Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Returning To US From Middle East

More than 4,400 Sailors and officers aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) are scheduled to return to Norfolk 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 (CSG) 12, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 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 (CSG) 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 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, CSG-12, Enterprise, CVW-1, DESRON 2, Leyte Gulf, Barry, Bulkeley, and Mason. The squadrons of CVW-1 embarked aboard Enterprise are the 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.”