Completed Nimitz carrier strike group deploys from San Diego

U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Shoup united with other ships and units of their carrier strike group in San Diego to officially start their deployment on June 5.

USS Nimitz and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100), and USS Shoup (DDG 86) departed their homeports of Naval Base Kitsap, Washington, and Naval Station Everett, on June 1.

Once in San Diego, they incorporated guided-missile destroyers USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Pinckney (DDG 91), and the San Diego-based Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) to complete the carrier strike group.

The U.S. navy said this was a previously planned, routine deployment and not in response to any specific incident or regional event.

“This deployment is the culmination of months of intensive training and preparations,” said Rear Adm. Bill Byrne, commander, CSG 11. “The Nimitz Strike Group stands ready to respond to a wide variety of contingencies, be that a humanitarian disaster or a regional incident. We’re honored to be in this position to answer the nation’s call to duty.”

The strike group deployed with approximately 7,500 sailors and is focused on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.