A formidable American carrier strike group, led by the USS Harry S. Truman, has entered the North Sea, accompanied by the destroyers USS Stout and USS Jason Dunham, and the cruisers USS Leyte Gulf and USS Gettysburg.
The carrier is currently the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) and is on a scheduled deployment within the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of responsibility.
“This deployment comes on the heels of the Dwight D Eisenhower Strike Group nine-month mission that highlighted the need for continuity in our sustained presence amid escalating international tensions,” said Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet
Forces Command.
“The Truman Strike Group will contribute to the ongoing training and combat readiness of our naval forces. The operational experience gained through these deployments is invaluable for maintaining a deep bench of skilled warfighters with confidence in their system’s reliability, adaptability, and lethality in a rapidly changing security environment.”
The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is the eighth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, named after the 33rd U.S. President. Commissioned in 1998, the carrier was launched from Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia and is currently homeported at Naval Station Norfolk. It has been a key element of U.S. naval operations, participating in various deployments around the globe.
“Over 6,500 Sailors of the Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group have put in a tremendous effort to train and prepare to demonstrate the combat power and flexibility of our U.S. Naval forces and the warfighting advantage they bring anywhere in the world,” said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander HSTCSG.
“We are looking forward to operations in the SIXTH Fleet area of operations and to working with our Allies and partners to continue building interoperability and deter potential adversaries and threats.”
The deployment follows months of intense training and preparation, including the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) and various underway training exercises such as Group Sail and COMPTUEX.
“At the heart of the Carrier Strike Group is the aircraft carrier, and this impressive warship remains the cornerstone of the Navy’s forward presence through sea control and power projection capabilities,” said Capt. Dave Snowden, commanding officer of Harry S. Truman.
The squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 embarked aboard Harry S. Truman include:
– The “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11
– The “Pukin’ Dogs” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143
– The “Sunliners” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81
– The “Knighthawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136
– The “Main Battery” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 144
– The “Seahawks” of Control Squadron (VAW) 126
– The “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72
– The “Dragonslayers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11
– A detachment from the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 4
The U.S. Navy also say that throughout its 26 years of service, Harry S. Truman has deployed nine times to support critical missions and numerous operations and played a pivotal role in the United States’ commitment to ensuring a free and open international order that promotes security and prosperity.
This is what a RN CSG wants to be when it grows up!!
Truly formidable!
Even the US cannot afford new cruisers.
That’s true Bob. All joking aside, the USN certainly has its own challenges – crewing is one of them just like us. The Cruisers are on their last legs, LCS are a disaster, the new Constellation class frigates are running late, Zumwalt destroyers stopped at just three due to eye-watering costs of their gun/ammunition system, draw down in the number of attack boats and the list goes on.
Best we could hope for is 36 x F-35, 3 xAEW and couple of wildcats, with 2 x T-45 and 2 x T-26
But what will be the AEW? there is nothing in sight.
It’s all gone a bit quiet about the replacement for Crowsnest. I’m more concerned about the complete lack of defensive systems on the QEs. No other navy takes that risk.
How does the US supply its carrier fleet? Only no mention of any supply ships.
As a CSG it seems chronically short on support vessels, but its clearly joining allies for training. Something the online generals seem to forget ours do!
Are we sure there is a second cruiser? Leyte Gulf decommissioned a few weeks ago. Other reports suggest just 1 Tico and 2 A-Bs.
Maybe confusion is because Stout is DDG 55 and Leyte Gulf was CG 55
You’re right. Leyte Gulf is gone. The picture shows 3x Arleigh Burkes + 1 Ticonderoga.