US Navy ships assigned to the Carl Vinson carrier strike group arrived in Guam on January 30 and 31 for the first port call of their Western Pacific deployment.
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and guided-missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) arrived with nearly 6,000 sailors. The strike group last visited Guam in February 2017.
“We visited last year and we are glad to be back,” said Rear Adm. John Fuller, the strike group commander. “Our sailors always feel welcome in Guam and we appreciate the community’s continued support.”
The strike group is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to conduct maritime security operations, promote freedom of the seas, and work with partners and allies to enhance regional security and stability.
The strike group’s deployment in the Indo-Pacific region marks the second time it is operating under US 3rd Fleet’s command and control. US 3rd Fleet’s control of ships and aircraft across the Western Pacific and beyond the international dateline to India enables US 3rd and 7th Fleet to operate together across a broad spectrum of maritime missions.
The strike group includes Carl Vinson, Carrier Air Wing 2, Wayne E. Meyer and Michael Murphy of Destroyer Squadron 1, and guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57).