The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) pulls into Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Martie/Released)NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Nearly 6,000 Sailors aboard the ships of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) returned to their homeport in Norfolk Dec. 10, following a seven-month deployment supporting operations with the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th fleets.
Commanded by Capt. Brian Luther, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the flagship for GHWB CSG, returns from its first operational deployment with embarked staffs and squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22.
Also returning to Norfolk are guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and USS Mitscher (DDG 57), and guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68). USS Gettysburg (CG 64) returned to homeport in Mayport, Fla., Dec. 8.
The strike group, commanded by Rear Adm. Nora Tyson, supported Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn along with theater and maritime security cooperation efforts in the Mediterranean and Arabian seas.
"I have been honored to serve with the men and women of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group, and I thank each and every one of them for their professionalism, their leadership and their service to their country and their fellow man," said Tyson. "They have done a remarkable job throughout this seven-month deployment, successfully meeting every tasking and every mission with total dedication."
The aircraft squadrons of CVW-8 embarked on Bush include the "Valions" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15, The "Tomcatters" of VFA-31, the "Golden Warriors" of VFA-87, the "Fighting Black Lions" of VFA-213, the "Bear Aces" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124, the "Shadowhawks" of Electronic Attack Squadron 141, the "Tridents" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9, the "Spartans" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70, and the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40.
