A previous version of this post had the incorrect hull number for carrier Harry S. Truman.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) — centered on nuclear aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) — is slated to depart Naval Station Norfolk on Monday to join the U.S. led coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL).
The Truman CSG deployment will include guided missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG-68) and guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), USS Gravely (DDG-107) and USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) as well as Carrier Air Wing 7.
“While deployed, the strike group will serve in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts,” read a Friday statement from U.S. Fleet Forces.
The news of the Monday deployment comes a month after the Theodore Roosevelt CSG left U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Central Command leaving the region without a U.S. carrier in the area for the first time in years.
When air strikes began against ISIS in 2014, U.S. carriers were the centerpiece of Operation Inherent Resolve while the U.S. secured allies and airfields for land-based airstrikes against ISIS.
The gap between Roosevelt and Truman — which will probably be about two months — will likely be a more common occurrence as the Navy catches up with more than decade of differed maintenance on its carrier forces.
Last year an extension of a maintenance for Truman prompted the Truman CSG and the Eisenhower CSG to swapped places in their planned deployments.
On Friday, the Navy announced the Roosevelt CSG had chopped into U.S. 3rd Fleet in route bound for its new homeport at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
The move is part of a three carrier swap that deployed USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) to Japan and sent USS George Washington (CVN-73) to begin its midlife refueling in Newport News, Va.
The following is the complete U.S. Fleet Forces release on the Truman CSG deployment.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release 15-15
November 13, 2015
Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to Depart for Deployment
NORFOLK, Va. – More than 5,000 Sailors attached to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 are scheduled to depart Norfolk Monday, Nov. 16.
The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), commanded by Capt. Ryan B. Scholl, will depart Naval Station Norfolk along with guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) and guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66).
Commanded by Rear Adm. Bret Batchelder, Harry S. Truman CSG is comprised of Truman with embarked squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Anzio and staff from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, whose ships include Bulkeley, Gravely and Gonzalez.
CVW-7 consists of nine aircraft squadrons:
.The “Pukin’ Dogs” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 flying F/A-18E Super Hornets;
.The “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 flying F/A-18F Super Hornets;
.The “Rampagers” of VFA-83 flying F/A-18C Hornets;
.The “Fist of the Fleet” of VFA-25 flying F/A-18E Super Hornets;
.The “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 flying MH-60S Sea Hawks;
.The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistic Support Squadron (VRC) 40, Det. 1 flying C-2A Greyhounds;
.The “Wallbangers” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, flying E-2C Hawkeyes;
.The “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 flying F/A-18G Growlers;
.The “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72 flying MH-60R Sea Hawks
While deployed, the strike group will serve in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) will also depart Naval Station Norfolk Monday, Nov. 16, for an eight-month, independent Ballistic Missile Defense deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
