Part Of An Ongoing Rotation of U.S. Forces Supporting Maritime
Security Operations In International Waters
The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) departed its homeport
of Norfolk Jan. 13 to embark upon its first deployment since 2007.
Slated to deploy for operations in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th
Fleets, this deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of U.S.
forces supporting maritime security operations in international
waters around the globe.
Working with allied and partner maritime forces, the Enterprise
CSG units will focus heavily on maritime security operations and
theater security cooperation efforts, which help establish
conditions for regional stability. The Enterprise CSG consists of
approximately 6,000 Sailors who, during the last four months, have
successfully completed refresher training and certifications to
ensure they operate effectively and safely together. "We have
trained long and hard to get to this day," said Rear Adm. Terry B.
Kraft, commander of the Enterprise CSG. "Since beginning workups in
April of last year, this team of Sailors and Marines in our strike
group have honed their skills at sea in order to be ready to
execute our missions of forward naval presence, maritime security
operations, theater security cooperation and crisis response, if
required."
This is the third deployment leading an aircraft carrier into
combat operations during the last three years for Capt. Dee L.
Mewbourne, who assumed duties as commanding officer of USS
Enterprise (CVN 65) Jan. 4. Mewbourne most recently commanded USS
Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), where led her crew through two
successful combat deployments. "Enterprise has a proud history of
more than 49 years. Our nation, our Navy and our families, too,
should be proud of our crew who has gone above and beyond to make
the ship ready to deploy," said Mewbourne. "Make no mistake,
Enterprise and her crew are ready to answer our nation's call."
Before saying their goodbyes and pulling away from the pier,
Enterprise Sailors were busy working around the clock to make final
deployment preparations to ensure thousands of mission-essential
supplies were properly on-loaded, off-loaded and stowed for sea.
"We've been running the crane every day for the past few weeks now,
bringing on all kinds of materials for ship's company and the air
wing," said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. Cascella, who
works for the S-8 Division of Enterprise's Supply Department. "Our
duty sections were working up to taps each day to make sure we have
all the supplies we need and that they are organized and
distributed."
This deployment, the 21st for the carrier since its
commissioning in 1961, also marks the first deployment of the
centennial year of naval aviation. "For 100 years, we have operated
aircraft from the decks of warships. It's appropriate that our most
accomplished active aircraft carrier is the first to deploy this
year," said Kraft.
The Enterprise CSG consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile
cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS
Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS
Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.