NORFOLK, Va. - More than 6,000 Sailors from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG 10) returned to their homeports on Friday after a seven-month deployment.
Returning to Naval Station Norfolk are the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), and guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).
The USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) is returning to Naval Station Mayport.
The group left for their deployment on June 1.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Dec. 13, 2016) Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 fly in formation above the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike). Ike, currently deployed as part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Rafael Martie)
The group deployed to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility and provided maritime security, conducting combat missions and launching F/A-18 strikes against ISIL in Syria and Iraq. The Navy says the strike group's support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Odyssey Resolve and Operation Oaken Steel was integral to each mission's success.
While conducting operations in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, USS Mason defended itself and other U.S. ships from multiple inbound anti-ship cruise missiles during the week of Oct. 9. In response to these threats, Sailors aboard USS Nitze swiftly carried out a defensive Tomahawk strike against three radar sites on the Yemeni coast. These combined actions reduced adversary capabilities in this strategic maritime chokepoint and helped ensure continued free-flow of commerce throughout the region.
The Eisenhower CSG is commanded by Rear Adm. James Malloy and comprised of Ike, embarked squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, CSG 10 staff, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff and ships.
