Monday, September 01, 2008

Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group to Deploy Early September

More than 7,300 Sailors from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will deploy early September as part of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe.

The aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt will depart Norfolk Naval Station Sept. 8. While the guided-missile USS Monterey (CG 61) and the fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 3) will deploy Sept. 10. The guided missile destroyers USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94); and the attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761) will deploy Sept. 12

The Theodore Roosevelt CSG is made up of the Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 2 staff; USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW 8); Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 22 staff; the guided missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61); the guided missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94), all homeported in Norfolk, Va.; the guided missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (CG 55), homeported in Mayport, Fla.; the attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761), homeported in Groton, Conn.; and the Fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), homeported in Earle, N.J.

Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW 8) consists of strike fighter squadrons VFA-15, VFA-31, VFA-87 and VFA-213; tactical electronics warfare squadron VAQ-141; carrier airborne early warning squadron VAW-124; and helicopter anti-submarine squadron HS-3.

The strike group recently returned from participating in a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) with elements of the French, Brazilian, Peruvian and British militaries.

They successfully completed a series of complex training events, which included integrated cyclic flight operations off the U.S. east coast with French and U.S. strike aircraft. JTFEX serves as a joint and combined exercise designed to provide realistic training environments for US and coalition forces that closely replicate the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world. Training such as this ensures our military forces are prepared to support any missions they may be tasked to execute.

The strike group's ships are prepared to conduct a variety of missions, including forward naval presence, maritime security operations, crisis response and theater security operations.