Military

Cruiser Destroyer Group THREE

Cruiser Destroyer Group THREE [CCDG-3] missions are to plan and conduct operations/exercises in surface, subsurface, and air strike warfare as directed by the numbered Fleet Commander as well as participate in the development of tactical doctrine. In addition, provide assistance to the Type Commanders in the preparation of employment schedules and to supervise operational training and all elements of combat effectiveness. Further the staff will ensure that assigned ships are maintained at the highest possible standard of operational and material readiness.

CCDG-3 Staff consists of approximately 60 personnel, 25 officers and 35 enlisted. The staff has a varied and extensive professional background in order to deal with the breadth and scope of task group operations. All three warfare communities, air, surface, and subsurface are represented, as well as the intelligence, oceanographic, and legal communities.

Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group THREE (CCDG-3) was established on 30 June 1973 with the redesignation of Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla ELEVEN.

From August 1973 to mid 1980, numerous deployments to the Western Pacific were made embarked in CRUDES units. On 10 December 1981, the Staff embarked USS Ranger (CV 61) to prepare for its' first Carrier Battle Group Deployment. Since that date, deployments have been made on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). In the post-hostilities phase of Operation Desert Storm, CCDG-3 was the first Staff to take a large-deck carrier into the Arabian Gulf.

In April 1992 with the implementation of the Core Battle Group concept, CCDG-3 was assigned as permanent Immediate Superior In Command for USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Arkansas (CGN 41), and USS Vincennes (CG 49). The USS England (CG 22) was assigned to CCDG-3, but was decommissioned in January 1994. In August 1992, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and Commander, Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW 14) were added, and CCDG-3 took on the additional title of Commander, Carl Vinson Battle Group. In October 1992, Commander, Surface Squadron FIVE was redesignated Commander, Destroyer Squadron FIVE and assigned under CCDG-3. The addition of USS Cushing (DD 985), USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986), USS Fletcher (DD 992), and USS Reuben James (FFG 57) rounded out the Vinson Battle Group's forces. In December 1992, two submarines, USS San Francisco (SSN 711) and USS Asheville (SSN 758) were added. USS Lake Erie (CG 70) joined the group in March 1993 and USS Russell (DDG 59) joined in September 1994. CCDG-3 completed a very successful deployment to Arabian Gulf in August 1994.

In January 1996, Carl Vinson Battle Group was redesignated Carl Vision Task Group and Commander, Destroyer Squadron FIVE was reassigned to MIDPAC 1 February 1996. The Carl Vinson Task Group successfully completed all predeployment examinations and deployed in May 1996 with USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS Arkansas (CGN 41), USS California (CGN 36), USS Crommelin (FFG 37), USS Camden (AOE 41), USS Hawkbill (SSN 666), USS Jefferson City (SSN 759), Commander Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW 14), which included Fighter Squadron ELEVEN, Fighter Squadron ONE ONE THREE, Attack Squadron ONE NINE SIX, Air Anti-Submarine Squadron THIRTY FIVE, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE ONE THREE, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FOUR, and Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron ONE THREE NINE to the Arabian Gulf.

In June of 1998 CCDG-3 deployed to the Arabian Gulf. The deployment was the first onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).