Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Enters 5th Fleet
 By Petty Officer 2nd Class Greg Hall
  The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG), entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), July 24.200602-N-VW723-1416 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 2, 2020) Aircraft from Nimitz Carrier Strike Group fly in formation over the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, from the "Battle Cats" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73. Nimitz is underway conducting composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is an intensive exercise designed to fully integrate units of the carrier strike group, while testing a strike group's ability as a whole to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Keenan Daniels/Released)




200602-N-VW723-1416 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 2, 2020) Aircraft from Nimitz Carrier Strike Group fly in formation over the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, from the "Battle Cats" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73. Nimitz is underway conducting composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is an intensive exercise designed to fully integrate units of the carrier strike group, while testing a strike group's ability as a whole to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Keenan Daniels/Released)
        Nimitz CSG Aircraft Conduct Fly Over
            200602-N-VW723-1416 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 2, 2020) Aircraft from Nimitz Carrier Strike Group fly in formation over the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, from the "Battle Cats" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73. Nimitz is underway conducting composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is an intensive exercise designed to fully integrate units of the carrier strike group, while testing a strike group's ability as a whole to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Keenan Daniels/Released)

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                    Photo By: Seaman Keenan Daniels
                    
                    VIRIN: 200602-N-VW723-1417
Deploying ships and aircraft of the strike group, commanded by Rear Adm. Jim Kirk, include Nimitz, the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, staffs of CSG 11 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114).
Aircraft carriers and embarked air wings help ensure the U.S. military has naval and air capabilities to support operational requirements while meeting other security commitments in the region.
“The Sailors and Marines of Nimitz Strike Group can be proud of the work they have done thus far on deployment,” said Kirk. “And I know they are ready to execute their duties in 5th Fleet to ensure the free flow of commerce, deter aggression, defend our interests and support partners and allies in the region.”
Since leaving homeport Apr. 27, Nimitz CSG has completed a composition training unit exercise, conducted dual-carrier operations with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), made a successful Safe Haven port visit to Guam while observing strict COVID-19 restrictions and participated in cooperative exercises with the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean.
The 5th Fleet AOO encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three chokepoints, critical to the free flow of global commerce.