Carl Vinson Strike Group WESTPAC 21 Deployment
CVN-70 Carl Vinson
"Gold Eagle"
In August 2020, Vinson completed a 17-month maintenance availability to receive major upgrades in order to support 5th generation aircraft, making Vinson the first aircraft carrier equipped to support both the F-35C Lightning II and CMV-22B Osprey. Upgrades include enhanced jet blast deflectors able to take the increased heat generated by the F-35C and the addition of the Autonomic Logistics Information System, which is the new computer network that supports the unique maintenance and tactical operations functions of the advanced aircraft. With its recent modifications, no other weapons platform has the responsiveness, endurance, multi-dimensional capacity, inherent battlespace awareness or command and control capabilities of CSG-1.
By mid-June 2021 U.S. Navy units assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 were operating in the Hawaiian Islands Operating Area and continue to integrate operations with the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. “Operating in Hawaii provides unique opportunities for Vinson to train jointly while positioned to respond if called,” said Vice Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. “They train to a variety of missions, from long range strikes to anti-submarine warfare, and can move anywhere on the globe on short notice.”
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the flagship of CSG-1, operated alongside Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Destroyer Squadron 1, the guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS Dewey (DDG 105) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112). "Training in the HIOA is an exciting opportunity to integrate with the other services in order to promote peace and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific," said Rear Adm. Dan Martin, commander, CSG-1. "We look forward to enhancing partnerships within the joint force as well as strengthening relationships with our allies and partners in the region.”
High level, joint and combined training among U.S. Navy forces ensures the U.S. military remains the preeminent military power in the region, capable of honoring its security commitments to allies, partners, and friends. Subsequently, Vinson will be conducting Combat Efficiency Operations to include integrated flight operations between CVW-2’s carrier-based aircraft and land-based Marine Corps and Air Force fighter squadrons, as well as U.S. Coast Guard C-130s.
Other components of the air wing include three U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Squadrons that fly the F/A-18 Super Hornet, one Electronic Attack Squadron that operates the EA-18G Growler, one Airborne Command & Control Squadron that operates the E-2D Hawkeye, one Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron and one Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron. Through multiplatform integration, CVW-2 will provide fleet commanders the ability to achieve the advantage across multiple domains.
In addition to joint flight operations, U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are conducting joint operations with U.S. Coast Guard cutters USCGC Midgett (WMSL 757) and USCGC Oliver Berry (WPC 1124) expanding interoperability between AEGIS weapons systems and unmanned systems. "Our strike group is prepared to carry out the full spectrum of missions, from humanitarian relief to combat operations," said Martin. "When a carrier strike group gets underway, we have to be ready for any contingency."
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VINCSG) operated in the South China Sea for the first time in September 2021 during the group's 2021 deployment. While in the South China Sea, the strike group conducted maritime security operations, which include flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft, maritime strike exercises, and coordinated tactical training between surface and air units. Carrier operations in the South China Sea are part of the U.S. Navy's routine presence in the Indo-Pacific.
"The freedom of all nations to navigate in international waters is important, and especially vital in the South China Sea, where nearly a third of global maritime trade transits each year," said Rear Adm. Dan Martin, commander, Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. "As we've transited the Pacific from San Diego to the South China Sea, we have had the privilege and pleasure to work alongside our allies, partners, and joint service teammates in training, exercises, engagements and operations - all with a common goal to ensure peace and stability throughout the region. It is in all of our interest that the international community plays an active role in preserving the rules-based international order."
The carrier strike group is led by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 and includes aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70); embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2; embarked staffs of CSG 1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1; Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57); Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90); and Independence variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16).
In the month prior to entering the South China Sea, the VINCSG participated in Large Scale Exercise 2021, conducted interoperability flights with U.K. Carrier Strike Group (CSG-21), and conducted a bilateral exercise with Joint Maritime Self-Defense Forces units.
The strike group is committed to upholding a rules-based international order with regional allies and partners, demonstrating the capability of forward-deployed naval forces to quickly respond across the region.
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict.
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and its strike group returned to the South China Sea for a joint exercise with a Japanese destroyer as leaders from countries in Southeast Asia held a virtual meeting to discuss regional issues including a maritime Code of Conduct. The U.S. Navy said in a statement that the strike group and the Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on Monday conducted maritime security operations including flights, coordinated tactical training between surface and air units, refueling-at-sea, and maritime strike exercises.
The USS Carl Vinson last sailed in the disputed South China Sea in early September. The strike group is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations “in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the Navy’s statement said. At the time of the first deployment, the group’s commander, Rear Adm. Dan Martin, told RFA its aim was to ensure the "freedom of all nations to navigate in international waters." He also spoke about how that was threatened by “unlawful and sweeping maritime claims” in the South China Sea – an apparent reference to China. The U.S. military and its allies have stepped up exercises in the South China Sea this year. It wasn’t clear whether the USS Carl Vinson’s latest deployment was at all timed for this week summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted a joint exercise with the US Navy in waters south of the southwestern prefecture of Okinawa. The MSDF said its destroyer Hyuga took part in the drill, which ran from 17 January through 22 January, 2022. It said the US Navy sent 10 vessels, including two aircraft carriers -- the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Abraham Lincoln -- as well as a destroyer and an amphibious assault ship.
It's unusual for the US military to send multiple aircraft carriers from bases on the US mainland to waters around Japan. In December, Japan's Defense Ministry said aircraft were observed taking off from and landing on a Chinese aircraft carrier sailing in the waters, which was seen as military training. The latest Japan-US joint exercise is apparently aimed at displaying their strong ties amid China's increasing maritime activities.
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group returned to San Diego, marking the end of an eight-month deployment to U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleets areas of operation, 14 February 2022. After an accelerated departure from San Diego, the Carl Vinson CSG supported integrated operations in the Hawaiian Islands operating area with the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard as part of the Defense Department’s ongoing presence in the Indo-Pacific region. They continued into the western Pacific demonstrating U.S. commitment to partnerships and alliances in the region while upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“The tireless dedication and professionalism of our Sailors, through a global pandemic, challenging operational tempo, and sacrificed time away from family, is truly humbling,” said Capt. P. Scott Miller, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the strike group’s flagship. “Their efforts have demonstrated flexibility and resiliency and ensured mission success in every task. They have directly supported a free and open Indo-Pacific and have underscored our Navy’s readiness, strength, and lethality.”
Ships in the Carl Vinson CSG sailed more than 80,000 nautical miles while underway for 262 days, conducted dual carrier operations and multinational exercises, including maritime security operations, integrated training between surface and air units, long-range maritime strike, anti-submarine warfare, information warfare operations, maritime interdiction operations, personnel recovery, air defense operations, multiple ship navigation and formation maneuvering, and refueling-at-sea operations. While deployed, the strike group operated in some of the most heavily navigated waters of the Indo-Pacific including the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea.
Carl Vinson is the first aircraft carrier to deploy with a combination of fourth and fifth-generation platforms within Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 that predominantly represent the “Air Wing of the Future,” including the F-35C Lightning IIs of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, the CMV-22B Ospreys of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets of VFAs 2, 113, and 192, the EA-18G Growlers of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes of Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 113, the MH-60R Sea Hawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78, and the MH-60S Sea Hawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4. The complete Air Wing of the Future will also include the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aircraft system, which is planned to be incorporated into carrier air wings in 2025.
During the deployment, the air wing executed more than 15,000 fixed-wing and helicopter flight hours comprising of 7,791 sorties, 7,702 launches and 7,761 aircraft arrestments. The strike group successfully completed operations and exercises alongside multiple partners and allies including navies from Australia, Canada, Germany, India, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom as well as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Notable multinational, bilateral, and U.S.-only exercises included Large Scale Exercise 2021 in August, Operation Malabar and Maritime Partnership Exercise 2021 in October, Annual Exercise 2021 in November, U.S. and Australia’s bilateral exercise in December and Expeditionary Strike Force and dual carrier operations in January 2022.
“Alongside our partners and allies, we have aggressively pursued every opportunity to elevate our combat readiness in a drive to continue upholding regional stability,” said Rear Adm. Dan Martin, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1. “We’ve been doing this for 75 years and I’m proud to say that our team has relentlessly paid tribute to this legacy with many long hours of sweat and determination that started well before we left San Diego.”
The strike group operated alongside several other strike and ready groups including: the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, led by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); Carrier Strike Group 21, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08); the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, led by Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2); Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Escort Flotilla 2, led by Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184); and, most recently, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, led by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
The Carl Vinson CSG consists of Carl Vinson, embarked staffs of CSG 1, CVW-2 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1; nine embarked air wing squadrons; guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57); and DESRON 1 guided-missile destroyers USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112). CSG 1 provides a combat-ready force to protect and defend the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its regional allies and partners. Collectively, the Carl Vinson CSG consists of more than 7,000 Sailors, capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions around the globe.
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