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News | Jan. 23, 2017

GHWB Carrier Strike Group to Depart for Deployment

U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs Office

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS)  –  
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails through the Atlantic Ocean. Bush is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael B. Zingaro/Released)
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails through the Atlantic Ocean. Bush is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael B. Zingaro/Released)
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails through the Atlantic Ocean. Bush is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael B. Zingaro/Released)
GHWB is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment.
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails through the Atlantic Ocean. Bush is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael B. Zingaro/Released)
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Photo By: (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael B. Zingaro/Released)
VIRIN: 161208-N-KB401-458
Nearly 6,000 Sailors attached to the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) will depart Norfolk and Mayport, Florida, Jan. 21, for a regularly-scheduled deployment.

Led by Commander, Carrier Strike Group 2, Rear Adm. Kenneth R. Whitesell, the GHWBCSG is comprised of the staff of CSG-2; USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff and guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103); and Mayport-based guided missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Hue City (CG 66).

The squadrons of CVW-8 will depart bases including Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, NAS Whidbey Island, NAS Jacksonville, NAS Lemoore and Naval Station Norfolk. CVW-8 includes Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 "Fighting Black Lions"; VFA-31 "Tomcatters"; VFA-87 "Golden Warriors"; VFA-37 "Ragin Bulls"; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 "Lancers"; Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124 "Bear Aces"; Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HSM) 70 "Spartans"; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 "Tridents"; and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 "Rawhides".

The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.