Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Set to Deploy

From Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG), with more than 7,000 Sailors and Marines, will deploy Jan. 24 while the forward-deployed USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) undergoes scheduled maintenance in Yokosuka, Japan. Nimitz CSG is deploying under the Navy's fleet response plan (FRP) and will operate in the Western Pacific in support of U.S. commitments in the region. The FRP provides the United States with the ability to respond to any global commitment with flexible and sustainable forces and the ability to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice.

The Nimitz CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. Terry Blake, is comprised of Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, Destroyer Squadron 23, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), the guided-missile destroyers USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), USS Higgins (DDG 76), and USS Chafee (DDG 90), the "Scorpions" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49, the "Easy Riders" of HSL-37 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11.

The squadrons of CVW-11 include the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, the "Black Aces" of VFA-41, the "Sunliners" of VFA-81, the "Wallbangers" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117, the "Red Devils" of Marine Corps Strike Fighter Squadron 232, the "Black Ravens" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support 30, and the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 6. During the past few months, the Nimitz CSG has conducted several training exercises off the coast of California and is fully prepared to deploy. In September 2007, the Nimitz CSG returned from a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf and the Western Pacific. During its 2007 deployment, the Nimitz CSG supported Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, conducted Maritime Security Operations, and participated in joint and coalition military exercises and operations with many countries.

Commanded by Capt. Mike Manazir, Nimitz was commissioned in 1975, making it the first Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ship is named for World War II Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz.