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USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group Underway for Exercise, Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110213-01
2/13/2011

By USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) departed San Diego Feb. 2 for a training exercise and scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), departed along with its embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, which includes guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88).

"The crew is excited. This is what we do. This is what we train for," said Rear Adm. Robert Girrier, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7.

Girrier also explained that before deploying, it was necessary for the ship to complete a joint task force exercise (JTFX), which is a culmination of a year of exercises between the ships within the strike group. Upon successful completion of the JTFX, the ship and her crew began their scheduled deployment.

"It's a bittersweet moment thinking about the excitement of going out on a long deployment like this because the difficulty of leaving your family behind is a real sacrifice. These Sailors are ready to do it and I'm real proud of them," said USS Ronald Reagan Commanding Officer, Capt. Thom Burke. "We'll be on the other side of the world doing the nation's business. We're ready to do whatever our president asks us to do."

Friends and family members of Sailors aboard Ronald Reagan waved goodbye to their Sailors from the pier on Naval Base Coronado.

"I'm really proud about what he's doing and everything he does on the ship. It's hard but I'm proud of him," said Rebecca Piper, the wife of a Reagan Sailor.

The Ronald Reagan CSG is comprised of USS Ronald Reagan, guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, which includes USS Preble (DDG 88).

Embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 includes the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, the "Argonauts" of VFA-147, the "Blue Diamonds" of VFA-146, the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.