Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Riggs | 230422-N-YD641-1435 JACKSONVILLE, Florida (April 22, 2023) The Sterling family poses...... read more read more
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NORFOLK – The “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46 returned home to Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida, April 22, 2023, following an eight-month deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 to the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations.
The Grandmasters have been deployed since August 10, 2022, as an integrated member of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7. The squadrons of CVW-7 include the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and HSM-46.
HSM-46 deployed combat elements onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103). Their team aboard the Truxtun remains deployed.
During deployment, the Grandmasters participated in a number of multi-national exercises and operations including, Juniper Oak, two iterations of Neptune Strike, and Mare Aperto. They worked alongside allies and partners from Albania, Croatia, France, Great Britain, Greece, Israel, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. These exercises strengthened partnerships and enhanced interoperability of U.S. and partner nation military forces, honing high-end joint warfighting tactics and techniques.
The Grandmasters executed 2,484 sorties totaling 6,265 flight hours, and 5,126 deck landings. Their aircraft and crews provided around the clock surface surveillance in the European Theatre, and participated in live submarine tracking operations. All made possible by 80,898 manpower hours their maintenance team executed to keep 10 aircraft in high-performing order.
The Grandmasters were led by their Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jamie “Bogo” Powers, their Executive Officer, Cmdr. Anne “Bob” Bruckman, and Command Master Chief Cory “Mary Poppins” Ervin.
“I could not be more proud of this group of young men and women, who selflessly devoted themselves to serving our great nation,” said Powers. “They are the one-percent of America that raised their right hand to defend freedom and democracy around the globe. Though we are all tired following these many months away from home, we all will return with a sense of pride and resiliency that we will carry for the rest of our lives. We give thanks to those who have come before us and showed us the way, and we give thanks to the unwavering support of our loved ones and friends on the homefront.”
The advanced capabilities of the MH-60R enable the Grandmasters to perform anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue missions, and logistic support missions.
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: | 04.22.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2023 19:35 |
| Story ID: | 443115 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 825 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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