The US Navy’s USS George H.W. Bush (GHWB) has made a transit through the Strait of Gibraltar for the first time after extensive maintenance.
The transit marks the first time the USS GHWB has operated in the strait since its 2017 deployment, after which it underwent long-term repairs. The ship was returned to the navy fleet in 2021.
In June, carrier strike group 10 (CSG 10) participated with Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO in a Composite Training Unit Exercise to evaluate “command-and-control between US and NATO chains-of-command” to prepare for the possibility of the GHWB’s deployment under the authority of NATO.
Later in the month, CSG 10 completed its final deployment certification exercise alongside the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Italian destroyer ITS Caio Duilio (D 554), and submarines from Brazil and Colombia.
Visit to NAVEUR-NAVAF Area of Operations
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier traveled to the region and entered the Mediterranean Sea as part of US Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area operations routine deployment.
While sailing in the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations, the carrier strike group will work alongside allied and partner maritime forces to improve cooperation and demonstrate the US maritime association’s dedication to security and commercial stability.
“We are here to provide the flexibility and combat power that only a U.S. Navy carrier strike group can provide combatant commanders,” GHWB Carrier Strike Group 10 Commander Rear Adm. Dennis Velez said.
“The Sailors of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group are clear-eyed about our mission, ready to execute, and prepared to reassure our partners and allies while allowing our diplomats to negotiate from a position of strength, knowing the U.S. Navy is on station,” Velez continued.
GHWB Carrier Strike Group
The GHWB Carrier Strike Group carries over 6,000 sailors. It comprises personnel from the CSG 10, George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing 7, Destroyer Squadron 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf.
The aircraft operators aboard the GHWB include the VFA-103 (Jolly Rogers), VFA-143 (Pukin’ Dogs), VAW-121 (Bluetails), VAQ-140 (Patriots), HSC-5 (Nightdippers), VFA-86 (Sidewinders), VFA-136 (Nighthawks), and HSM-46 (Grandmasters).
Destroyer squadrons deployed alongside the USS GHWB include the USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).