USS Harry S Truman carrier group to stay at sea to protect crew from Covid-19

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) is to remain at sea after her latest deployment, ready for tasking, to protect the crew from the risks posed by COVID-19.

The carrier group have not long returned by a deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

“The U.S. Navy is taking this measure to maintain the strike group’s warfighting capability while ensuring the safety of the crew. The demand for naval assets remains high. Therefore, keeping HSTCSG at sea in U.S. 2nd Fleet as it remains in the sustainment phase of OFRP allows the ship to maintain a high level of readiness for a potential rapid surge or forward deployment, providing options to the national command authority during this global COVID-19 pandemic”, say the U.S. Navy in a press release.

“The ship is entering a period in which it needs to be ready to respond and deploy at any time,” said Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander U.S. 2nd Fleet.

“Normally we can do that pierside, but in the face of COVID-19, we need to protect our most valuable asset, our people, by keeping the ship out to sea. After completing a successful deployment we would love nothing more than to be reunited with our friends and families. We recognize that these are unique circumstances and the responsible thing to do is to ensure we are able to answer our nation’s call while ensuring the health and safety of our Sailors. We thank you for your continued love and support as we remain focused on this important mission.”

The U.S. Navy say they will continue to evaluate the situation and will provide an update to the crew and their families in approximately three weeks.