Carrier Strike Group Nine Carrier Strike Group Nine , abbreviated CSG - 9 or CARSTRKGRU 9 , is one of five U . S . Navy carrier strike group currently assigned to the U . S . Pacific Fleet . Carrier strike groups gain and maintain sea control as well as project naval airpower ashore . The aircraft carrier is the group ' s current flagship , replacing the which is undergoing its mid - life major overhaul . As of 2012 , other group units include Carrier Air Wing Two , the guided - missile cruisers , , and Destroyer Squadron 9 : , , , , , , and . The strike group traces its history to Cruiser - Destroyer Group 3 created on 30 June 1973 by the re - designation of Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla 11 . From 2004 the strike group has made multiple Middle East deployments providing air forces over Afghanistan and Iraq , as well as conducting maritime security operations . The strike group received the Humanitarian Service Medal in recognition of its disaster relief efforts in Indonesia during Operation Unified Assistance in 2004 - 05 . Historical background . USS " Coontz " flew the flag of the Commander , Cruiser - Destroyer Flotilla 11 from 1 August to 11 November 1962 . Effective 30 June 1973 , Commander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla 11 was re - designated as Commander Cruiser - Destroyer Group Three ( CCDG - 3 ) . USS Gridley was part of Cruiser - Destroyer Group Three in 1975 . In 1978 , the Group directed Destroyer Squadron 7 , Destroyer Squadron 17 , and Destroyer Squadron 27 ( Naval Reserve Force ) , all at San Diego . On 10 December 1981 , the group staff embarked on board the aircraft carrier to prepare for its first Carrier Battle Group deployment . Since that date , deployments have been made on the USS Kitty Hawk ( CV 63 ) , USS Enterprise ( CVN 65 ) , USS Nimitz ( CVN 68 ) , and USS Carl Vinson ( CVN 70 ) . Rear Admiral Jonathan Howe commanded the group in 1984 – 86 . During 1986 , " Enterprise " ' s battle group deployment was directed by Commander Cruiser - Destroyer Group Three . In early 1991 , Rear Admiral P . M . Quast , Commander , Cruiser - Destroyer Group Three , led Battle Group Bravo on deployment to the Middle East . The group consisted of USS Nimitz ( CVN 68 ) , USS Texas ( CGN - 39 ) , USS Rentz ( FFG - 46 ) , USS Stein ( FF - 1065 ) , , , and USS Chancellorsville ( CG - 62 ) , along with Commander , Destroyer Squadron 21 and Carrier Air Wing Nine embarked in " Nimitz " . In April 1992 with the implementation of the core battle group concept , CCDG - 3 was assigned as permanent Immediate Superior in Command for USS Antietam ( CG 54 ) , USS Arkansas ( CGN 41 ) , and USS Vincennes ( CG 49 ) . The USS England ( CG 22 ) was assigned to CCDG - 3 , but was decommissioned in January 1994 . In August 1992 , USS Carl Vinson ( CVN 70 ) and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen were added , and CCDG - 3 took on the additional title of Commander , Carl Vinson Battle Group . In October 1992 , Surface Squadron 5 was redesignated Destroyer Squadron 5 and assigned under CCDG - 3 . The addition of USS Cushing ( DD 985 ) , USS Harry W . Hill ( DD 986 ) , USS Fletcher ( DD 992 ) , and rounded out the Vinson Battle Group ' s forces . In December 1992 , two submarines , USS San Francisco ( SSN 711 ) and USS Asheville ( SSN 758 ) were added . USS Lake Erie ( CG 70 ) joined the group in March 1993 and USS Russell ( DDG 59 ) joined in September 1994 . CCDG - 3 completed a very successful deployment to the Persian Gulf in August 1994 . In January 1996 , the " Carl Vinson " Battle Group was redesignated the " Carl Vision " Task Group , and Destroyer Squadron 5 was reassigned to Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific in Hawaii on 1 February 1996 . The Carl Vinson Task Group successfully completed all predeployment examinations and deployed in May 1996 with USS Carl Vinson ( CVN 70 ) , USS Shiloh ( CG 67 ) , USS Arkansas ( CGN 41 ) , USS California ( CGN 36 ) , , USS Camden , , USS Jefferson City ( SSN 759 ) , and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen . In June 1998 CCDG - 3 deployed to the Persian Gulf . The deployment was the first on board the USS Abraham Lincoln ( CVN 72 ) . On 20 August 1998 , the group took part in Operation Infinite Reach . This operation involved the launching of Tomahawk cruise missiles against the Sudanese Al - Shifa pharmaceutical factory , which was suspected of assisting Osama Bin Laden in making chemical weapons . The Battle Group also launched a second wave of Tomahawk cruise missiles against Bin Laden ' s terrorist training camps in Afghanistan . These cruise missile strikes were ordered by President Bill Clinton 13 days after terrorists bombed the U . S . embassies in Kenya and Tanzania . Rear Admiral Kevin Green transferred command of the group to incoming Rear Adm . Phillip Balisle on 3 December 1999 , aboard the flagship " Abraham Lincoln . " In 2002 , the battle group deployed to the Persian Gulf to fly operations over Afghanistan , and in 2003 , the group carried out combat operations against Iraqi military forces during the U . S . invasion of Iraq . The " Abraham Lincoln " Carrier Battle Group received a Navy Unit Commendation for its support of Operation Enduring Freedom , Operation Southern Watch , and Operation Iraqi Freedom during the period of 1 September 2001 to 30 April 2003 , completing of an overseas deployment of 290 days . The Battle Group received its second NUC as part of the U . S . Fifth Fleet ' s battle / strike force , Task Force 50 , during August 1998 , and it received its third NUC for operations between 4 March to 1 May 2003 . The battle group also received a Meritorious Unit Commendation ( MUC ) for its support of Operation Southern Watch during the period of 11 June to 11 December 1998 , in which was also included its support of Operation Infinite Reach . The Battle Group received a second MUC for its operations during the period of 1 January 1999 to 10 September 2001 , including OSW air combat operations . On 1 October 2004 , Cruiser - Destroyer Group Three was re - designated as Carrier Strike Group Nine . Command structure . Commander Carrier Strike Group Nine ( COMCARSTRKGRU 9 or CCSG 9 ) is responsible for unit - level training , integrated training , and material readiness for the ships and aviation squadrons assigned to the group . Carrier Strike Group Nine reports to Commander , U . S . Third Fleet , which also supervises its pre - deployment training and certification that includes Composite Unit Training Exercise s . When deployed overseas , the strike group comes under the command authority of the numbered fleet in whose area it is operating ( Third , Fourth , Fifth , Sixth , or Seventh Fleets ) . When deployed in this fashion , the group utilizes a task force or task group designator , for example , Task Group 50 . 1 in the Fifth Fleet area . Group commanders since 2004 have been : Operational history . 2004 – 2009 operations . Between 2004 and 2009 , Carrier Strike Group Nine completed three Western Pacific deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom , the War in Iraq , and the War in Afghanistan , as well as providing support for regional maritime security operations . Additionally , the group also participated in such major military exercises as RSOI / Foal Eagle 2006 , Valiant Shield , and RIMPAC 2006 , as well as Operation Unified Assistance , the U . S . military response to the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami . In recognition of its disaster - relief mission to Indonesia , the group received the Humanitarian Service Medal . During its 2004 – 2005 deployment , Carrier Strike Group Nine executed 4400 fix - winged sorties and completed 4455 flight deck landings ( traps ) for a total of 7588 flight hours . Also , the group executed 1518 rotary - wing sorties for a total of 4401 flight hours , including flying 1737 humanitarian relief missions in support of Operation Unified Assistance ( " pictured " ) between 26 December 2004 and 3 February 2005 following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami . Carrier Strike Group Nine received the Humanitarian Service Medal in recognition of its humanitarian assistance / disaster response ( HA / DR ) efforts during this operation . Finally , helicopter squadron HSL - 47 was the first LAMPS helicopter squadron deployed in its entirety on board an aircraft carrier , with the squadron providing LAMPS detachments to the other ships within the strike group while being supported by the carrier ' s aviation facilities . During its 2006 deployment , Carrier Strike Group Nine participated in three major exercises ( i . e . , Foal Eagle , Valiant Shield , RIMPAC ) , as well as several passing exercises and port visits . Carrier Air Wing Two flew 7 , 871 sorties , with a total of 7 , 578 catapult launches from the flight deck of the carrier " Abraham Lincoln " . Also , on 15 April 2006 , squadron HSL - 47 helicopters and the guided - missile destroyer provided aid to a fishing vessel in distress while operating in the South China Sea . During its 2008 deployment , Carrier Strike Group Nine operated in the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom as a unit of the U . S . Fifth Fleet . Carrier Air Wing Two ( CVW - 2 ) flew approximately 7 , 100 sorties , totalling more than 22 , 000 flight hours , which included 2 , 307 combat sorties that dropped 255 , 963 pounds ( 116 , 102 , 863 . 8 kg ) of ordnance . Also , on 9 May , while operating with Combined Task Force 150 , the guided - missile destroyer assisted a disabled dhow by towing it from the Gulf of Aden to Al - Mukalla , Yemen . Also , Carrier Strike Group Nine ' s 2007 Composite Unit Training Exercise ( COMPTUEX ) featured twenty - four Sailors from Mobile Security Squadron 2 ( MSRON - 2 ) , Helicopter Visit , Board , Search and Seizure ( HVBSS ) Team 1 , a first for West Coast - based U . S . Navy ships . MSRON - 2 Team 1 specializes in boarding non - compliant ships at sea in the dead of night , detaining the crew if necessary , and identifying suspected terrorists or subjects of interest , using the element of surprise afforded by helicopter insertion , night vision equipment , and state - of - the - art biometrics . MSRON - 2 HVBSS Team 1 was established in 2004 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth , Virginia , and it was the first team of its kind to reach operational status . Finally , on 26 March 2007 , Rear Admiral Scott R . Van Buskirk took command of Carrier Strike Group Nine , becoming only the second former nuclear submarine commanding officer would lead a U . S . Navy carrier strike group . Admiral Van Buskirk subsequently commanded the U . S . Seventh Fleet and lead U . S . naval forces during Operation Tomodachi , providing assistance to Japan following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami . 2010 – 2011 deployment . On 11 September 2010 , Carrier Strike Group Nine departed Naval Base San Diego , for its 2010 deployment under the command of Rear Admiral Mark D . Guadagnini . While en route , the strike group executed carrier qualifications and anti - piracy training , as well as anti - submarine warfare exercises off Guam with the attack submarine . On 25 September 2010 , the strike group enter the U . S . Seventh Fleet area of responsibilitity . On 8 October 2010 , Carrier Strike Group Nine paid its first foreign port call at Port Klang , Malaysia , which was followed by a multi - unit ASW exercises held on 23 October . On 17 October 2010 , the strike group arrived in the U . S . Fifth Fleet area , joining Carrier Strike Group Ten as part of Task Force 50 ( " pictured " ) . For long - range air combat missions over Afghanistan , U . S . Air Force KC - 135 and KC - 10 s provided aerial tanker support . The French carrier task group led by the " Charles de Gaulle " joined Carrier Strike Group Nine operating in the Persian Gulf ( " pictured " ) . On 18 November 2010 , the carrier " Abraham Lincoln " hosted seven ambassadors during a port visit to Manama , Bahrain , and on 6 December 2010 , U . S . Secretary of Defense Robert M . Gates visited the " Abraham Lincoln " while operating in the Arabian Sea . A total of 999 War in Afghanistan - related sorties and 76 Operation New Dawn - related sorties were flown during the 2010 – 2011 Western Pacific deployment . On 28 December , with the carrier strike group operating in the Arabian Sea , Carrier Air Wing Two flew its 1000th sortie , amassing thus far a total of more than 5 , 884 hours flown supporting Afghanistan operations during this Western Pacific deployment . Carrier Strike Group Nine completed its final air operations over Afghanistan on 3 February 2011 . Since 20 October 2010 , Carrier Air Wing Two has launched more than 1 , 800 combat sorties in excess of 10 , 000 flight hours with a 100 percent completion rate for Afghanistan related missions . On 10 February 2011 , Carrier Strike Group Nine completed its 45th day of at - sea operations , with Carrier Air Wing Two having launched over 7 , 000 sorties including nearly 2 , 000 directly supporting ground combat troops . Aircraft from Carrier Strike Group Nine also participated in joint aerial combat training exercises with the Royal Malaysian Air Force on 14 February 2011 . On 22 February 2011 , the strike group flagship " Abraham Lincoln " hosted a Brunei military delegation led by Deputy Minister of Defense Dato Paduka Mustappa Sirat . Surface warships of Carrier Strike Group participated in maritime security operations during the group ' s 2010 – 2011 deployment with the U . S . Fifth Fleet . The guided - missile destroyer " Halsey " was assigned to counter - piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden , Arabian Sea , Indian Ocean , and Red Sea ; and " Momsen " operated with Combined Task Force 152 in the Persian Gulf . On 5 December 2010 , the " Halsey " and the French frigate " Tourville " participated in a bi - lateral naval gunnery exercise in the Arabian Sea to enhance coalition maritime forces training and coordination . On 18 January 2011 , a sailor from the guided - missile destroyer " Halsey " was reported overboard in the Gulf of Oman , initiating a search - and - rescue mission involving helicopters from the " Halsey " , the fast combat support shup " Ranier " , and the British guided - missile frigate , as well as land - based P - 3 maritime patrol aircraft and FA - 18 strike fighters from Carrier Air Wing Two based on the carrier " Abraham Lincoln " . On 19 January , the body of the missing sailor was recovered 75 miles ( 120 . 7 km ) east of Fujairah , United Arab Emirates , and was identified as Petty Officer Dominique Cruz , 26 , of Panama City , Florida . On 31 January 2011 , the cruiser " Cape St . George " responded to a distress call from a sinking Iranian dhow by dispatching a rescue team via a rigid - hulled inflatable boat ( RHIB ) ( " pictured " ) . The U . S . naval team attempted to repair the dhow ' s dewatering pumps , but they were unable to stop the flooding . The Iranian fishermen were brought aboard the " Cape St . George " where they were examined by the medical staff before being transferred to an Iranian customs vessel . On 2 February 2011 , the destroyer " Momsen " , with the cruiser , responded to a distress call from the Panamanian - flag merchant vessel " Duqm " in the Gulf of Oman . Both ships disrupted a pirate attack on the " Duqm " , tracked the two pirate skiffs back to their mothership , and destroyed the two skiffs to prevent their use in future pirate attacks ( " pictured " ) . Following its rotation with the Fifth Fleet and the Seventh Fleet , the carrier " Abraham Lincoln " , with the destroyers " Momsen " and " Shoup " , arrived at Naval Air Station San Diego , California , on 19 March , and subsequently to their homeport of Everett , Washington , on 24 March 2011 . The destroyer " Halsey " arrived at San Diego on 14 March 2011 . Squadrons from Carrier Air Wing 2 also returned to their bases on 18 March . During its 2010 – 2011 deployment , Carrier Air Wing Two flew more than 8 , 300 sorties and completed more than 23 , 500 flying hours , of which more than 3 , 600 sorties and almost 11 , 000 hours were flown in support of U . S . and coalition ground forces in Afghanistan . Carrier Strike Group Nine conducted military exercises with France , Bahrain , Malaysia , Singapore , Saudi Arabia , and Oman . Strike group warships , , , , and assisted mariners in distress and provided humanitarian assistance to more than 10 vessels . Finally , Helicopter Strike Maritime Squadron ( HSM - 77 ) was named as a top U . S . Navy helicopter squadron based on the U . S . west coast , earning a Battle " E " award . 2011 – 2012 deployment . On 7 December 2011 , the carrier " Abraham Lincoln " departed from Naval Station Everett , Washington , and the cruiser " Cape St . George " from Naval Base San Diego , California , to start their 2011 - 2011 deployment under the command of Rear Admiral Troy M . ( " Mike " ) Shoemaker . The destroyer " Sterett " departed San Diego on 6 December 2011 to join up with the other units of Carrier Strike Group Nine . On 13 December 2011 , helicopter squadron HSM - 77 flew from Naval Air Station North Island , California , to Carrier Strike Group Nine . Squadron HSM - 77 as part of Carrier Air Wing Two aboard the carrier " Abraham Lincoln " . Detachments Two , Three , and Five deployed earlier this month to the cruiser " Cape St . George " and the destroyers " Sterret " and USS " Momsen " , respectively , with two helicopters per detachment . The squadron serves as the eyes and ears for the carrier strike group , providing important anti - surface and anti - submarine warfare capabilities . Following its 2011 – 2012 deployment , Squadron HSM - 77 will fly cross - country to return to NAS North Island while the " Abraham Lincoln " will begin its four - year - long mid - life overhaul at the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Newport News shipyard in Virginia . On 9 January 2012 , Carrier Strike Group One , led by the carrier , joined Carrier Strike Group Three , led by the carrier , in the North Arabian Sea , with Carrier Strike Group Nine en route to the Arabian Sea amid rising tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran over U . S . naval access to the Strait of Hormuz . On 19 January 2012 , Carrier Strike Group Nine entered the U . S . Fifth Fleet ' s area of responsibility and relieved Carrier Strike Group One ( " pictured " ) . On 22 January 2012 , Carrier Strike Group Nine was joined by the British Type 23 frigate and French frigate " La Motte - Picquet " and together this American - British - French naval flotilla transited the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf without incident . Three weeks later , the carrier " Abraham Lincoln " , the cruiser " Cape St . George " , and the destroyer " Sterett " transited through Strait of Hormuz into the northern Arabian Sea on 14 February 2012 , concluding Carrier Strike Group Nine ' s initial operations in the Persian Gulf . The strike group ' s movements were monitored by Iranian patrol boats and aircraft during its transit . In addition to combat air support for coalition forces in Afghanistan , Carrier Strike Group Nine maintained flights operations some miles off the coast of Iran . Also , the new British guided - missile destroyer operated with Carrier Strike Group One and Carrier Strike Group Nine in the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea , respectively , during that ship ' s maiden overseas deployment . On 16 February 2012 , from the North Arabian Sea , the carrier " Abraham Lincoln " and its embarked Carrier Air Wing Two began flying air combat missions in support of coalition ground forces in Afghanistan ( " pictured " ) . To assist the strike group ' s combat air operations , U . S . Army ground liaison officers from the 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment served as communications links between ground forces in Afghanistan and Carrier Air Wing Two . On 14 May 2012 , during its 2012 deployment , HSM - 77 Detachment Five completed its temporary operational rotation on board the British replenishment oiler " Fort Victoria " which was serving as the flagship for Combined Task Force 151 . This was the first time that a MH - 60R helicopter had ever operated from a Royal Navy ship . The detachment ' s helicopters primarirly concentrated on anti - piracy surveillance missions during this two - week period . Carrier Strike Group Nine concluded air combat operations in support of coalition ground forces in Afghanistan on 9 July 2012 ( " pictured " ) , having flown over 2 , 400 sorties in excess of 14 , 000 flight hours with a 100 percent completion rate during the 172 days the strike group operated in the U . S . Central Command area of responsibility . During the entire 2011 – 2012 deployment , aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Two flew over 11 , 000 sorties totalling in excess of 32 , 000 flight hours . On 17 January 2012 , the guided - missile destroyer conducted a boarding party with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1131 based on the aircraft carrier " Abraham Lincoln " . The EOD team fast - roped onto " Momsen " from a hovering helicopter from squadron HSC - 12 ; such training exercises helped to maintain the proficiency and qualifications for both the EOD personnel and the helicopter pilots . Following that training exercise , the EOD team also conducted training with the " Momsen " s 12 - man boarding party team . These exercises were vital in an anti - piracy and boarding operations . On 31 January 2012 , at 12 : 37pm local time , an MH - 60S Seahawk helicopter from HSC - 12 spotted a disabled Iranian fishing dhow , the M / V " Sohaila " , with nine crew members aboard ( " pictured " ) . The dhow ' s distress call reported that " Sohaila " s engine had overheated , prevented the vessel from operating . A boarding team from the destroyer responded and they were joined by a diving team from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1131 flown from " Abraham Lincoln " . The " Sohaila " s engine was repaired , and after determining that the Iranian mariners had ample supplies and fuel , the U . S . boarding party departed . The guided - missile destroyer " Sterrett " served as the flagship for the Kuwaiti - led exercise " Stakenet " held 5 – 9 February 2012 in the Persian Gulf under the operational command of Combined Task Force 152 ( CTF - 152 ) , the Persian Gulf maritime security task force of the Combined Maritime Forces ( CMF ) multi - lateral naval command . Warships that participated in Stakenet 2012 included the U . S . guided - missile destroyers " Sterrett " and and the coastal patrol vessels and ; the British frigate ; and the Kuwati fast - attack craft " Al Nokhetna " and " Maskan " . Air units included U . S . Army Apache attack helicopters , U . S . Navy P - 3 maritime patrol aircraft , and U . S . Air Force F - 16 fighters . On 1 May 2012 , Carrier Strike Group Twelve , led by the carrier , joined Carrier Strike Group Nine , becoming the second carrier strike group currently operating in the Fifth Fleet ' s area of responsibility . On 16 July 2012 , Carrier Strike Group Nine transited the Suez Canal and entered the U . S . Sixth Fleet ' s area of responsibility . On 5 July 2012 , the guided - missile destroyer " Sterrett " returned to Naval Base San Diego , California , completing a seven - month - long deployment to the U . S . Fifth Fleet as a unit of Carrier Strike Group Nine . On 7 August 2012 , the aircraft carrier " Abraham Lincoln " arrived at its new homebase of Naval Station Norfolk , Virginia , to start its upcoming four - year - long , mid - life overhaul at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard . During its 2011 – 2012 deployment , the " Abraham Lincoln " steamed over over 245 days underway , including 105 days in the Arabian Sea supporting coalition forces in Afghanistan . Homeport & flagship change - over . On 9 December 2010 , the U . S . Navy announced that " Abraham Lincoln " will undergo its scheduled four - year Refueling and Complex Overhaul at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard in Virginia . The refit is scheduled to begin in 2013 . On 1 August 2011 , the Navy announced that the group would change station from Naval Station Everett to Naval Base San Diego , effective 14 December 2012 . The carrier has been re - assigned as the group flagship following the de - activation of Carrier Strike Group Seven . On 10 January 2012 , " Ronald Reagan " sailed into Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for its 12 - month , $ 218 million USD docking planned incremental availability ( DPIA ) overhaul . " Ronald Reagan " completed its year - long dry - docked maintenance overhaul at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton , Washington , and on 18 March 2013 , departed for San Diego , arriving on 21 March 2013 .