The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) departs Naval Station Norfolk on its maiden deployment. George H.W. Bush, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, will deploy as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric S. Garst/Released)NORFOLK (NNS) -- The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) departed for its maiden deployment May 11.
The strike group, led by the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and its nearly 6,000 Sailors; is scheduled to conduct operations in the U.S. Navy's 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.
The deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of U.S. forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe.
Working with allied and partner maritime forces, GHWB CSG units will focus heavily on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts which help establish conditions for regional stability.
"The George H.W. Bush Strike Group is ready to go," said Rear Adm. Nora Tyson, commander of GHWB CSG. "These Sailors have worked extremely hard over the last year and we are fully prepared to execute any and all tasking in support of the nation's maritime strategy."
The five ships and eight aircraft squadrons of GHWB CSG consist of approximately 6,000 Sailors who have spent the last year conducting intensive training and certification exercises to establish a safe, cohesive organization capable of performing a wide variety of missions across the globe, ranging from counter-piracy and ground support operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The George H.W. Bush Strike Group consists of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), guided-missile cruisers USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Anzio (CG 68), and guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and USS Mitscher (DDG 57).
