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ATLANTIC OCEAN – Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG-8) received the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) award, March 11, for its 2015-2016 deployment, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
The award was approved by the Honorable Richard V. Spencer, Secretary of the Navy, “after the recommendations of the chain of command, including the Chief of Naval Operations, and the recommendation of the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals,” according to a memorandum released by the Secretary of the Navy.
All personnel assigned to CSG 8 between Nov. 16, 2015, and July 13, 2016, including the flagship Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28 and CSG-8 staff, are authorized to wear the MUC. More than 6,000 Sailors and Marines that deployed with the strike group will have the award added to their records.
“I am pleased to see the hardworking Sailors that took part in that deployment being rewarded,” said Senior Chief Navy Counselor James Osbourne. “The hard work and dedication of our Sailors and the drive to accomplish the mission was crucial to our success. I remember the deck plates humming 24 hours a day with Sailors doing their part to contribute to a successful deployment. I am glad to see them all be recognized. I know that in my career, that was the most impactful deployment I have ever been a part of.”
The MUC is awarded to a unit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services during a period of military operations against an armed enemy.
From November 2015 to July 2016, CSG-8 and Harry S. Truman completed a record-setting deployment with 2,054 combat sorties that delivered more than 1,598 pieces of precision guided munitions, substantially degrading ISIS resources and leadership
CSG-8 and Truman recently completed another historic deployment in December 2018, setting a new precedent for the fleet with the first ever Dynamic Force Employment (DFE) deployment.
“I am not sure if we will get awarded for our deployment in 2018 but it wouldn’t surprise me if we did because that was another successful deployment and HST accomplished so many great things showing the world that we can go anywhere. We truly defined DFE and we did it well,” said Osbourne.
DESRON 28 units during the awarded period include: DESRON 28 staff, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) and USS Gravely (DDG 107).
CVW 7 units during the awarded period include: CVW 7 staff, the “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA 103, the “Fist of the Fleet” of VFA 25, the “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA 143, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, the “Proud Warrior” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 detachment 3.
Harry S. Truman is currently underway conducting a Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX) with CSG 8 ships and squadrons to maintain qualifications and a deployment-ready status. For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/. For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn75/.
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.16.2019 10:05 |
| Story ID: | 318287 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 2,608 |
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