The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has left U.S. 5th Fleet headed home after seven months of supporting air operations in the Middle East, the service announced on Tuesday.
In addition to legacy strike group mission of supporting the air mission over Afghanistan, fighters from Carrier Air Wing (CAW) 8 also supported the U.S. led collation forces attacking the forces of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL) since airstrikes began over Iraq in August and Syria in September.
The CSG was relieved of its strike role shortly after the Carl Vinson CSG entered U.S. 5th Fleet in mid-October.
“Over the last eight months, these sailors executed complex missions with precision, extraordinary skill and complete professionalism. We remain ready to respond to any and all challenges while operating in [U.S. 6th Fleet],” Bush CSG 2 commander, Rear Adm. DeWolfe Miller, said in the statement.
The deployment, which began in February, is the second combat deployment for the Bush CSG.
In addition to the air wing, the CSG constits of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), USS Truxtun (DDG-103) from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG-80) and guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) from Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
The CSG is planned to return home in November.
