Norfolk, Va. — More than 5,000 Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and the guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun returned home to Norfolk on Saturday.
Carrier Air Wing 8 returned home on Friday.
The ships were serving as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, and returned after a nine-month deployment in the 5th and 6th U.S. Fleet areas of responsibility that saw the carrier launch airstrikes against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria. CSG-2 traveled a total of 73,400 nautical miles on the deployment.
Photos: The USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group on deployment
"I am extremely proud of each and every Sailor in the George H.W. Bush Strike Group and our many accomplishments during this 9-month deployment. The flexibility and striking power inherent in a Carrier Strike Group made a difference on this deployment, and professional Sailors made it all happen." said Rear Adm. DeWolfe H. Miller III, commander, GHWB CSG. "I am also eternally grateful for the wonderful support we all received from family members and friends, many of whom welcomed us home today."
Highlighting the versatility of a CSG, in one 30-hour period, CVW-8 flew combat sorties in support of the Afghan Democratic run-off elections. The Bush then quickly steamed west through the Straits of Hormuz transit and launched armed sorties into Iraq to counter ISIL extremist advances. The group's ships and aircraft were the first U.S. forces on scene providing combat capability over Iraq, and launched the first airstrikes in Iraq on August 8th.
"This ship and air wing team possesses tremendous capabilities which can, and did, have an immediate impact on events in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. This impact is generated not only by the incredible striking power of a Carrier Strike Group, but by the committed men and women aboard these ships that make it happen day in and day out in extremely trying conditions," said Capt. Andrew Loiselle, commanding officer of George H.W. Bush. "From day one, our Sailors came together and remained focused on the mission. I'm extremely proud of our Sailors and all they've accomplished."
In the early morning of Sept. 23, GHWB CSG and coalition partners participated in the first offensive strikes deep into Syria, engaging both ISIS and Khorasan Group targets using a mix of strike fighter and bomber aircraft as well as Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs). The 47 TLAMs employed in the strikes were launched from the USS Arleigh Burke and USS Philippine Sea operating in international waters from the Red Sea and North Arabian Gulf, respectively.
During 2014, the GHWB CSG team amassed 12,774 sorties for a total of 34,831 flight hours. Of the sorties, 3,245 were combat sorties with 18,333 combat flight hours. The aircraft made 10,003 catapult launches and arrested landings (traps) for the deployment.
During the deployment, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 delivered a total of 232 precision guided bombs, launched 47 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) and fired more than 2,400 rounds of 20mm ammunition.
This was the second combat deployment for the Bush.
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