USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) launched its first combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) June 29, while conducting turnover with Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).
Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, embarked aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), will provide support for coalition ground forces in Afghanistan.
"Our air wing has spent several months training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon in preparation for this deployment," said Capt. Jay Bynum, commander,
CVW 3. "We've worked to line up every possible opportunity to train and make sure that we would be ready to go from day one."
Bynum noted that one of the most important parts of the training was the communication between the pilots in the sky and the troops on the ground.
The air wing squadrons worked extensively with joint tactical air controllers (JTAC) at NAS Fallon to ensure that the training was as relevant and realistic as possible. JTACs are the liaison between the ground troops and the aircraft that provide close air support.
Many of the same JTACs that trained with the air wing are currently serving in Afghanistan, said Bynum.
Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Marcos Rodriguez, from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, takes great pride in ensuring that the jets he maintains stay mission-ready.
"We're out here for something good," said Rodriguez. "I have a friend in the National Guard in Afghanistan and being out here has personal meaning."
"It's awesome to know that we'll be there for the troops," said Lt. Davin O'Brien, of VFA 37. "Every pilot in the air wing is ready to support them."
Truman CSG will relieve Eisenhower CSG as Task Force 50 on July 2. Eisenhower CSG has operated in the 5th Fleet AOR since Jan. 25 with CVW 7 aircraft flying 2,970 combat sorties and logging 17,730 cumulative flight hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Truman CSG deployed May 21 from its homeport of Norfolk, Va., on a routine scheduled deployment and will conduct Maritime Security Operations and theater security cooperation.
Truman CSG includes CSG 10, Harry S. Truman, USS Normandy (CG 60), Destroyer Squadron 26, USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), USS Ross (DDG 71), CVW 3 and its associated squadrons; VFA 105 "Gunslingers," VFA 32 "Swordsmen," VFA 37 "Ragin Bulls," Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 "Checkerboards," Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 "Seahawks," Electronic Attack Squadron 130 "Zappers," and Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 7 "Dusty Dogs."
