Enterprise Strike Group MED 07 Deployment
ENTBATGRU
CVN-65 Enterprise
"Big E" / "Ready on Arrival"
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 departed Naval Station Norfolk for a regularly scheduled deployment 07 July 2007 in support of the global war on terrorism. This was Enterprise’s second deployment within the past 14 months. Big E returned from her most recent deployment 18 November 2006. As the Navy’s surge carrier, Big E continues to remain ready at all times to deploy at a moment’s notice. Constant training keeps Sailors and Marines stationed aboard the 45-year-old carrier and the embarked squadrons primed to fight any battle, whether against enemy aircraft in the sky or supporting ground troops in the global war on terrorism.
Months after their November 2006 homecoming, Big E Sailors kept busy with a rigorous training schedule which included numerous carrier qualifications as well as a Board and Inspection Survey in April 2007. “Our enemies are persistent and relentless, and in order to win the fight against terrorism, we must be persistent and relentless as well,” said Capt. Larry Rice, Enterprise commanding officer. “We must keep our minds sharp and focused on the mission.”
The USS Enterprise returned to sea 30 April 2007 for a cycle of carrier qualifications, following a four-week in port period for Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) preparations and inspections. Enterprise was last at sea 19 March through 01 April 2007 to conduct carrier qualifications with training squadrons from Naval Air Training, headquartered at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. For approximately two weeks, Enterprise was home to a few new squadrons as the pilots of the fleet replenishment squadrons train for carrier landings at sea. Enterprise also hosted Commander, Fleet Forces change of command ceremony as well as hers own change of command ceremony 18 May 2007.
Enterprise is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 12, which included the guided-missile destroyers USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) and USS Stout (DDG 55); the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and the fast-attack submarine USS Philadelphia (SSN 690) all based in Norfolk, and also the fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) based in Earle, N.J. There were nearly 7,500 Sailors and Marines in the strike group.
In addition to being the flagship of the strike group, Enterprise is also home to CVW 1. The air wing is comprised of the “Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet and the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136; the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86; the “Thunderbolts” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 all flying the F/A-18 Hornet. Also joining CVW 1 are the “Dragonslayers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11 flying the SH-60 Seahawk; the “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 flying the EA-6B Prowler; the “Screwtops” of VAW-123 flying the E-2C Hawkeye; the “Maulers” of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32 flying the S-3B Viking; and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 flying the C-2A Greyhound.
The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations 01 August 2007 to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in regional waters and provide air support to ground forces operating in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Enterprise CSG is part of the ongoing rotation of U.S. warships to the region. Their arrival demonstrated the United States’ resolve to enhance security and support long-term stability in the region. MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other materials.
