Nimitz Strike Group enters 5th Fleet

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY, USAFRICOM, AT SEA

06.09.2013

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By MCSA Victoria I. Ochoa

5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS - The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with embarked Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 and Destroyer Squadron 23, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations June 9.

"I am proud of the Sailors and Marines of the strike group," said Rear Adm. Michael S. White, commander of CSG 11. "They have worked tirelessly to ensure that we arrive in theater ready to support ongoing operations. We look forward to working with our regional partners to demonstrate our commitment to security operations."

While in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Nimitz Strike Group will
conduct maritime security operations, which help set conditions for security and promote regional stability and global prosperity.

"We are eager to participate in fostering trust, cooperation and mutual
respect with our partner nations while working together to increase
stability in the area and ensure the vital sea lanes of this region remain
free for all maritime traffic," said White.

The squadrons of CVW-11 include the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter
Squadron (VFA) 154, the "Argonauts" of VFA-147, the "Blue Diamonds" of VFA-146, the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, the "Gray Wolves" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, the "Wallbangers" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, the "Indians" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 and the "Wolf Pack" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75.

U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, and is
responsible for about 2.5 million square miles of water including the
Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

While operating in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Nimitz and CVW-11 will also conduct missions in direct support of troops participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Date Taken: 06.09.2013
• Date Posted: 06.10.2013 00:45
• Story ID: 108374
• Location: U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY, USAFRICOM, AT SEA