George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Deploys 

NORFOLK, Va. — Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) deployed aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) from Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 10, the carrier strike group said in a release.

The aircraft carrier joins guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and guided-missile destroyers USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), USS Farragut (DDG 99) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103) which recently departed from their homeports. Delbert D. Black is underway on its first deployment.

“We bring the full-range of U.S. and allied maritime power in support of national security and defense objectives wherever we sail,” said Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, CSG-10, GHWBCSG. “Throughout our deployment we will continue to operate with and reassure our allies, maintain open sea lanes for trade and increased prosperity, and deter — or if necessary — destroy our adversaries.”

This marks the first deployment for George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) since 2017. The carrier completed an intensive maintenance availability after the 2017 deployment before returning to the operational fleet to begin a robust deployment readiness cycle in late 2021.

“George H.W. Bush Sailors are warriors, leaders, teachers, and ambassadors operating forward, representing their families, hometowns, and the American people wherever we operate,” said Capt. David-Tavis Pollard, commanding officer of George H.W. Bush. “President Bush said, ‘Let future generations understand the burdens and blessings of freedom. Let them say we stood where duty required us to stand.’ We know what an awesome responsibility we have to preserve liberty, justice, and freedom while embodying the principles of service, grit, humility, and resilience our namesake showed throughout his lifetime.”

The GHWBCSG is comprised of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 staff, George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff and units, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55). In total, the strike group is a force of more than 6,000 Sailors, capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions around the globe.

The squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 embarked aboard George H.W. Bush are the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103, the “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 located in Norfolk, Virginia; the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86 and the “Nighthawks” of VFA-136 located in Lemoore, California; the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 based in Whidbey Island, Washington; and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46 located in Mayport, Florida.