More than 5,000 sailors of Carrier Strike Group 2 (CSG 2) will depart for deployment on Saturday from their homeports in Norfolk and Mayport.
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) will depart from Naval Station Norfolk along with guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103).
The guided missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) and guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) will depart from Naval Station Mayport.
Photos: The USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group on deployment
Aircraft squadrons include strike fighter squadrons VFA 213 “Fighting Black Lions,” VFA 31 “Tomcatters,” VFA 15 “Valions” and VFA 87 “Golden Warriors;” tactical electronics warfare squadron VAQ 134 “Garudas;” carrier airborne early warning squadron VAW 124 “Bear Aces;” fleet logistics support squadron VRC 40 “Rawhides;” helicopter maritime strike squadron HSM 70 “Spartans” and helicopter sea combat squadron HSC 9 “Tridents.”
The strike group will serve in the 5th and 6th areas of responsibility while deployed. They will conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) will depart Naval Station Norfolk Saturday, Feb. 15, for an independent eight-month Ballistic Missile Defense deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
