www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 27, 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE
Norfolk Naval Shipyard cuts ribbon on $191 million renovation of historic Dry Dock 4 Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) cut the ribbon for the completion of its Dry Dock 4 renovation April 19. Spanning more than three years, this $191 million project will allow NNSY to continue servicing a variety of submarine classes decades into the future. Page A6
VOL. 31, NO. 15, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
April 27-May 3, 2023
NORFOLK, Va. (April 23, 2023) Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), along with the staff of carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, wave to family members as the ship returns to Naval Station Norfolk following an eight-month deployment, April 23, 2023. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS ANDERSON W. BRANCH)
Reassure and Deter: George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group completes historic deployment From Carrier Strike Group 10
NORFOLK, Va. — The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) - comprised of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and the Information Warfare Commander — returned to Norfolk, April 23. The strike group arrived in the European theater in August of last year, projecting U.S. and Allied power and deterring aggression by training and operating with allies and partners for nearly eight months. Further showcasing the U.S.’s ironclad commitment to NATO, George H.W. Bush CSG hosted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg while under NATO command for the vigilance activity Neptune Strike (NEST) 22.2. “This carrier sends a powerful message of Allied deterrence every day,” Stoltenberg said during his visit. “A perfect example of the transatlantic bond — Europe and North America working together in NATO.” Stoltenberg said the George H.W. Bush
CSG’s participation in the vigilance activity demonstrated our ability to rapidly reinforce our Allies and project power across the Alliance. He added, “NATO’s strength helps to prevent any miscalculation by sending a clear message: NATO will protect and defend every inch of Allied territory.” In addition to NEST 22.2 and NEST 23.1, the strike group played a key role in major events with allies and partners throughout deployment including: Dual and tri-carrier operations five times in theater with ESPS Juan Carlos I, ITS Cavour, and the French Carrier Strike Group with FS Charles de Gaulle; Exercise Mare Aperto 22-2; Exercise Juniper Oak, the largest U.S.Israeli military exercise in history in support of U.S. Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet while assigned to U.S. 6th Fleet; Exercise Hemex Orion; Exercise Dynamic Manta; Shipboard exercises and events with ITS Caio Duilio, HRV Dubrovnik, ALS Butrinti and ALS Lissus, ITS Carabiniere, ITS Virginio Fasan, and TCG Gungor Durmas; Two iterations of the Spanish Tactical
Leadership Program (TLP) for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 personnel; The Athens International Air Show; The EURONAVAL Trade Show in Paris; Thirty-five key leader engagements, five major receptions and protocol events in Crete, Croatia, Italy, France, and Greece which included more approximately 1,536 visitors to the aircraft carrier alone; Multiple press conferences in NATO port visits to reassure host nation audiences and reinforce existing relationships for future maritime operations and international stability Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, George H.W. Bush CSG, and his major commanders and subordinate units continuously engaged senior military and civilian leaders throughout the region to increase unity of effort within the Alliance through 21st Century Maritime Diplomacy. “Since the beginning of our Navy, we have been seagoing diplomats. I have operated that way throughout my entire career, and our Sailors represented U.S. and Allied interests incredibly well throughout deployment,” Velez said. “The trust our strike group built with our Allies and partners is our
competitive advantage as an Alliance. Our teamwork increased our collective capability and deterred our adversaries, which I believe helped prevent expansion of war into NATO territory.” George H.W. Bush is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, CVW-7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55). The ships of DESRON-26 completing deployment with CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119). The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard the George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.
ABOVE LEFT: Electronics Technician 1st Class Karl Kraft, assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush meets his daughter for the first time after the ship’s return to Naval Station Norfolk.(U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MCS2 ANDERSON W. BRANCH); ABOVE CENTER: Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, the“Pukin Dogs,” returns to Naval Air Station Oceana. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MCS2 MEGAN WOLLAM); ABOVE RIGHT: Chief Fire Controlman Blake Kloepping, assigned to the USS Leyte Gulf, embraces his daughter on the pier at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MCS1 KRIS R. LINDSTROM); FAR LEFT: Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103, the“Jolly Rogers,” returns to Naval Air Station Oceana. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS MEGAN WOLLAM);
LEFT: Capt. Michael Weeldreyer, commanding officer of the USS Leyte Gulf, reunites with his sons on the pier at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MCS1 KRIS R. LINDSTROM)
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Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads service members and international allies gathered at the POW/MIA Chapel to observe a Days of Remembrance ceremony honoring the six-million Jewish people killed during the Holocaust. Page A5
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