torch Bearers” or “Tigertails,” was established on October 1, 1968, at Naval Air Station, Norfolk . The squadron’s initial supporting command was Carrier Air Wing Three deploying aboard USS Saratoga . While with CVW-3, VAW-125 became the first East Coast squadron to take...
- Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40)VRC-40Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 , also known as the "Rawhides", is a United States Navy fleet logistics support squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk...
- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 15 (HS-15)
The strike group's first mission was to transit around South America in the spring of 2010 as the Carl Vinson relocates to its new homeport of Naval Station San Diego
Naval Station San Diego
Naval Base San Diego is the largest base of the United States Navy on the west coast of the United States, in San Diego, California. Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, consisting of 54 ships and over 120 tenant commands. The base is composed of 13 piers stretched...
, California. Carl Vinson also participates in bi-lateral exercises with naval units from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru while circumnavigating South America. Carl Vinson arrived at its new homeport on 12 April 2010 following a three-month underway period.
Operation Unified Response
Due to the 2010 Haiti earthquake2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
, the operational focus of Carrier Strike Group One and Carrier Air Wing 17 was changed to provide much needed humanitarian assistance and set up a preliminary base of operations for helicopter operations.
On 12 January 2010, just hours after the 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
, Carl Vinson was ordered to redirect from its current deployment in the North Atlantic Ocean to Haiti to contribute to the relief effort as part of Operation Unified Response
Operation Unified Response
Operation Unified Response is the United States military's response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. It is being conducted by Joint Task Force Haiti and commanded by United States Southern Command Military Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Ken Keen, although the overall U.S...
. Upon receiving orders from the United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
, the CARSTRKGRU 1 proceeded to Mayport, Florida where the ships loitered offshore to receive additional supplies and helicopters. On 15 January, the arrived off the coast of Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
(pictured) to provide humanitarian aid, with its trained personnel, emergency relief supplies, and 19 helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s on deck. On 16 January, the arrived in Haiti to assist the Carl Vinson.
In addition to providing medical relief, Carl Vinsons excess desalination
Desalination
Desalination, desalinization, or desalinisation refers to any of several processes that remove some amount of salt and other minerals from saline water...
capacity proved to be critical to providing fresh drinkable water to Haiti's population during the earthquake relief. In total, the Carl Vinson delivered 1,095,442 lbs. (496,884 kg.) of food; 147,591 gallons (558,693 litres) of potable water; and more than 40,000 lbs. (18,143 kg.) of medical supplies. The ship's medical team treated 60 patients. The Vinsons embarked helicopters flew 1,299 sorties, conducted 1,152 medical evacuations, and delivered more than 2,900,000 lbs. (1,315,418 kg.) of cargo ashore.
On February 1, the carrier Carl Vinson, the cruiser Bunker Hill, and the oceanographic survey ship ended their mission and departed Haiti although ten of Vinsons helicopters remained to support the relief effort.
Southern Seas 2010
On March 2010, during her transit around South America, the carrier strike group participated in Southern Seas 2010Gringo-Gaucho
Gringo-Gaucho are a set of maneuvers performed between the Argentine Naval Aviation and United States Navy's aircraft carriers. The US Navy refers to them as Southern Seas in their last edition.-History:...
naval maneuvers with the Brazilian
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
, Uruguayan
National Navy of Uruguay
The National Navy of Uruguay is a branch of the Armed Forces of Uruguay under the direction of the Ministry of National Defense and the commander in chief of the Navy Admiral Juan H...
, and Argentine
Argentine Navy
The Navy of the Argentine Republic or Armada of the Argentine Republic is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force....
navies (pictured) as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command's
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command is the naval element of United States Southern Command . Its areas of operation include South America, Central America, the Caribbean and surrounding waters. Its headquarters are located at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. USNAVSO is currently under the command...
Partnership of the Americas program. Carrier Strike Group One also paid port visits to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Callao, Peru.
CARSTRKGRU 1 training
Carrier Strike Group One prepared for its 2010 deployment through an Fleet Response Training Plan (FRTP) that included Fleet Synthetic Training Group (FSTGC) and Warfare Commander events, Navy Tactical Planners and Network Centric Warfare Commander's Courses, and a Combined Warfare Commander's Course. For example, during July 2010, the Vinson underwent its Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT), which included launching its newly installed Evolved Sea Sparrow Surface Missiles (ESSM) and Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM)RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile
The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the American, German, South Korean, Greek, Turkish, Saudi and Egyptian navies. It was intended originally and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against anti-ship cruise missiles...
anti-aircraft weapon systems under simulated combat conditions. Additionally, CARSTRKGRU 1 was responsible for the training and readiness of CVW-17's deployment preparations through Squadron-level Advanced Readiness Program and Air Wing Integrated Fallon Detachment
Naval Air Station Fallon
Naval Air Station Fallon or NAS Fallon is the United States Navy's premier air-to-air and air-to-ground training facility. It is located southeast of the city of Fallon in western Nevada in the United States. Since 1996, it has been home to the Naval Fighter Weapons School , and the surrounding...
training.
2010-2011 WESTPAC deployment
On 30 November 2010, Carrier Strike Group One departed Naval Air Station North Island for a three-week composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX)Composite Unit Training Exercise
COMPTUEX, or Composite Training Unit Exercise, is a rehearsal each US Navy Carrier Strike Group performs before departing for deployment. Each ship and aircraft in the battle group trains in its speciality, COMPTUEX brings ships together to project force as a battle group...
and its 2010–2011 deployment to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf under the command of Rear Adm. Samuel Perez. Also, 20 January 2010, the guided-missile destroyer departed Naval Station San Diego
Naval Station San Diego
Naval Base San Diego is the largest base of the United States Navy on the west coast of the United States, in San Diego, California. Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, consisting of 54 ships and over 120 tenant commands. The base is composed of 13 piers stretched...
for an independent deployment in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) and was subsequently assigned to Carrier Strike Group One.
This was the first Western Pacific deployment for Vinson in more than five years since the ship entered its Refueling Complex Overhaul in the fall of 2005. This was also the first deployment for Bunker Hill following the completion of its Cruiser Modernization overhaul, the first Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser
Ticonderoga class cruiser
The Ticonderoga class of missile cruisers is a class of warships in the United States Navy, first ordered and authorized in FY 1978. The class uses phased-array radar and was originally planned as a class of destroyers...
to complete this mid-life modernization. Finally, this was the maiden deployment for the guided-missile destroyer Stockdale and the recently re-established Carrier Strike Group One itself.
On 31 December 2010, the strike group entered the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility
Area of responsibility
Area Of Responsibility is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations; for which a force, or component commander...
, and on 6 May 2011, Carrier Strike Group One returned to the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) after spending 95 days supporting maritime theater security operations for Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (OEF-A) and Operation New Dawn (OND) in the Fifth Fleet AOR. On 14 May 2011, a delegation led by President of the Philippines
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III , also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th and current President of the Philippines since June 2010....
flew out to Carrier Strike Group One to tour its flagship, the carrier Carl Vinson. On 15 June 2011, the carrier Carl Vinson returned to its homebase of Naval Station San Diego
Naval Station San Diego
Naval Base San Diego is the largest base of the United States Navy on the west coast of the United States, in San Diego, California. Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, consisting of 54 ships and over 120 tenant commands. The base is composed of 13 piers stretched...
, California.
Force composition
| Units | CARSTRKGRU 1 Warships | Carrier Air Wing Seventeen Carrier Air Wing Seventeen Carrier Air Wing Seventeen , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.-Mission:... (CVW-17) squadrons embarked aboard flagship |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113): VFA-113 Strike Fighter Squadron 113 Stingers is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.... 10 F/A-18C |
Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron 134 (VAQ-134): VAQ-134 Electronic Attack Squadron , also known as the "Garudas", is an United States Navy EA-6B Prowler squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. VAQ-134 was one of only four expeditionary Prowler squadrons in the U.S. Navy... 4 EA-6B |
|
| #2 | Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81): VFA-81 Strike Fighter Squadron 81 , also known as the "Sunliners", is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen, their radio callsign is Zapper, and their tail code is AA... 10 F/A-18E |
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 (VAW-125): VAW-125 VAW-125, known as the “Torch Bearers” or “Tigertails,” was established on October 1, 1968, at Naval Air Station, Norfolk . The squadron’s initial supporting command was Carrier Air Wing Three deploying aboard USS Saratoga . While with CVW-3, VAW-125 became the first East Coast squadron to take... 4 E-2C E-2 Hawkeye The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the... |
|
| #3 | Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25): VFA-25 Strike Fighter Squadron 25 is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at NAS Lemoore. Its current tail code is AA, its callsign is Fist, and it flies the F/A-18C Hornet.-Squadron insignia and nickname:... 10 F/A-18C |
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 15 (HS-15): 7 HH-60F/SH-60F H-60 H-60 is often used as a general name for a wide family of U.S. military helicopters. However, they all use a modified mission symbol in addition to the 'H' vehicle type designator under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system . The mission prefix H-60 is often used as a... |
|
| #4 | Strike Fighter Squadron 22 (VFA-22): VFA-22 VFA-22, Strike Fighter Squadron 22, also known as the "Fighting Redcocks", are a United States Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore... 12 F/A-18F |
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40), Det.4: VRC-40 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 , also known as the "Rawhides", is a United States Navy fleet logistics support squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... 2 C-2A |
|
| Notes |
Seventh Fleet operations
On 10 January 2011, two guided-missile destroyers from Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON 1)Destroyer Squadron One (United States)
Destroyer Squadron One, also known as Destroyer Squadron 1 and often abbreviated at DESRON ONE or DESRON 1, is a flotilla of warships of the United States Navy. Originally consisting of destroyers, the unit was established around the time of World War I. The squadron served in the Pacific...
, Stockdale and Gridley, and their embarked detachments from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49 (HSL-49) participated in a Passing Exercise (PASSEX
PASSEX
A PASSEX is a U.S. Navy term for a "passing exercise". Almost any US military term in all capitals ending in ...EX is some type of an exercise.A passing exercise is done between any two navies for the official reason of ensuring that the two different navies are able to communicate and cooperate...
) with the JMSDF helicopter destroyer Kurama
Shirane class destroyer
The Shirane class destroyers are a class of Japanese destroyer originally built during the late 1970s and still in active service. They are built around a large central hangar which houses up to three helicopters and they are the natural successor of the s...
in the Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
. Later in the same day, Stockdale and Gridley participated in separate PASSEX maneuvers with units of the Republic of Korea Navy
Republic of Korea Navy
The Republic of Korea Navy or the ROK Navy is the branch of the South Korean armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization...
.
Fifth Fleet operations
Carrier air operations
On 3 February 2011, the group began conducting combat air operations over Afghanistan, relieving the departing Carrier Strike Group Nine led by the carrier . On 13 April 2011. an F/A-18 strike fighter from squadron VFA-113 made a successful single-engine landing on board the Carl Vinson, bursting in flames in the process. However, no fatalities occurred due to the fire-fighting efforts of the flight deck personnel. Carrier Air Wing 17 flew 1,656 combat air sorties, logging a total of 9,140 flight hours while the ordnance expenditure added up to 33 bombs and 2,970 rounds of 20-mm ammunition.
Operation Neptune's Spear
On 2 May 2011, following Operation Neptune's Spear, the body of Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was the founder of the militant Islamist organization Al-Qaeda, the jihadist organization responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States and numerous other mass-casualty attacks against civilian and military targets...
, the founder of the al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
terror group, was buried at sea
Burial at sea
Burial at sea describes the procedure of disposing of human remains in the ocean, normally from a ship or boat. It is regularly performed by navies, but also can be done by private citizens in many countries.-By religion:...
after religious rites
Islamic funeral
Funerals in Islam follow fairly specific rites, though they are subject to regional interpretation and variation in custom. In all cases, however, sharia calls for burial of the body, preceded by a simple ritual involving bathing and shrouding the body, followed by salah...
were conducted aboard the USS Carl Vinson operating the Northern Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
.
Operation Ocean Shield
On 5 May 2011, as part of NATO's counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield
Operation Ocean Shield
Operation Ocean Shield is NATO's contribution to the anti-piracy campaign off the Horn of Africa, following the earlier Operation Allied Protector. Naval operations began on 17 August 2009 after being approved by the North Atlantic Council and involves warships primarily from the United States...
, the carrier Carl Vinson, the cruiser Bunker Hill, and the Turkish frigate Giresun
USS Antrim (FFG-20)
USS Antrim was the twelfth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates. She was named for Rear Admiral Richard Nott Antrim...
responded to a distress call from the Panamanian-flagged, Chinese-owned bulk carrier
Bulk carrier
A bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have fueled the development of these ships,...
Full City
Full City
Full City is a Panama-flagged bulk carrier made infamous by running aground after an engine failure during a storm near Langesund, Telemark, Norway, spilling 200 tons of heavy bunker fuel oil in a sensitive wildlife area on 31 July 2009. Full City was built by Hakodate Dockyard Co. Ltd...
. An Indian Navy
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft located the Full City, and while Giresun boarded the merchant vessel, Bunker Hill and its embarked HS-49 helicopters intercepted a dhow believed to be the 'mothership' for the pirate attack (pictured). Bunker Hills VBSS boarding party seized weapons and other equipment commonly used in piratcy, and the boarding party also sank a small skiff being towed by the dhow. Giresuns boarding party found the Full Citys Chinese crew safe and in control of their ship. Strike group commander Admiral Samuel Perez noted:
- This operation demonstrated that our presence here successfully deters destabilizing activities and is effective in upholding lawful maritime order. The versatility inherent to a carrier strike group allowed for quick coordination with naval and Coast Guard assets from Turkey and India to successfully prevent a pirate attack against the motor vessel Full City.
Exercises & port visits
| Number | Regional Exercises | Port Visits | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | U.S. Force | Bilateral/Multilateral Partner(s) | Operating Area | Location | Dates | ||
| 1st: | 10 Jan. 2011 | Stockdale, Gridley | PASSEX PASSEX A PASSEX is a U.S. Navy term for a "passing exercise". Almost any US military term in all capitals ending in ...EX is some type of an exercise.A passing exercise is done between any two navies for the official reason of ensuring that the two different navies are able to communicate and cooperate... : Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force The , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II.... , Republic of Korea Navy Republic of Korea Navy The Republic of Korea Navy or the ROK Navy is the branch of the South Korean armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization... |
Sea of Japan Sea of Japan The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific... |
—- | —- | |
| 2nd: | —- | Carrier Strike Group One | —- | —- | Chinhae & Busan Busan Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world... , ROK |
11–14 Jan. 2011 | |
| 3rd: | 26 Jan. 2011 | Carrier Strike Group One | PASSEX: Royal Malaysian Navy Royal Malaysian Navy The Royal Malaysian Navy is the naval arm of Malaysian Armed Forces. All commissioned ships of the RMN have the prefix KD , which means Royal Ship.-Straits Settlement Naval Volunteer Reserve:... |
Straits of Malacca | —- | —- | |
| 4th: | —- | Higgins | —- | —- | Phuket, Thailand | 17–21 Feb. 2011 | |
| 5th: | 25–26 Feb. 2011 | Higgins | Maritime Domain Awareness Maritime domain awareness Maritime domain awareness is defined as the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment. It is part of a US government interagency and international maritime security effort... : Maldivian Coast Guard Maldivian Coast Guard The Maldivian Coast Guard is the naval or maritime arm of the Maldivian National Defence Force. With the absence of a navy in the country, the MNDF Coast Guard functions as the armed maritime force of the nation with a charter to contribute to national defence and by and large to respond to issues... |
In-port | Maldives Maldives The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and... |
25–26 Feb. 2011 | |
| 6th: | —- | Carrier Strike Group One | —- | —- | Port Klang Port Klang Port Klang is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Colonially known as Port Swettenham, it is also the location of the largest and busiest port in the country. As such, its economic progress has been greatly influenced by the port activities in its area... , Malaysia |
13 Feb. 2011 | |
| 7th: | —- | Carrier Strike Group One | —- | —- | Manila Manila Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,... , Philippines Philippines The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam... |
15-19 May 2011 | |
| 8th: | —- | Carrier Strike Group One | —- | —- | Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... |
22-24 May 2011 | |
| 9th: | —- | Carrier Strike Group One | —- | —- | Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is a United States military facility adjacent to Honolulu, Hawaii. It is an amalgamation of the former United States Air Force Hickam Air Force Base and the United States Navy Naval Base Pearl Harbor, which were merged in 2010.-Overview:Joint Base Pearl... |
7-9 June 2011 | |
2011 training exercises
On 9 September 2011, Carrier Strike Group One (CARSTRKGRU 1) returned to San Diego after a three-day underway period off the coast of southern California. The strike group was underway on 12 September 2011 to begin Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRS-CQ) flight training, and after returning to post, departed for carrier qualification (CQ) exercises with Carrier Air Wing SeventeenCarrier Air Wing Seventeen
Carrier Air Wing Seventeen , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.-Mission:...
(CVW-17). The Canadian
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
destroyer and frigate joined CARSTRKGRU 1 in bi-lateral task group exercises off the coast of southern California. On 16 September 2011, Carrier Strike Group One was underway for its Carrier Strike Group Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX).
On 26 September 2011, Carrier Strike Group One was visited by Vice Admiral Gerald R. Beaman
Gerald R. Beaman
Gerald R. Beaman is a Vice Admiral in the US Navy and an ex Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.His current posting is as Commander, U. S. 3rd FleetBeaman is a native of Hammond, Indiana and is a graduate of Marquette University....
, Commander U.S. Third Fleet, while the carrier Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing Seventeen were completing operations off the coast of southern California prior to visiting San Francisco for Fleet Week between 8-11 October 2011 following a stop-over in Hawaii.
During composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) from the carrier Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing Two
Carrier Air Wing Two
Carrier Air Wing Two is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln .-Mission:...
(CVW-2) from the conducted numerous large-force strike drills for a joint task force exercise (JTFEX), an integrated battle force exercise designed to test the capabilities of strike groups operating with multinational forces in a join environment. Large-force air strikes involved simulated targeting and destruction of critical targets while suppressing enemy radars and anti-aircraft fire.
On 28 October 2011, Carrier Strike Group One completed a four-day Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint Exercise (FST-J) involving joint forces from with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, as well as coalition naval forces from Australia
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
and Canada
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
. These pierside exercises were completed in a virtual environment simulating real-world battle problems, and they integrate geographically-separated joint forces in a tactically and operationally demanding training environment. Within such a virtual environment, Tactical Group Training Pacific trainers have total control of the battle problems, and they make real-time adjustments based on the performance of the strike group, allowing battle problems to be tailored while maximizing training objectives.
Change of Command
On 11 November 2011, Rear Admiral Thomas K. Shannon relieved Rear Admiral Samuel Perez as Commander Carrier Strike Group One (CARSTRKGRU-1) in ceremonies held aboard the aircraft carrier . Admiral Shannon's previous assignment was as the deputy chief of staff for Operations, Training and Readiness, U.S. Pacific Fleet.2011–2012 WESTPAC Deployment
On 30 November 2011, Carrier Strike Group One departed Naval Air Station North IslandNaval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...
on its scheduled Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment.
Force composition
| Units | CARSTRKGRU 1 Warships | Carrier Air Wing Seventeen Carrier Air Wing Seventeen Carrier Air Wing Seventeen , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.-Mission:... (CVW-17) squadrons embarked aboard flagship |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113) VFA-113 Strike Fighter Squadron 113 Stingers is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.... |
Electronic Attack Squadron 134 (VAQ-134) VAQ-134 Electronic Attack Squadron , also known as the "Garudas", is an United States Navy EA-6B Prowler squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. VAQ-134 was one of only four expeditionary Prowler squadrons in the U.S. Navy... |
|
| #2 | Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81) VFA-81 Strike Fighter Squadron 81 , also known as the "Sunliners", is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen, their radio callsign is Zapper, and their tail code is AA... |
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 (VAW-125) VAW-125 VAW-125, known as the “Torch Bearers” or “Tigertails,” was established on October 1, 1968, at Naval Air Station, Norfolk . The squadron’s initial supporting command was Carrier Air Wing Three deploying aboard USS Saratoga . While with CVW-3, VAW-125 became the first East Coast squadron to take... |
|
| #3 | — | Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25) VFA-25 Strike Fighter Squadron 25 is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at NAS Lemoore. Its current tail code is AA, its callsign is Fist, and it flies the F/A-18C Hornet.-Squadron insignia and nickname:... |
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 15 (HS-15) |
| #4 | — | Strike Fighter Squadron 22 (VFA-22) VFA-22 VFA-22, Strike Fighter Squadron 22, also known as the "Fighting Redcocks", are a United States Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore... |
— |
| Notes |
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- U.S. Carrier Group tacticsU.S. Carrier Group tacticsNaval tactics have played a crucial role in modern battles and wars. The presence of land, changing water depths, weather, detection and electronic warfare, the speed at which actual combat occurs and other factors — especially air power — render naval tactics truly formidable.The basic idea of all...
External links
- Carl Vinson Strike Group - GlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
- Gringo-Gaucho maneuvers 2010 - YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....