Carrier Strike Group Seven
Encyclopedia
Carrier Strike Group Seven also known as CSG-7, CARSTRKGRU 7, and Ronald Reagan Strike Group, is one of five U.S. Navy carrier strike group
s currently assigned the United States Pacific Fleet
. CSG-7 is based at Naval Air Station North Island
, and typically deploys as a command element aboard an aircraft carrier. The current flagship
for Commander CSG-7 (CCSG-7) is the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier .
and the Persian Gulf
.
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CSG-7 was commissioned as Carrier Division Seven in World War II
. It then was redesignated as Carrier Group Seven.
. The task group consisted of the carrier Stennis; Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7)
; the guided-missile cruiser ; the guided-missile destroyers and ; the destroyer ; the nuclear-powered attack submarines and ; and the fast combat support ship . CVW-7 squadrons embarked on board the Stennis included:
Light anti-submarine helicopter (HSL) squadron detachments deploying with Carrier Group Seven escort warships included:
The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group transited the Suez Canal
on 7 March 1998, arrivied in the Persian Gulf
on 11 March 1998 to relieved the 's carrier strike group.
From 12 March 1998, the John C. Stennis carrier group deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch
(OSW).
The battle group departed the Persian Gulf on 19 July 1998 for its new home port of Naval Air Station North Island
in San Diego, California, arriving on 26 August 1998.
completed as of 10 April 1999. Stennis was underway to conduct Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) 1 in Southern California Operating Areas between 19–26 May 1999 and TSTA II/III/Final Evaluation's Period (FEP) between 12–28 July 1999, with a port visit at Victoria, British Columbia
, from 28 July to 1 August 1999 before returning to San Diego on 4 August 1999. The carrier also underwent its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX)
between 06-26 August 1999. Stennis participated in FLEETEX 00-1 exercises between 29 October and 8 November 1999.
On 7 January 2000, John C. Stennis, with Commander Carrier Group Seven (ComCarGru7) embarked, deployed to the Persian Gulf to relieve the battle group as part of Operation Southern Watch
(OSW). Accompanying Stennis were the guided missile cruisers and ; the destroyers and ; the frigate ; the nuclear-powered attack submarines and ; and the fast combat support ship . Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) squadrons embarked on board the Stennis included:
Light anti-submarine helicopter (HSL) squadron detachments deploying with JCSCSG escort warships included:
The Stennis battle group entered the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility (AOR) on 17 January 2000, executed two brief rotations off the Korean Peninsula
, and paid port visits to Pusan, South Korea
, between 28–30 January 2000; Hong Kong
between 08-11 February 2000; and Malaysia between 16–21 February 2000.
. The battle group executed five rotations in support of Southern Watch as part of the Fifth Fleet, as noted below.
Carrier Air Wing Nine flew more than 10,000 sorties during the deployment, including over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. On 14 March 2000, CVW-9 aircraft and crews used six GBU-12 Paveway II
laser-guided bombs and three Joint Direct Attack Munition
air-to-ground weapons against hostile forces in southern Iraq. These combat expenditures were the first for the carrier Stennis. This air strike was directed at two Iraqi surface-to-air missile batteries near Abu Sukhayr and Al Numaniya in southern Iraq, which had been threatening coalition aircraft patrolling the No-Fly Zone. These Iraqi anti-aircraft missile batteries had been previously attacked on July 30, 1999. While in the Persian Gulf, Stennis, along with the other nine ships in its battle group, also enforced UN trade sanctions against Iraq.
and Indian Ocean
between 24 May-4 June 2000, enter the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility on 26 May, and paid port visits to Perth
, Australia
, between 04-7 June and Hobart
, Australia, between 12–17 June. The battle group entered the U.S. Third Fleet's area of responsibility on 14 June 2000 and subsequently particiapte in RIMPAC
2000, held between 20 May-6 July 2000, before returning to San Diego on 3 July 2000.
Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, Stennis conducted Operation Noble Eagle homeland defense missions off the U.S. West Coast, going through continuous exercises for the upcoming WESTPAC deployment in January 2002. On 12 November 2001, two months ahead of schedule, the Stennis battle group left on her third deployment to the U.S. Fifth Fleet. Commander, Carrier Group Seven and his staff were embarked. The battle group consisted of the carrier Stennis; Carrier Air Wing Nine; the guided-missile cruisers and ; the guided-missile destroyers and ; the guided-missile frigate ; the nuclear-powered attack submarines and ; and the fast combat support ship . Carrier Air Wing Nine squadrons embarked on board the Stennis included:
Light anti-submarine helicopter (HSL) squadron detachments deploying with battle group escort warships included:
The Stennis Battle Group entered the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility on 21 November 2001 and paid port visits to Hong Kong
between 30 November–4 December 2000 and Singapore
between 7–10 December 2001. Carrier Group Seven also paid port visits to Perth
, Melbourne
, Hobart
, and Pearl Harbor
before returning to San Diego on 28 May 2002 following its combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (OEF-A)
.
, becoming the fifth U.S. aircraft carrier operating in the northern Arabian Sea
during this period. On that first day of the combat operations, an American flag that was found in the rubble of the World Trade Center
was raised on board the Stennis.
On 9 March 2002, crewmembers of an Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter interceptor aircraft were recovered safely following a mishap while attempting to land aboard USS John C. Stennis operating in the North Arabian Sea. The VFA-211
aircraft was returning from a Operation Enduring Freedom combat mission over Afghanistan when it crashed into the sea after an unsuccessful landing attempt aboard the carrier. The pilot
and Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) were recovered from the water using the ship's SAR helicopter. Neither were seriously injured.
CVW-9 aircraft flew 10,600 combat sorties, logged 54,390 flight hours, dropped 275,000 pounds of ordnance, and used over 23,115,895 gallons of jet fuel during this deployment. The flight deck crew safely recovered 9,600 arrested landings. Stennis was the first carrier to launch strikes into Afghanistan and conducted flight operations for 111 days supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The carrier strike group sustained 100 days of continuous operations with only 4 days liberty in Bahrain
, allowing the ship to anchor only once, for a total of 107 days of combat operations.
Stennis was also the platform for the first coalition E-2 Hawkeye
and C-2 Greyhound aircraft cross-deck
landings from the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, as well as French Navy E-2 landings on board the Stennis.
On 21 November 2003, the Stennis Carrier Battle Group completed a 26-day Composite Unit Training Exercise
(COMPTUEX).
On 24 May 2004, the Stennis Battle Group departed Naval Station San Diego
for its 2004 WESTPAC deployment to participate in Operation Northern Edge
2004 in the Gulf of Alaska
. The battle group included the carrier Stennis, Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14), the guided missile cruiser , the guided missile destroyer , and the nuclear attack submarine . Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14)
squadrons embarked on board the Stennis included:
, other advanced training, and several port visits.
Part of Summer Pulse '04 included the Stennis Carrier Strike Group participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC
) exercise, a two-week-long multinational series of naval war games involving 40 ships, seven submarines, 100 aircraft, and nearly 18,000 military personnel from seven nations. RIMPAC 2004 focused on multinational training while building trust and cooperation among the participating naval partners. The carrier John. C Stennis was the flagship for the Multinational Task Force Commander, Rear Admiral Patrick Walsh, Commander Carrier Group 7.
The John C. Stennis and Kitty Hawk carrier strike groups then participated in Joint Air and Sea Exercise 2004 (JASEX 04). This second annual joint exercise involved air and sea training events focused on integrating joint training, and improving interoperability and teamwork between the two carrier strike groups, as well as with land-based Air Force and Marine Corps units forward deployed to in the Western Pacific. Typhoon Rananim
complicated the exercise, causing the two carrier strike groups to re-deploy 600 nautical miles (1,111.2 km) east to the Iwo Jima operating area. JASEX 02 ended on 15 August 2004.
, Malaysia between September 1–5, 2004.
Effective 1 October 2004, in keeping with the Chief of Naval Operations
' Guidance from Admiral
Vernon E. Clark
, Carrier Group Seven (CarGru 7) was re-designated as Carrier Strike Group Seven (CARSTRKGRU 7).
The carrier strike group also paid a port visit to Fremantle, Western Australia
, on 28 September 2004, and returned to San Diego on 1 November 2004. John C. Stennis was planned to shift homeport to Bremerton, Washington, in 2005.
Carrier Strike Group
A carrier strike group is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft...
s currently assigned the United States Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
. CSG-7 is based at Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...
, and typically deploys as a command element aboard an aircraft carrier. The current flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
for Commander CSG-7 (CCSG-7) is the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier .
Command relationships
CCSG-7's training and certification is under the authority of the U.S. Third Fleet. When deployed overseas, CSG-7 is under the command authority of the U.S. Seventh Fleet operating in the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Indian OceanIndian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
and the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
.
History
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It then was redesignated as Carrier Group Seven.
1998
On 26 February 1998, Commander, Carrier Group Seven (ComCarGru7) embarked aboard the aircraft carrier which was making her maiden deploymentMaiden voyage
The maiden voyage of a ship, aircraft or other craft is the first journey made by the craft after shakedown. A number of traditions and superstitions are associated with it....
. The task group consisted of the carrier Stennis; Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7)
Carrier Air Wing Seven
Carrier Air Wing Seven , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier .-Mission:...
; the guided-missile cruiser ; the guided-missile destroyers and ; the destroyer ; the nuclear-powered attack submarines and ; and the fast combat support ship . CVW-7 squadrons embarked on board the Stennis included:
|
VAW-121 Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 , also known as the "Bluetails", is an Airborne Early Warning squadron operating the E-2C Hawkeye based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... 4 E-2C Hawkeye E-2 Hawkeye The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the... VS-31 Sea Control Squadron 31 Topcats was a United States Navy anti-submarine warfare squadron, active during World War II, and later re-established in 1948, serving until 2008.... 8 S-3B Viking HS-5 Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Five Nightdippers is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Station Norfolk. The Nightdippers are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seven and deploy aboard the .-History:... 3 HH-60H Seahawk & 5 SH-60F Seahawk VRC-40 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 , also known as the "Rawhides", is a United States Navy fleet logistics support squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... 2 C-2A Greyhound |
Light anti-submarine helicopter (HSL) squadron detachments deploying with Carrier Group Seven escort warships included:
- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 44 (HSL-44) Det 4: 2 SH-60B Seahawk on board
- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 48 (HSL-48) Det 3: 2 SH-60B Seahawk on board
The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group transited the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
on 7 March 1998, arrivied in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
on 11 March 1998 to relieved the 's carrier strike group.
From 12 March 1998, the John C. Stennis carrier group deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
(OSW).
The battle group departed the Persian Gulf on 19 July 1998 for its new home port of Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...
in San Diego, California, arriving on 26 August 1998.
1998–1999 operations
Stennis was underway for FLEETEX 00-1 exercises between 29 October and 8 November 1998. Beginning in October 1998, Stennis entered a 6-month Phased Incremental Availability (PIA) for maintenance and upgrades at North IslandNaval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...
completed as of 10 April 1999. Stennis was underway to conduct Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) 1 in Southern California Operating Areas between 19–26 May 1999 and TSTA II/III/Final Evaluation's Period (FEP) between 12–28 July 1999, with a port visit at Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, from 28 July to 1 August 1999 before returning to San Diego on 4 August 1999. The carrier also underwent its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX)
Composite Unit Training Exercise
COMPTUEX, or Composite Training Unit Exercise, is a rehearsal each US Navy Carrier Strike Group performs before departing for deployment. Each ship and aircraft in the battle group trains in its speciality, COMPTUEX brings ships together to project force as a battle group...
between 06-26 August 1999. Stennis participated in FLEETEX 00-1 exercises between 29 October and 8 November 1999.
2000 WESTPAC deployment
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
(OSW). Accompanying Stennis were the guided missile cruisers and ; the destroyers and ; the frigate ; the nuclear-powered attack submarines and ; and the fast combat support ship . Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) squadrons embarked on board the Stennis included:
|
VAW-121 Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 , also known as the "Bluetails", is an Airborne Early Warning squadron operating the E-2C Hawkeye based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... 4 E-2C Hawkeye E-2 Hawkeye The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the... VS-31 Sea Control Squadron 31 Topcats was a United States Navy anti-submarine warfare squadron, active during World War II, and later re-established in 1948, serving until 2008.... 8 S-3B Viking HS-5 Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Five Nightdippers is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Station Norfolk. The Nightdippers are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seven and deploy aboard the .-History:... 4 HH-60H Seahawk & 4 SH-60F Seahawk VRC-40 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 , also known as the "Rawhides", is a United States Navy fleet logistics support squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... 2 C-2A Greyhound |
Light anti-submarine helicopter (HSL) squadron detachments deploying with JCSCSG escort warships included:
- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 37 (HSL-37) Det 1: 2 SH-60B Seahawk on board
- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 37 (HSL-37) Det 8: 2 SH-60B Seahawk on board
- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 45 (HSL-45) Det 5: 2 SH-60B Seahawk on board
- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 47 (HSL-47) Det 5: 2 SH-60B Seahawk on board
The Stennis battle group entered the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility (AOR) on 17 January 2000, executed two brief rotations off the Korean Peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
, and paid port visits to Pusan, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, between 28–30 January 2000; Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
between 08-11 February 2000; and Malaysia between 16–21 February 2000.
Operation Southern Watch
Carrier Group Seven entered the U.S. Fifth Fleet's area of responsibility on 26 February 2000 and, led by the cruiser Port Royal, subsequently transited the Straits of Hormuz between 27–28 February 2000, entering the Persian GulfPersian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
. The battle group executed five rotations in support of Southern Watch as part of the Fifth Fleet, as noted below.
| Rotation | Underway Periods | Port Visits | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Operational Area | Operating Force | Location | Dates | ||
| 1st: | 01-17 March 2000 | Persian Gulf – GULFEX, Neon Falcon, Operation Southern Watch (OSW) | U.S. Fifth Fleet | Bahrain | 18–22 March 2000 | |
| 2nd: | 20 March–9 April 2000 | Persian Gulf – MIO surge Maritime Interdiction Operations Maritime Interdiction Operations are naval conducted operations, that aim to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies en route to the battle area before they do any harm against friendly forces, similar to Air Interdiction Operations.... , Arabian Gauntlet, Operation Southern Watch (OSW) |
U.S. Fifth Fleet | Jebel Ali, UAE | 09-12 April 2000 | |
| 3rd: | 14–29 April 2000 | Persian Gulf – Operation Southern Watch (OSW) | U.S. Fifth Fleet | Jebel Ali, UAE | 29 April-4 May 2000 | |
| 4th: | 04-16 May 2000 | Persian Gulf – Operation Southern Watch (OSW) | U.S. Fifth Fleet | Jebel Ali, UAE | 17–21 May 2000 | |
| 5th: | 16–23 May 2000 | Persian Gulf – Operation Southern Watch (OSW) | U.S. Fifth Fleet | N/A | N/A |
Carrier Air Wing Nine flew more than 10,000 sorties during the deployment, including over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. On 14 March 2000, CVW-9 aircraft and crews used six GBU-12 Paveway II
GBU-12 Paveway II
The GBU-12 PAVEWAY II laser-guided bomb is an American aerial bomb, based on the Mk 82 500-pound general-purpose bomb, but with the addition of a nose-mounted laser seeker and fins for guidance. A member of the PAVEWAY series of weapons, PAVEWAY II entered into service c. 1976. It is currently in...
laser-guided bombs and three Joint Direct Attack Munition
Joint Direct Attack Munition
The Joint Direct Attack Munition is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs" into all-weather "smart" munitions. JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System receiver, giving them a published range of up to...
air-to-ground weapons against hostile forces in southern Iraq. These combat expenditures were the first for the carrier Stennis. This air strike was directed at two Iraqi surface-to-air missile batteries near Abu Sukhayr and Al Numaniya in southern Iraq, which had been threatening coalition aircraft patrolling the No-Fly Zone. These Iraqi anti-aircraft missile batteries had been previously attacked on July 30, 1999. While in the Persian Gulf, Stennis, along with the other nine ships in its battle group, also enforced UN trade sanctions against Iraq.
RIMPAC 2000
Led by the destroyer Russell, the Stennis battle group exited the Strait of Hormuz between 22–23 May 2000. The battle group crossed the Arabian SeaArabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
and Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
between 24 May-4 June 2000, enter the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility on 26 May, and paid port visits to Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, between 04-7 June and Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, Australia, between 12–17 June. The battle group entered the U.S. Third Fleet's area of responsibility on 14 June 2000 and subsequently particiapte in RIMPAC
RIMPAC
RIMPAC, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, is the world's largest international maritime exercise. Conducted biennially , it is hosted and administered by the United States Navy, with the United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the leadership of...
2000, held between 20 May-6 July 2000, before returning to San Diego on 3 July 2000.
2001–2002 WESTPAC deployment
|
VAW-121 Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 , also known as the "Bluetails", is an Airborne Early Warning squadron operating the E-2C Hawkeye based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... 4 E-2C Hawkeye E-2 Hawkeye The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the... VS-31 Sea Control Squadron 31 Topcats was a United States Navy anti-submarine warfare squadron, active during World War II, and later re-established in 1948, serving until 2008.... 8 S-3B Viking HS-5 Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Five Nightdippers is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Station Norfolk. The Nightdippers are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seven and deploy aboard the .-History:... 4 HH-60H Seahawk & 4 SH-60F Seahawk VRC-40 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 , also known as the "Rawhides", is a United States Navy fleet logistics support squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... 2 C-2A Greyhound |
Light anti-submarine helicopter (HSL) squadron detachments deploying with battle group escort warships included:
- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 31 (HSL-31) Det 1: 2 SH-60B Seahawk on board
- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 43 (HSL-43) Det 6: 2 SH-60B Seahawk on board
- Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 47 (HSL-47) Det 2: 2 SH-60B Seahawk on board
The Stennis Battle Group entered the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility on 21 November 2001 and paid port visits to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
between 30 November–4 December 2000 and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
between 7–10 December 2001. Carrier Group Seven also paid port visits to Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, and Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
before returning to San Diego on 28 May 2002 following its combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (OEF-A)
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
.
Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan
On 15 December 2001, the Stennis battle group began a four-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (OEF-A) and Operation AnacondaOperation Anaconda
Operation Anaconda took place in early March 2002 in which the United States military and CIA Paramilitary Officers, working with allied Afghan military forces, and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization and non NATO forces attempted to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in the Shahi-Kot...
, becoming the fifth U.S. aircraft carrier operating in the northern Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
during this period. On that first day of the combat operations, an American flag that was found in the rubble of the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
was raised on board the Stennis.
| Rotation | Combat Operations Underway Periods | Port Visits | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Operational Area | Operating Force | Location | Dates | ||
| 1st: | 15 December 2001—16 March 2002 | North Arabian Sea | U.S. Fifth Fleet | Bahrain | 17–21 March 2002 | |
| 2nd: | 22 March–7 April 2002 | North Arabian Sea | U.S. Fifth Fleet | Perth, Australia | 28 April-2 May 2002 | |
On 9 March 2002, crewmembers of an Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter interceptor aircraft were recovered safely following a mishap while attempting to land aboard USS John C. Stennis operating in the North Arabian Sea. The VFA-211
VFA-211
Strike Fighter Squadron 211 , nicknamed the "Fighting Checkmates", is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1945. The squadron is based at Naval Air Station Oceana and is equipped with the F/A-18F Super Hornet....
aircraft was returning from a Operation Enduring Freedom combat mission over Afghanistan when it crashed into the sea after an unsuccessful landing attempt aboard the carrier. The pilot
United States Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
and Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) were recovered from the water using the ship's SAR helicopter. Neither were seriously injured.
CVW-9 aircraft flew 10,600 combat sorties, logged 54,390 flight hours, dropped 275,000 pounds of ordnance, and used over 23,115,895 gallons of jet fuel during this deployment. The flight deck crew safely recovered 9,600 arrested landings. Stennis was the first carrier to launch strikes into Afghanistan and conducted flight operations for 111 days supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The carrier strike group sustained 100 days of continuous operations with only 4 days liberty in Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, allowing the ship to anchor only once, for a total of 107 days of combat operations.
Stennis was also the platform for the first coalition E-2 Hawkeye
E-2 Hawkeye
The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
and C-2 Greyhound aircraft cross-deck
Cross-deck (naval terminology)
For the component of an aircraft carrier arresting gear , see Cross deck pendantCross-deck is United States Navy jargon which may refer to either informal, ad-hoc sharing of resources between naval vessels , or the use of carrier decks to host aircraft of foreign allies, aircraft from other ships...
landings from the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, as well as French Navy E-2 landings on board the Stennis.
2002-2003 operations
From June 2002 to January 2003, the Stennis underwent a seven-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). On 15 November 2003, Rear Admiral Matt Moffit turned over command of Carrier Group Seven (ComCarGru 7) to Rear Admiral Patrick M. Walsh during a change of command ceremony on board the .On 21 November 2003, the Stennis Carrier Battle Group completed a 26-day Composite Unit Training Exercise
Composite Unit Training Exercise
COMPTUEX, or Composite Training Unit Exercise, is a rehearsal each US Navy Carrier Strike Group performs before departing for deployment. Each ship and aircraft in the battle group trains in its speciality, COMPTUEX brings ships together to project force as a battle group...
(COMPTUEX).
2004 operations
During March 2004, the carrier strike group began a six-week Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in preparation for its upcoming overseas deployment.On 24 May 2004, the Stennis Battle Group departed Naval Station San Diego
Naval Station San Diego
Naval Base San Diego is the largest base of the United States Navy on the west coast of the United States, in San Diego, California. Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, consisting of 54 ships and over 120 tenant commands. The base is composed of 13 piers stretched...
for its 2004 WESTPAC deployment to participate in Operation Northern Edge
Northern Edge
Northern Edge is Alaska's premier military joint training exercise.Alaskan Command uses expansive Alaskan training ranges to conduct these joint training operations.Northern Edge 2008 was a joint training exercise running May 5–16, 2008...
2004 in the Gulf of Alaska
Gulf of Alaska
The Gulf of Alaska is an arm of the Pacific Ocean defined by the curve of the southern coast of Alaska, stretching from the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island in the west to the Alexander Archipelago in the east, where Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage are found.The entire shoreline of the Gulf is...
. The battle group included the carrier Stennis, Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14), the guided missile cruiser , the guided missile destroyer , and the nuclear attack submarine . Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14)
Carrier Air Wing Fourteen
Carrier Air Wing Fourteen , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.-Mission:...
squadrons embarked on board the Stennis included:
|
VAW-121 Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 , also known as the "Bluetails", is an Airborne Early Warning squadron operating the E-2C Hawkeye based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... 4 E-2C Hawkeye E-2 Hawkeye The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the... VS-31 Sea Control Squadron 31 Topcats was a United States Navy anti-submarine warfare squadron, active during World War II, and later re-established in 1948, serving until 2008.... 6 S-3B Viking HS-5 Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Five Nightdippers is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Station Norfolk. The Nightdippers are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seven and deploy aboard the .-History:... 5 HH-60H Seahawk & 3 SH-60F Seahawk VRC-40 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 , also known as the "Rawhides", is a United States Navy fleet logistics support squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk... 2 C-2A Greyhound |
Summer Pulse
Summer Pulse '04 (SP04), beginning in June 2004, was the U.S. Navy's first full scale exercise of its new operational construct, the Fleet Response Plan (FRP). The exercise included scheduled deployments, surge operations, joint and international exercises such as Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004RIMPAC
RIMPAC, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, is the world's largest international maritime exercise. Conducted biennially , it is hosted and administered by the United States Navy, with the United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the leadership of...
, other advanced training, and several port visits.
Part of Summer Pulse '04 included the Stennis Carrier Strike Group participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC
RIMPAC
RIMPAC, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, is the world's largest international maritime exercise. Conducted biennially , it is hosted and administered by the United States Navy, with the United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the leadership of...
) exercise, a two-week-long multinational series of naval war games involving 40 ships, seven submarines, 100 aircraft, and nearly 18,000 military personnel from seven nations. RIMPAC 2004 focused on multinational training while building trust and cooperation among the participating naval partners. The carrier John. C Stennis was the flagship for the Multinational Task Force Commander, Rear Admiral Patrick Walsh, Commander Carrier Group 7.
The John C. Stennis and Kitty Hawk carrier strike groups then participated in Joint Air and Sea Exercise 2004 (JASEX 04). This second annual joint exercise involved air and sea training events focused on integrating joint training, and improving interoperability and teamwork between the two carrier strike groups, as well as with land-based Air Force and Marine Corps units forward deployed to in the Western Pacific. Typhoon Rananim
2004 Pacific typhoon season
The 2004 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 2004, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November...
complicated the exercise, causing the two carrier strike groups to re-deploy 600 nautical miles (1,111.2 km) east to the Iwo Jima operating area. JASEX 02 ended on 15 August 2004.
2004 Port visits and redesignation
The John C. Stennis carrier strike group paid a four-day port visit to Sasebo, Japan, departing on 25 August 2004, and subsequently paid a port visit to Port KlangPort Klang
Port Klang is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Colonially known as Port Swettenham, it is also the location of the largest and busiest port in the country. As such, its economic progress has been greatly influenced by the port activities in its area...
, Malaysia between September 1–5, 2004.
Effective 1 October 2004, in keeping with the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
' Guidance from Admiral
Admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health...
Vernon E. Clark
Vern Clark
Admiral Vernon E. Clark USN was the Chief of Naval Operations in the United States Navy. He retired 22 July 2005, making his tenure of five years the second-longest serving CNO behind Arleigh Burke. He currently sits on the board of directors of Raytheon and SRI International...
, Carrier Group Seven (CarGru 7) was re-designated as Carrier Strike Group Seven (CARSTRKGRU 7).
The carrier strike group also paid a port visit to Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
, on 28 September 2004, and returned to San Diego on 1 November 2004. John C. Stennis was planned to shift homeport to Bremerton, Washington, in 2005.
External links
- John Stennis Carrier Strike Group - GlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
- Carrier Group Seven - GlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...