Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) said their goodbyes to friends and family prior to getting underway for an eight to nine- month deployment July 22.
Truman, along with the other components of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG), completed a composite training unit exercise in January prior to their originally scheduled February deployment, and also a sustainment exercise and fleet synthetic training exercise in June.
“The crew has operated and trained extensively at sea the past several months and the training scenarios were more complex and challenging,” said Capt. Bob Roth, Truman’s commanding officer. “The ship’s and air wing’s warfighting proficiency has increased substantially since our deployment was delayed in February. I couldn’t be more proud of the crew; they are dedicated, skilled, and tremendously enthusiastic about deploying.”
The February deployment was delayed due to sequestration and the change of aircraft carrier presence requirements in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.
The current deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations (MSO) in the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet areas of operations.
MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
Truman is the flagship for HST CSG. It can travel in excess of 30 knots, and has a ship’s company of approximately 3,000. With the embarked air wing and staffs, the number rises to about 5,000.
HST CSG also consists of USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Mason (DDG 87), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), 1st Combined Destroyer Squadron staff and Carrier Air Wing 3 and its associated squadrons – Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 32 “Swordsmen,” VFA-37 “Ragin’ Bulls,” and VFA-105 “Gunslingers;” Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 “Checkerboards;” Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 “Seahawks;” Electronic Attack Squadron) 130 “Zappers;” Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 7 “Dusty Dogs;” and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 “Swamp Foxes.”
[mappress] Press Release, July 24, 2013; Image: US Navy