Guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) departed from its homeport of Norfolk, Va. for its deployment as part of George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG), May 11.
The strike group and its nearly 6,000 Sailors, led by the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), is scheduled to conduct operations in the U.S. Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
“We’re going to do exercises with the British and the Spanish en route to the Adriatic Sea, where we will participate in the Partnership of Adriatic Mariners,” said Cmdr. Brian Sorenson, Mitscher’s commanding officer . “We’ll eventually make our way into the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) to execute whatever mission we’re tasked with.”
The deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of U.S. forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe. Working with coalition 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.
Sorenson said the ship is well-prepared and ready to meet its missions.
“The ship’s in the best shape she’s been in 10 years,” Sorenson said. “There isn’t a more combat-ready, better prepared ship afloat right now.”
The five ships and eight aircraft squadrons assigned GHWB CSG 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 anti-piracy and ground support operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
George H.W. Bush Strike Group consists of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, 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).
By Deven King ( navy ) [mappress] Source: navy, May 13, 2011;