Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Samuel Wagner | 221121-N-MW880-1083 ADRIATIC SEA (Nov. 21, 2022) An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to...... read more read more
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NORFOLK – The eight squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 returned to Naval Air Station Oceana, Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Naval Air Station Lemoore, and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, April 21-23, 2023, following an eight-month deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush CSG, to the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations.
Following completion of a four-week composite training unit exercise, CVW-7 deployed Aug. 11, 2022, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
CVW-7 completed over 12,100 sorties and 24,000 flight hours during deployment.
“I am forever proud of the brave men and women who serve this country,” said Capt. Alex Hampton, commander, CVW-7. “I am particularly impressed with the Sailors in Team Freedom who have left their husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters during this long deployment to the Sixth Fleet area of operation. These Americans serve proudly and brought peace and stability to a region that needed us. I can think of no greater team nor better teammates. Welcome home Team Freedom!”
Some of CVW-7’s highlight from the eight month deployment include the air wing’s participation in the NATO-led vigilance activities Neptune Strike (NEST) 22.3 and NEST 23.1. Additionally, the air wing participated extensively in exercise Juniper Oak 23-2, the largest bi-lateral U.S.-Israeli exercise in history.
Throughout the deployment, CVW-7 squadrons aided the strike group in its combined operations with key allies, and worked with the Italian Navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (C 550), Spanish Navy aircraft carrier ESPS Juan Carlos I (L-61), and the French Navy aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle during multiple integrated periods.
The versatility and interoperability of the strike group was highlighted when the Charles De Gaulle hosted the F/A-18 and C-2 Greyhound aircraft while George H. W. Bush hosted French Rafale aircraft.
CVW-7 also sent 10 F/A-18 crews to the NATO-led Tactical Leadership Program (TLP) at Albacete Air Base, Spain, Feb. 13 – March 3, 2023.
“It has been highly rewarding watching this air wing grow together from the start of workups until now,” said Lt. Connor “Waldo” Ross, a pilot assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140. “From huge multinational exercises like Neptune Strike and TLP to NATO support missions, the air wing has stepped up to the plate on this cruise.”
The George H. W. Bush CSG worked alongside allies to reassure NATO and European partners and to demonstrate deep U.S. commitment to the region.
“Join the Navy, see the world,” said Lt. j.g. Ash “Soda” Richmond. “My first carrier deployment took me to seven countries, including land detachments in Germany and Spain to integrate with U.S. Air Force and NATO partners. Being a part of the all-hands effort required to execute eight months of flight ops at sea has been a once in a lifetime experience, and I’ll never forget the friends that kept the comradery and spirits strong even when the days were long or challenging.”
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.
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2023 12:59 |
| Story ID: | 443108 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 702 |
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