USS Lake Champlain Collision at Sea

WATERS EAST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (NNS) (NNS) -- A South Korean
fishing vessel collided with USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) while the guided-missile
cruiser was conducting routine operations in international waters.

No one was injured when the fishing vessel collided with Lake Champlain's port
side, amid ship, at approximately 11:50 a.m. (+9I), May 9.

Both ships were able to navigate under their own power.

The incident is under investigation by both U.S. Navy and South Korea Coast
Guard. Damage assessments of both the Ticonderoga-class guided missile
cruiser and the 60-70 foot long fishing vessel are underway.

Lake Champlain is part of the Carl Vinson Strike Group which is currently
on a Western-Pacific Deployment.

CAG-2 Super Hornets Overfly Vinson CSG near DPRK

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 3, 2017) F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Two fly over the Republic of Korea destroyers Sejong the Great (DDG 991) and Yang Manchun (DDH 973) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as they transit the western Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean M. Castellano/Released)

Vinson CSG Operating in Philippine Sea

PHILIPPINE SEA (April 26, 2017) The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), foreground, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Atago-class guided-missile destroyer JS Ashigara (DDG 178), left, and the JMSDF Murasame-class destroyer JS Samidare (DD 106) transit the Philippine Sea. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean M. Castellano/Released

HSM-78 Opersting in Philippine Sea

PHILIPPINE SEA (April 24, 2017) An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the  "Blue Hawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 fires chaff flares during a training exercise near the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific routinely for more than 70 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean M. Castellano/Released)

Vinson CSG in Philippine Sea

PHILIPPINE SEA (April 23, 2017) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Philippine Sea while conducting a bilateral exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating as part of U.S. 7th Fleet, but remains deployed under the U.S. 3rd Fleet Forward operating concept, which provides additional options to the Pacific Fleet commander and leverages the capabilities of both 3rd and 7th Fleets. U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and routinely for more than 70 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Z.A. Landers/Released)

USS Carl Vinson CSG transits the Sunda Strait

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Sunda Strait. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. U.S Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and routinely for more than 70 years. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean M. Castellano (Released) 170415-N-BL637-044

U.S. Reroutes Warships Toward Korean Peninsula in Show of Force

The aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and other warships during an exercise last month in the Philippine Sea. The Vinson and three guided-missile destroyers and cruisers are now heading toward the Korean Peninsula. Credit Matt Brown/U.S. Navy        

WASHINGTON — The commander of American forces in the Pacific has ordered an aircraft carrier and several other warships toward the Korean Peninsula in a show of force by the Trump administration just days after North Korea tested another intermediate-range missile.

The officer, Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the head of the military’s Pacific Command, diverted the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and its wing of fighter jets from a planned series of exercises and port calls in Australia, the command said in a statement. The Vinson and three guided-missile destroyers and cruisers steamed out of Singapore on Saturday for their new mission in the Western Pacific.

Read the rest of the story on the NY Times website at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/09/world/asia/korean-peninsula-us-aircraft-carrier-north-korea.html

Carrier Strike Group One (CSG-1 or CARSTRKGRU 1)

U.S. Navy carrier strike group. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is the strike group's current flagship, and other units current assigned to Carrier Strike Group One include USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) NCPN c/s Revolution, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) NAWB, USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2,

CVW-2 Airwing deployed includes the following squadrons:

VFA-2  Bounty Hunters F/A-18F/NE c/s Bullet

VFA-34  Blue Blasters F/A-18C/NE c/s Joker

VFA-137  Kestrels F/A-18E/NE c/s Falcon

VFA-192  Golden Dragons F/A-18E/NE c/s Jury

VAW-113  Black Eagles E-2C 2000 c/s Eagle

VAQ-136  Gauntlets EA-18G/NE c/s Iron Crow

VRC-30 Det P roviders C-2A c/s Password

HSC-4  Black Knights MH-60S c/s Black Knights
HSM-78  Blue Hawks MH-60R c/s Blue Hawk

USS Carl Vinson CSV transiting the South China Sea

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the South China Sea. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. U.S Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and routinely for more than 70 years. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Brown (Released) 170408-N-HD638-152

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- Adm. Harry Harris, commander, U.S. Pacific Command, has directed the Carl Vinson Strike Group to sail north and report on station in the Western Pacific Ocean after departing Singapore April 8.

Carl Vinson Strike Group, including Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), will operate in the Western Pacific rather than executing previously planned port visits to Australia. The Strike Group will remain under the operational control of U.S. 3rd Fleet as part of the 3rd Fleet Forward initiative.

Deployed from San Diego to the Western Pacific since Jan. 5, the Strike Group has participated in numerous bilateral exercises with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and Republic of Korea Navy, various maritime security initiatives, and routine patrol operations in the South China Sea.

For more than 70 years, the U.S. Navy has maintained a persistent naval presence in the Indo-Asia Pacific. The U.S. Navy is committed to continuing this forward presence, which is focused on stability, regional cooperation and economic prosperity for all nations. Carl Vinson has deployed to the region several times, starting with a deployment to the Western Pacific in 1983, a year after commissioning. Most recently in 2015, Carl Vinson conducted port visits and exercises with regional navies in the South China Sea.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. Third Fleet constantly coordinates with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the entire Indo-Asia-Pacific theater of operations.

Carl Vinson Strike Group Arrives in Singapore

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zackary Alan Landers

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Arleigh Burke -class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and Ticonderoga -class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) arrived in Singapore for a scheduled port visit, April 4.

Prior to the visit, the Carl Vinson Strike Group (CSG-1) completed two weeks of routine operations in the Asia-Pacific region, including maritime exercises with the Republic of Korea Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. The ship also operated in the South China Sea during this deployment.

"This port visit reaffirms our commitment to the U.S.-Singapore defense relationship and our shared belief that lawful use of the sea and airspace are essential to prosperity, stability and security for all nations in the Pacific," said Rear Adm. Jim Kilby, CSG-1 commander. "We greatly appreciate the opportunity to return or in many cases visit this great country for the first time."

Carl Vinson will host a reception for distinguished visitors including the United States' Deputy Chief of Mission to Singapore
Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath; Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet; Fleet Commander Cheong Kwok Chien; and various high commissioners, military attaches and distinguished members of the U.S. and Singapore Diplomatic Corps.

"Vinson Sailors are excited about Singapore and this port visit," said Capt. Doug Verissimo, Carl Vinson commanding officer. "They tirelessly execute the carrier's mission in providing a presence here in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. They work hard to better themselves personally and professionally, and now they have an opportunity to get some well-deserved rest and take in the sights and culture of Singapore."

During the port visit, CSG-1 Sailors will volunteer off-duty time to various charitable and community organizations. CVW-2 Sailors will volunteer at Willing Hearts, a soup kitchen, and Sailors stationed aboard Lake Champlain will volunteer with Child @ Street 11, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income families provide education for their children.

Additionally, members of Carl Vinson's Junior Enlisted Association and Second Class Petty Officers Association will volunteer at a food bank where they will move food and receive donations.

The strike group will continue on their regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment after departing Singapore.

U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific routinely for more than 70 years. Carl Vinson has deployed to the region and has operated in the South China Sea during 16 separate deployments over its 35-year history.

Carrier Strike Group ONE departed San Diego for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific, Jan. 5. Carl Vinson, CVW 2 and embarked Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 1 deployed with Lake Champlain and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and Wayne E. Meyer.

Carrier Strike Group ONE deployed with approximately 6,500 Sailors and will focus on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. The strike group assets will conduct bilateral exercises in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to include anti-submarine warfare, maneuvering drills, gunnery exercises, and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) subject-matter-expert exchanges.

While deployed, Carrier Strike Group ONE will remain under U.S. 3rd Fleet command and control, including beyond the international dateline which previously divided operational areas of responsibility for 3rd and 7th Fleets. Third Fleet operating forward offers additional options to the Pacific Fleet commander by leveraging the capabilities of 3rd and 7th Fleets.

USS Carl Vinson Strike Group Returns to San Diego May 23

From USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

At Sea (NNS) -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) are scheduled to return to their homeport of San Diego, May 23.

USS Carl Vinson serves as the flagship for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, which also includes Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1.

"The successful completion of this deployment is a testament to the high quality of men and women who volunteer to serve in our Navy," said Rear Adm. Thomas Shannon, commander of CSG 1. "Whether supporting U.S. and coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan; preventing piracy; or taking on our Navy's tradition of ambassadorship during overseas port visits to Hong Kong, Dubai, India and Australia, our strike group Sailors represented our country with great distinction and honor."

"This was the ship's second deployment in 18 months, and the crew performed superbly," said Vinson's Commanding Officer Capt. Kent D. Whalen. "I could not be more proud of my crew."

CVW-17 includes the "Sunliners" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, the "Stingers" of VFA-113, the "Redcocks" of VFA-22, the "Fists of the Fleet" of VFA-25, the "Garudas" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134, the "Tiger Tails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 and the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15.

Throughout the deployment, CSG-1 completed the following:

- Flew 1,085 Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) missions, totaling 6,600 total flight hours. This included close air support missions, support for coalition ground forces, airborne electronic warfare missions and airborne command and control missions.
- Delivered 7,283 pounds of ordnance and expended 1,717 rounds of 20mm ammunition in support of OEF.
- Conducted exercises with coalition countries and other nations, including Singapore, Britain, India
and Australia.
- 818 Sailors volunteered for 37 community relations projects and professional exchanges while
enjoying port visits in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, India and Australia.
- Carl Vinson earned the 2011 Commander Naval Air Forces Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") award for West Coast-based aircraft carriers.
- Carl Vinson hosted newsman Dan Rather for a three-day visit as the subject of a segment for the television news magazine "Dan Rather Reports." Halsey hosted Oliver North as part of the television news program "War Stories with Oliver North."
- Carl Vinson sailed more than 55,600 nautical miles.
- 676 Sailors earned their Enlisted Surface and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualifications.

Carl Vinson Returns to 3rd Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Byron C. Linder, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Sailors of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 returned to the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) May 11.

Vinson is currently transiting to her homeport in San Diego following a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East areas supporting maritime theater security operations in the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleets.

"The dedication demonstrated by every Sailor up and down the chain of command was the key factor in accomplishing every mission objective for our time in the 5th and 7th Fleets," said Vinson's Commanding Officer Capt. Kent D. Whalen. "With our return to 3rd Fleet, our focus may have changed but our mission-ready mindset continues."

Vinson serves as the flagship for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, led by Rear Adm. T.K. Shannon, which also consists of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1 guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97), guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and CVW-17.

CVW-17 encompasses the "Sunliners" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, the "Stingers" of VFA 113, the "Redcocks" of VFA 22, the "Fists of the Fleet" of VFA 25, the "Garudas" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134, the "Tiger Tails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 and the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15.

In addition to supporting its primary mission throughout the deployment, Carl Vinson completed the following:

- From Jan. 9 to March 24, flew 1,085 Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) missions, totaling 6,600 total flight hours. This included close air support missions, support for coalition ground forces, airborne electronic warfare missions and airborne command and control missions.

- Deployed 7,283 pounds of ordnance and expended 1,717 rounds of 20mm ammunition in support of OEF.
Conducted exercises with coalition countries and other nations, including Singapore, Britain, India and Australia.

- Made port visits and conducted community service projects in Hong Kong, Jebel Ali, India, and Australia.

- Earned the 2011 Commander Naval Air Forces Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") award for West Coast-based aircraft carriers.

- Hosted former CBS Evening News anchor and 60 Minutes correspondent Dan Rather for a three-day visit as the subject of a segment for television news magazine Dan Rather Reports.

- Sailed over 53,200 nautical miles.

Third Fleet leads naval forces in the eastern Pacific from the west coast of North America to the international date line.

Carl Vinson Conducts Second OEF Mission in 12 Months

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lori D. Bent, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 Sailors began conducting air missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Jan. 14.

To mark the beginning of their current U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) operations, Carl Vinson and CVW-17 safely launched 58 scheduled combat sorties.

"We are doing our first sets of mission for troops on the ground," said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class (AW) Kyle Pierce, Operations Department's, communications division air operations supervisor and departure controller. "We have to be on the top of our game to be there for the people who need us."

Carl Vinson and CVW-17 spent months performing work ups to train, man and equip the CSG prior to it deploying to the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

"Our main objective is safe departure and recovery of aircraft so they can successfully carry out their mission," said Cmdr. Brian Flick, Air Operations officer. "We are proud to be able to support OEF.
During Vinson's previous deployment to the AOR in 2011, the crew spent 95 days engaged in maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, and flew 1,656 combat sorties in support of operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

Carl Vinson and Carrier Strike Group 1 arrived on station in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 9, to relieve Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Carl Vinson is deployed with guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97).

CVW-17 is comprised of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, VFA-25, VFA-81, VFA-113; Electronic Attack Squadron 134, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 15.

Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Arrives in U.S. 5th Fleet AOR

Well we now have two Carrier Strike Groups and an Amphibious Ready Group in the 5th Fleet right now. Uh, Iran do you feel lucky today?

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

USS CARL VINSON, At sea (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Jan. 9.

While in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR, Carl Vinson CSG will conduct missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

Commanded by Rear Adm. Thomas Shannon, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 will also participate in routine scheduled exercises and engagements with coalition and regional partners.

"We will work closely with our regional partners to demonstrate our commitment to security and stability in the region," said Shannon. "Our arrival in Fifth Fleet represents our commitment to stand by our partners, friends and allies, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region."

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) is deployed with guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97). Embarked aboard Vinson is Destroyer Squadron 1 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, which include the "Fighting Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the "Sunliners" of VFA 81, the "Stingers" of VFA 113, the "First of the Fleet" of (VFA) 25, the "Garudas" of Electronic Attack Squadron 134, the "Tigertails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 and the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 15.

Carl Vinson and embarked CVW 17 departed its homeport of Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., Nov. 30, for a deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. CSG 1 departed Hong Kong Dec. 30, after a three-day port visit, prior to transiting to U.S. 5th Fleet.

The U.S. Navy 5th Fleet AOR encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, parts of the Indian Ocean and 20 countries.

USS Carl Vinson, Carrier Strike Group 1 Complete Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Timothy Hazel, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 completed a four-day Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint Exercise (FST-J) combined with the Army, Marines, Air Force and coalition forces from the Australian and Canadian navies Oct. 28.

FST-J is a pierside exercise completed in a virtual environment simulating real-world battle problems. It integrates joint forces, geographically separated, in a tactically and operationally demanding training environment.

"In the exercise, the strike group is connected with a network of patriot sites, air defense sites, as well as simulated sites," said Cmdr. Kyle Weaver, strike group training coordinator for Tactical Group Training Pacific. "This creates a massive dynamic environment with thousands of tracks in the system that the joint team has to work together to classify and respond to, as if we were actually underway."

In the virtual environment, trainers have total control of the battle problems and can make real-time adjustments based on the performance of the strike group, allowing battle problems to be tailored while maximizing training objectives.

"The unique aspect of FST-J is that we have the ability to inject several entities into the simulation," said Weaver. "We have complete control over what they do, how they act and what their capabilities are - as opposed to live training exercises, where there are a limited number of resources available to be sent to fight the enemy."

"Simulated air, sea and surface contacts look real to those participating in the exercise and the recommended actions are the same as if the ship were actually at sea," said Weaver. "The benefit is costs are significantly lower in a virtual exercise."

However, FST-J is not intended to replace live training exercises, but to complement them.

"There is no substitute to the real thing, but FST-J allows joint and coalition forces to complete a large-scale exercise that would otherwise not be logistically or financially possible," said Weaver.

USS Carl Vinson Strike Group Arrives In Seventh Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder, Commander, Seventh Fleet Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Carl Vinson Strike Group arrived in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility Dec. 31 as part of a scheduled deployment.

While in the 7th Fleet, the Strike Group will conduct exercises with allies and partners and visit ports around the region. Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG 1) is commanded by Rear Adm. Samuel Perez.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) is deployed with USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Gridley (DDG 101). Destroyer Squadron 1 is embarked aboard Vinson along with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17. CVW-17 is comprised of the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 15, the "Fighting Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron 22, the "Fist of the Fleet" of Strike Fighter Squadron 25, the "Sunliners" of Strike Fighter Squadron 81, the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, the "Garudas" of Electronic Attack Squadron 134, the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 113 and the "Tigertails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125.

"We are looking forward to every opportunity to build friendships and enhance partnerships in the region," said Perez.

The U.S. Navy maintains a robust forward presence in the Asia-Pacific region, utilizing both forward deployed naval forces in Japan and Guam, as well as rotationally deployed forces from the continental United States and Hawaii.

This deployment by the Vinson Strike Group includes several firsts. It is the first major deployment for USS Carl Vinson after a three-year nuclear refueling, and it is the first major deployment by Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1) since its establishment October 1, 2009. CSG 1 led USS Carl Vinson and USS Bunker Hill earlier this year in support of disaster response and humanitarian operations in Haiti. This is also the first deployment of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Stockdale, and USS Bunker Hill's first deployment since it underwent cruiser modernization, the first Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser to complete its mid-life modernization.

This is USS Carl Vinson's first visit to 7th Fleet since 2005.

Carl Vinson CSG to Depart for Training Deployment

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and crew members of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 will depart Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island Tuesday, Nov. 30, for a training exercise followed by a scheduled routine deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

As the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 1, led by Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, Vinson will deploy with USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Gridley (DDG 101). Embarked aboard Vinson is Destroyer Squadron 1 and CVW 17, which includes the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 15, the "Fighting Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron 22, the "Fist of the Fleet" of Strike Fighter Squadron 25, the "Sunliners" of Strike Fighter Squadron 81, the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, the "Garudas" of Electronic Attack Squadron 134, the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 113 and the "Tigertails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125.

This deployment will be the first deployment for the Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Stockdale.

"This will be Stockdale's maiden deployment," said Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Bennett. "Our team of awesome warfighters are ready to deploy, executing missions across all warfare areas and joining Destroyer Squadron 1 and the Vinson Strike Group team to be prepared to execute a full spectrum of military operations from presence and security to humanitarian assistance and disaster response."

The mission of the Vinson Strike Group while deployed will focus on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, which help establish conditions for regional stability.

Freedom Performs First Carrier Strike Group Operations

By Lt. Ed Early, USS Freedom (LCS 1) Public Affairs

USS FREEDOM, At Sea (NNS) -- The Navy's first littoral combat ship (LCS) recorded another milestone April 7, as USS Freedom (LCS 1) performed integrated at-sea operations with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

Freedom, Vinson, USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) conducted a series of training evolutions for the better part of the day, including communications drills, refueling and replenishment at sea, a surface gunnery exercise and a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise.

The evolutions provided confirmation of the ability of LCS to integrate into strike group operations.

"The opportunity for Freedom to work with a carrier strike group for the first time is icing on the cake of our first operational deployment," said Cmdr. Randy Garner, Freedom's commanding officer. "We are demonstrating how Freedom and future littoral combat ships are capable of working as part of a CSG when needed."

Freedom wasn't the only ship to benefit from the operations, said Capt. Bruce Lindsey, Carl Vinson's commanding officer.

"Operating with other ships is part of how we build our proficiency and expertise as Sailors," said Lindsey. "The opportunity to work with the Freedom is both new and unique. The training evolutions conducted by CSG 1 (Carl Vinson CSG) ships and Freedom provided a tremendous opportunity to lay the foundation for future strike group operations and integrated deployments."

The ships began the day with a series of communications and tactical picture exercises. From there, an SH-60 Sea Hawk from Carl Vinson brought Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander of the Carl Vinson CSG, and Capt. Donald Hornbeck, Carl Vinson CSG's deputy sea combat commander and Destroyer Squadron 1, for a visit.

"Freedom provides unique and tailored combat capabilities with the ability to meet littoral tasking not previously seen in our Navy," said Branch. "The range of surface operation capabilities is impressive and a welcome addition to the fleet."

Later, Freedom refueled from Carl Vinson - the first time an LCS has refueled from an aircraft carrier.

Following a surface gunnery exercise involving Freedom and Bunker Hill, the day's events concluded with a reaction team of Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from Freedom conducting a VBSS exercise using Bunker Hill as the boarded vessel.

Despite having conducted a number of real world boardings during operations in 4th Fleet, the exercise with Bunker Hill was good practice, according to Lt. Cmdr. Mel Pucan, officer-in-charge of Freedom's tailored LCS Surface Warfare Mission Package (SWMP).

"We're always looking for opportunities to improve our efficiency in maritime interception operations," said Pucan.

LCS is a fast, agile and maneuverable ship designed to complement the Navy's larger multimission surface combatants in select mission areas, including combating submarines, mines and fast-attack craft threats in the littorals.

More than two years ahead of schedule, Freedom began its maiden deployment Feb. 16 and is embarked with a SWMP, an air detachment from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 from Norfolk and a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment. Freedom is scheduled to complete its deployment and arrive in its homeport of San Diego in late April 2010.