Carrier Strike Group Eleven 2004 – 09 operations Carrier Strike Group Eleven 2004 – 2009 operations included three overseas deployments to provide combat air support for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan , as well as regional a special surge deployment during 2007 in accordance with the U . S . Navy ' s Fleet Response Plan when the Yokohama - based aircraft carrier underwent a yard overhaul . CSG 11 has also participated in several mult - lateral naval exercises , including Valiant Shield 2007 , Malabar 07 - 2 with India , Key Resolve / Foal Eagle 2008 off Korea , and a major 2009 undersea warfare exercise ( USWEX 09 ) , as well as participation in Theater Security Cooperation activities with various regional naval forces . Carrier Strike Group Eleven ( CSG - 11 or CARSTRKGRU 11 ) is one of six U . S . Navy carrier strike group currently assigned to the U . S . Pacific Fleet . The group is employed in a variety of roles , all of which involve gaining and maintaining sea control . CSG 11 is currently based at Naval Air Station North Island , and it typically deploys to the U . S . Seventh Fleet operating in the Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) and the U . S . Fifth Fleet in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf . The current flagship for CSG 11 is the nuclear - powered aircraft carrier . 2004 training and maintenance cycle . The carrier " Nimitz " completed a successful Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualification five - day underway period , returning to NAS North Island 24 September 2004 . During the underway period , " Nimitz " s Air Department assisted with 621 arrested landings to support the FRSCQ . The flight deck crew also conducted another 84 traps to support additional Landing Signal Officer ( LSO ) proficiency training , VX - 23 ’ s lateral asymmetry testing , and pilot qualifications or re - qualifications . " Nimitz " had returned to full operational status after a six - month pierside Planned Incremental Availability , and it also had completed its Command Assessment of Readiness and Training – Phase II . " Nimitz " completed its Tailored Ship ’ s Training Availabilities ( TSTA ) phases I , II and III , and Final Evaluation Period in preparation for its Composite Training Unit Exercise ( COMPTUEX ) certification training on 20 November 2004 . Carrier Strike Group Eleven ( CSG 11 ) carried a virtual exercise between October 26 – 27 , 2004 . In early November 2004 , CARSTRKGRU 11 trained together in actuality for the first time when " Nimitz " , Carrier Air Wing 11 , the cruiser " Princeton " , and DESRON - 23 destroyers and operated off the coast of southern Californioa prior to its COMPTUEX exercises . On 24 March 2005 , CARSTRKGRU 11 completed its Joint Task Force Exercise ( JTFEX ) 05 - 03 certification training in preparation for its 2005 Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) deployment . 2005 Operations . 2005 pre - deployment training exercises . On 2 December 2004 , CSG 11 underwent its Composite Unit Training Exercise ( COMPUTEX ) off the coast of southern California . It completed its two - week Joint Task Force Exercise ( JTFEX ) , returning to Naval Station San Diego on 25 March 2005 . CARSTRKGRU 11 subsequently conducted Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications off the coast of southern California in April . 2005 WESTPAC deployment . Carrier Strike Group Eleven departed San Diego , California , on 7 May 2005 under the command of Rear Admiral Peter Daly . The group deployed to the Persian Gulf to carry out Maritime Security Operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom . The patrols carried out by the group ' s warships aimed to deny international terrorists the use of the maritime environment . Carrier Strike Group Eleven returned home on 8 November 2005 . Fifth Fleet operations . On 21 July 2005 , the guided - missile cruiser USS " Princeton " responded to a radio call from an Iranian dhow , named " Hamid " , that was dead in the water and in need of engineering assistance . A rescue - and - assistance team was dispatched to the " Hamid " where it was determined that the engine would not start due to corroded batteries that were low on power . The batteries were removed and brought back to " Princeton " for maintenance , cleaning , and recharging . The " Princeton " rescue team was able to restore the power on board " Hamid " , restart the engines , and then provide minor medical assistance and fresh water to the dhow ' s crew . 2006 training and maintenance cycle . The carrier " Nimitz " comducted its Inspection and Survey ( INSURV ) off the coast of southern California in January 2006 , and the carrier subsequently conducted its Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications ( FRS - CQ ) exercises in February . Between 10 – 11 February 2006 , " Nimtz " transferred munitions from the carrier and fast combat support ship in preparation for " Nimitz " s six - month Planned Incremental Availability ( PIA ) shipyard maintenance period . " Nimtz " underwent post - PIA sea trails in August . On 2 November 2006 , " Nimtz " completed its Tailored Ship ' s Training Availability ( TSTA ) exercises after more than 30 days underway at sea . " Nimtz " and CVW 11 underwent their Composite Training Unit Exercise ( COMPTUEX ) off the coast of southern California in December . 2007 Operations . 2007 pre - deployment exercises . The carrier " Nimitz " completed its Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications ( FRS - CQ ) of the southern Californian coast , returning to Naval Air Station North Island on 15 February 2007 . Carrier Strike Group Eleven underwent its Joint Task Force Exercise ( JTFEX ) off the southern Californian coast later that February . 2007 WESTPAC Deployment . Carrier Strike Group Eleven ( CARSTRKGRU 11 ) deployed from San Diego on 2 April 2007 was under the command of Rear Admiral John Terence Blake , and it arrived back to San Diego on 30 September 2007 , completing its six - month deployment to the Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) and Middle East . Fifth Fleet operations . CARSTRKGRU 11 joined the Carrier Strike Group Three , led by the , and relieved Carrier Strike Group Eight , led by the , that was currently operating in the Persian Gulf . The deployment continued the current U . S . Navy two - carrier presence in the U . S . Central Command area of responsibility , demonstrating the U . S . resolve to build regional security and bring long - term stability to the region . The strike group worked closely with regional allies to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as to conduct Maritime Security Operations ( MSO ) . CARSTRKGRU 11 entered the U . S . Fifth Fleet area of operations on 8 May 2007 and began conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom ( OEF ) in 11 May 2007 . It also provided close airpower support and reconnaissance to the International Security Assistance Force ( ISAF ) in Afghanistan . The destroyer " Higgins " played a critical role conducting Maritime Security Operations ( MSO ) in the Persian Gulf with its visit , board , search and seizure ( VBSS ) teams , conducting Interaction Patrols ( IPATS ) in which they distributed information on coalition aims and objectives to three Iraqi dhows . The VBSS teams also conducted security sweeps on board three Iraqi tugs and four super - tankers , thereby safeguarding the merchants in the region by deterring piracy and smuggling . Most notably , " Higgins " was the only ship in the CGS - 1 to conduct a boarding of a tanker suspected of oil smuggling . After a thorough six - hour boarding , the VBSS team was able to clear the tanker , ensuring the safety and freedom of the high seas to merchants and traders in the area . The cruiser " Princeton " served as the Air Defense Commander for Carrier Strike Group Eleven throughout its deployment in the Persian Gulf , providing close - in air defense , airspace awareness , and , if needed , acted as a ready platform for search and rescue ( SAR ) operations . Valiant Shield 2007 , Malabar 07 - 2 , and CARAT 2007 . Between August 7 – 14 , 2007 , Carrier Strike Group Eleven ( CARSTRKGRU 11 ) joined two other carrier strike groups , led by the and the , participating in the joint Exercise " Valiant Shield 2007 " , a multi - dimensional joint exercise off the coast of Guam with U . S forces . CARSTRKGRU 11 also joined the " Kitty Hawk " s strike group , and India ’ s aircraft carrier in the Bay of Bengal for the multilateral Exercise " Malabar 07 - 2 " , an annual exercise to advance mutual maritime understanding and interoperability involving the navies ships from India , Australia , Japan , and Singapore . The destroyer " Pinckney " participated in a Cooperation Afloat Readiness Training ( CARAT ) exercise with the Republic of Singapore Navy and three other U . S Navy ships . The bilateral force conducted air defense , anti - surface warfare , anti - subsurface warfare , and VBSS operations in the compressed waterspace of the South China Sea , validating current tactics , techniques and procedures and identifying areas for further development . 2007 sustainment training exercises . The carrier " Nimitz " underwent a series of sustainment training exercises off the coast of southern California during December 2007 . 2008 FRP surge deployment . 2008 WESTPAC deployment . Carrier Strike Group Eleven ( CARSTRKGRU 11 ) deployed from San Diego on 24 January 2008 under the Navy ' s fleet response plan ( FRP ) and will operate in the Western Pacific in support of U . S . commitments in the region while the forward - deployed undergoes scheduled maintenance in Yokosuka , Japan . CARSTRKGRU 11 returned to San Diego on 2 June 2008 . Seventh Fleet operations . Carrier Strike Group Eleven entered the U . S . Seventh Fleet area of responsibility on 8 February 2008 . CSG 11 commander Rear Admiral John Terence Blake , USN , noted : Our goal is to maintain and strengthen our alliances and friendships in the region . Our deployment to the Western Pacific is a visible demonstration of the United States ongoing commitment to Japan and the other nations in the region . We also value our exceptionally strong relationship with the Japan Maritime Self - Defense Force and this port visit is an opportunity for us to make new friends and renew old acquaintances . On 9 February 2008 , two Russian Tu - 95 ' Bear ' bombers were detected by CSG 11 in the Western Pacific . Four F / A - 18C Hornet s intercepted the bombers south of " Nimitz " . Two F / A - 18s trailed one of the bombers , which buzzed the deck of the carrier twice , while the other two F / A - 18s trailed another TU - 95 circling about away from the carrier . Reportedly , there was no radio communication between the American and Russian aircraft . According to the Department of Defense , one of the two aircraft was said to have flown above " Nimitz " at an altitude of . 2009 - 2010 Operations . 2009 training and maintenance cycle . On 16 January 2009 , the " Nimitz " underwent flight deck certification following its six - month Planned Incremental Availability shipyard period . On 21 January 2009 , " Nimitz " departed NAS North Island for its Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications off the coast of southern California . In February , Carrier Strike Group Eleven underwent its Tailored Ship ' s Training Availability exercises off the coast of southern California , followed by additional FRS exercises in March . The strike group completed pre - deployment training with the completion of its Composite Training Unit Exercise in May 2009 . 2009 - 2010 WESTPAC Deployment . Carrier Strike Group Eleven ( CARSTRKGRU 11 ) departed San Diego on 31 July 2009 on a regularly scheduled Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) deployment under the commanded by Rear Admiral John W . Miller . On 11 September 2009 , the U . S . Navy announced that the near - term carrier strike group deployment schedule would be changed to accommodate the delay in the return of the carrier from its current overhaul . This resulted in extending the current 2009 - 2010 WESTPAC deployment for Carrier Strike Group Eleven to eight months . Several events highlighted the 2009 deployment of Carrier Strike Group Eleven . On 7 October 2009 , a milestone was reached when an EA - 6B Prowler , assigned to Tactical Electronic Attack Squadron 135 ( VAQ - 135 ) , became the 100 , 000th aircraft to launch off Catapult Number 1 on board the " Nimitz " . The successful launch was flown by Commander Vincent Johnson , the executive officer of VAQ - 135 . Also , on 16 Feb 2010 , Captain Scott Conn , the CVW - 11 deputy commander , became the 325th naval aviator to successfully complete 1 , 000th carrier - arrested landing ( trap ) when he landed his F / A - 18F Super Hornet on board the " Nimitz " . Several prominent individuals paid visits to Carrier Strike Group Eleven during the deployment . General David H . Petraeus , US Army , the head of the U . S . Central Command flew on board the " Nimitz " to spend Thanksgiving Day 2009 on board the strike group flagship . On 6 January 2010 , Admiral Gary Roughead , the Chief of Naval Operations , flew on board the " Nimitz " to present the Meritorious Unit Commendation to the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Eleven . The MUC recognized the " Nimitz " for its performance during two deployments separated by the first - ever carrier incremental availability , an intense 30 - day maintenance period , followed by a 10 - day sustainment exercise . On 26 March 2010 , Strike Group Eleven returned to their homeport after an eight - month deployment to the U . S . Fifth Fleet and Seventh Fleet areas of responsibility ( AOR ) . Fifth Fleet operations . On 4 December 2009 , Carrier Strike Group Eleven ( CARSTRKGRU 11 ) began a five - month rotation to the northern Arabian Sea , providing close air support and reconnaissance to coalition forces in Afghanistan . CVW - 11 ' s carrier - based aircraft provided 30 percent of the combat air support for Operation Enduring Freedom ( OEF - A ) during the four - month period that CARSTRKGRU 11 operated in the northern Aradbian Sea . An example of other air support provided by CVW - 11 was E - 2C Hawkeye aircraft assigned to Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 ( VAW - 117 ) using their sophisticated radar and communication systems to frame the operational picture for all levels of command supporting Operation Enduring Freedom to synchronize and direct air crews over Afghanistan . Also , EA - 6B Prowlers assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 135 ( VAQ - 135 ) jammed electronic signals in support of Operation Enduring Freedom . In total , Carrier Air Wing 11 air crews flew more than 2 , 600 combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan . The other CARSTRKGRU 11 ships contributed to counter - piracy operations off the Horn of Africa , the protection of critical Iraqi infrastructure in the Persian Gulf , and other maritime security operations .