ARABIAN SEA (NNS) -- Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), along with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), May 9.
Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) relieved USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to conduct maritime security operations (MSO) while providing support to Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
Ronald Reagan departed from its homeport in San Diego Feb. 2 for a regularly scheduled deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet AORs.
On March 13, while operating in 7th Fleet, the ships of Ronald Reagan CSG were the first to arrive and begin humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami struck the coast of northern Japan.
Ronald Reagan CSG is comprised of Ronald Reagan, guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, which includes guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88). Embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 includes the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, the "Argonauts" of VFA-147, the "Blue Diamonds" of VFA-146, the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.