NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. - More than 4,400 sailors and officers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) will return home July 15 after a six-month deployment supporting operations in the Mediterranean and the Arabian Sea.
Enterprise, along with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Carrier Strike Group 12, Destroyer Squadron 2, guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) are scheduled to return to Naval Station Norfolk. USS Mason (DDG 87) is also a member of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group and is scheduled to return to Norfolk later this month.
The carrier, commanded by Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, traveled nearly 60,000 miles after leaving Norfolk on Jan. 13 to support theater security cooperation and maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
Enterprise CSG is made up of Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12, the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Destroyer Squadron 2, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), and USS Mason (DDG 87). The squadrons of CVW 1 embarked in Enterprise are Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 “Red Rippers,” VFA-136 “Knighthawks,” VFA-211 “Fighting Checkmates,” Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251 “Thunderbolts,” Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 “Screwtops,” Carrier Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 137 “Rooks,” Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 “Rawhides,” and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11 “Dragonslayers.”
For news regarding ENT CSG’s deployment, log onto www.navy.mil/local/cvn65. Visit the ship’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USS.Enterprise.CVN.65.