Carrier Strike Group Seven 2007 – 09 operations Carrier Strike Group Seven 2007 – 2009 operations included two deployments to the U . S . Fifth Fleet , and its embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen flew 2750 air sorties in support of ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan while CARSTRKGRU - 7 surface warships supported theater security and maritime interdiction operation within that fleet ' s area of responsibility . CARSTRKGRU - 7 also made a Western Pacific surge deployment in place of Carrier Strike Group Five . Units of Carrier Strike Group Seven , individually and together , participated in such such bi - lateral exercises as RSOI / Foal Eagle 2007 , Talisman Saber 2007 , Malabar 2008 , and Malabar 2011 , as well as such multi - lateral exercises as SEACAT 2008 and RIMPAC 2010 . Finally , Carrier Strike Group Seven provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief ( HA / DR ) support in the Typhoon Fengshen of 2008 . The group was based at Naval Air Station North Island , California , and it typically deployed 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 " Nimitz " - class nuclear - powered aircraft carrier served as the flagship for Carrier Strike Group Seven during this operation period . 2007 surge deployment . On 27 January 2007 , Carrier Strike Group Seven ( CARSTRKGRU - 7 ) departed from San Diego for its Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) surge deployment . CARSTRKGRU - 7 deployed under the U . S . Navy ' s Fleet Response Plan ( FRP ) and will operate in the western Pacific in support of U . S . commitments in the region while the flagship of the forward - based Carrier Strike Group Five flagship , the aircraft carrier , began its scheduled maintenance period in Yokosuka , Japan . The FRP provided the U . S . Navy with the ability to respond to any global commitment with flexible and sustainable forces and the ability to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice . On 2007 , Carrier Strike Group Seven ( CARSTRKGRU - 7 ) entered the U . S . Seventh Fleet ' s area of responsibility ( AOR ) . Admiral Charles W . Martoglio , the commander of Carrier Strike Group Seven ( COMCARSTRKGRU - 7 ) , noted : Between 16 – 18 March 2007 , Carrier Strike Group Seven took part in a passing exercise ( PASSEX ) with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ( JMSDF ) in the Philippine Sea . The goal of the exercise was for ( CARSTRKGRU - 7 ) to work with their JMSDF counterparts in such areas of mutual interest , including drills in communications , precision maneuvering , air defense tactics , and surface warfare tactics . " Ronald Reagan " also conducted a fueling at sea with each of the four JMSDF ships , as well as a photo exercise ( " pictured " ) and a pass in review . COMCARSTRKGRU - 7 Admiral Martoglio noted : We value the close relationship with our counterparts in JMSDF as we work together to address regional issues of vital importance to both countries . The United States Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force have a unique relationship in that we have one of the most robust bilateral exercise programs between any two countries . This PASSEX is a chance for our two navies to enhance military - to - military relationships and is designed to improve both naval forces ’ capability for coordinated and bilateral operations . Also , to facilitate better communications , both navies participated in an officer exchange program that ensured a seamless integration of two naval forces . On 6 April 2007 , Carrier Strike Group Seven departed the U . S . Seventh Fleet ' s AOR . On 7 April 2007 , the carrier " Ronald Reagan " concluded its three - day munitions offload to the MSC ammunition ship , signifying the end of its Seventh Fleet deployment . On 20 April 2007 , Carrier Strike Group Seven returned to its home base of Naval Air Station North Island , California , completing its WESTPAC surge deployment . One highlight of the 2007 WESTPAC surge deployment occurred on 15 March 2007 when Captain Richard “ Rhett ” Butler made his 1 , 000th carrier - arrested landing . He was flying an F / A - 18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 115 ( VFA - 115 ) , and he caught the No . 2 arresting wire aboard the carrier " Ronald Reagan " at approximately 3 : 15 pm , local time ( " pictured " ) . Captain Butler was the commander of Carrier Air Wing Fourteen . RSOI / Foal Eagle 2007 . On 25 March 2007 , Carrier Strike Group Seven joined US - ROK military forces in Exercise RSOI / Foal Eagle 2007 ( RSOI / FE 07 ) , a scheduled seven - day combined / joint exercise conducted annually involving forces from both the United States and the Republic of Korea . RSOI and FE are theater - wide , computer - simulated and field exercises designed to evaluate and improve the U . S . and ROK forces ability to coordinate the procedures , plans and systems necessary to defend the ROK in a contingency . RSOI / FE 07 was designed to provide training for our forces in the various aspects of reception , staging , onward movement , and integration as well as focusing on rear area security and sustainment operations . Strike group commander Rear Admiral Charles Martoglio noted : During the exercise , ROK Navy personnel served aboard the " Ronald Reagan " as part of an officer exchange program . Exchange officers assisted their host ships with communications and provided support , while conveying ROK Navy perspectives throughout the RSOI / Foal Eagle 2007 exercise . Warships from both navies operated together to perfect their war - fighting skills , including close - air - support for ground forces , air - to - air defense exercises , maritime interoperability training , and expeditionary operations . RSOI / Foal Eagle 2007 concluded on 31 March 2007 . Rear Admiral James P . Wisecup , Commander U . S . Naval Forces Korea , noted the success of this year ' s RSOI / FE exercise : Talisman Saber 2007 . The guided - missile destroyer operated independently and participated in Exercise Talisman Saber 2007 , a bi - lateral exercise with the Australian Defence Force , before joining Carrier Strike Group Three for Valiant Shield 2007 . 2007 - 2008 operations . On 31 October 2007 , the aircraft carrier " Ronald Reagan " returned to Naval Air Station North Island , California , following two days of its sea trials to evaluate the " Reagan " s material readiness to rejoin the fleet as a fully operational unit . The sea trials also marked the end of " Reagan " s six - month , $ 150 - million ( USD ) planned incremental availability ( PIA 07 ) overhaul . On 9 November 2007 , " Ronald Reagan " returned to Naval Air Station North Island , California , after completing its flight deck certification . This was a major step in preparing the ship to return to combat readiness , and " Reagan " completed this certification after being four days underway . On 27 November 2007 , the aircraft carrier and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen ( CVW ) 14 departed Naval Air Station San Diego , California , complete its Tailored Ship ' s Training Assessment ( TSTA ) , an intense training period designed to prepare the ship and embarked air wing for prompt and sustained combat operations at sea . Joining the " Reagan " and CVW - 14 were the guided - missile cruiser ; the guided - missile destroyers and ; and the guided - missile frigate . TSTA and the upcoming Final Evaluation Problem ( FEP ) were conducted by Afloat Training Group Pacific ( ATGPAC ) , the afloat training agency for the Commander , Naval Surface Forces Pacific . TSTA / FEP exercises are designed to test a ship ' s ability to conduct multiple simultaneous combat missions and survive complex casualty situations under stressful conditions . A major part of TSTA and FEP was testing the ship ' s damage control organization through a variety of events and general quarter drills scheduled during the underway period . During its TSTA / FEP exercises , during the early morning hours of 15 December 2007 , " Ronald Reagan " responded to a medical emergency aboard the Bermuda - flagged cruise ship " Dawn Princess " off the coast of southern Baja California , Mexico . Two HH - 60H helicopters from squadron HS - 2 were dispatched from the " Reagan " , flew some 550 miles to " Dawn Princess " , and executed an emergency medical evacuation ( MEDEVAC ) of a 14 year - old girl from Albion , Illinois back to the carrier . Once aboard the " Reagan " ( " pictured " ) , an emergency appendectomy was performed by the ship ' s medical department . " Dawn Princess " s operator , Princess Cruises , subsequently honored the crew of the " Ronald Reagan " and squadron HS - 4 during a press conference and recognition ceremony held aboard the " Dawn Princess " on 2 January 2007 . On 18 December 2007 , the " Ronald Reagan " returned to NAS San Diego having a score of outstanding on the Tailored Ship ' s Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem ( TSTA / FEP ) during the previous 21 - day underway period . On 11 January 2008 , the carrier " Ronald Reagan " paid a scheduled port visit to Santa Barbara , California . During the next two days , over 2 million pounds ( 9907 , 184 . 74 kg ) of munitions were transferred from the MSC ammunition ship to the " Reagan " which returned to San Diego on 15 January 2008 . On 17 March 2008 , Carrier Strike Group Seven departed NAS North Island near San Diego , California , to conduct its Composite Training Unit Exercise ( COMPTUEX ) off the coast of Southern California as part of its training cycle for a regularly scheduled deployment . The goal of this 18 - day exercise was to provide realistic training environments that closely replicate operational challenges that carrier strike groups might face during military operations around the world . Phase I of COMPTUEX included a detailed schedule of events ( SOE ) designed to provide specific task training and evaluation for the carrier strike group and warfare commanders . Phase II consisted of a real - world type exercise with no pre - planned SOE , and it was also known as the final battle problem . COMPTUEX was evaluated by Commander , Strike Force Training Pacific , and this exercise was designed to test the strike group ' s ability to operate in complex , hostile environments as a single unit . This training encompassed the full spectrum of naval warfare ( e . g . , surface , air , and undersea ) . COMPTUEX also offers many training situations to assess how prepared the strike group is for deployment , and it was part of the Fleet Training Readiness Plan ( FTRP ) . This was is the first exercise where the entire strike group works together as one team , and it was one of the final steps in preparing the strike group for deployment . One feature of COMPTUEX was special training involving mine warfare provided by Mobile Mine Assembly Unit One ( MOMAU 1 ) based at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach , California . MOMAU - 1 provided training to strike group personnel while preparing 14 MK - 63 mines to be used in a mine - laying qualification evolution for pilots assigned to Carrier Air Wing 14 . During COMPTUEX , the carrier " Reagan " and Carrier Air Wing 14 received their " Blue Water Certification " which was a prerequisite for deployment , and these certifications allow the carrier and air wing to operate in areas that are out of range of friendly airfields . The certification process tested the ship ' s ability to land aircraft in emergency situations , such as engine failure and fuel leakage , as well as the ability to launch aircraft already on the catapults and clear the landing area in order to recover the damaged aircraft . On 7 April 2008 , Carrier Strike Group Seven returned to its home base of NAS North Island following the completion of its Composite Training Unit Exercise ( COMPTUEX ) that took place off the coast of Southern California . On 11 April 2008 , the aircraft carrier " Ronald Reagan " and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen ( CVW - 14 ) departed Naval Air Station San Diego , California , to begin Joint Task Force Exercise 08 - 5 ( JTFEX 08 - 5 ) off the coast of Southern California . Joining the " Reagan " and CVW - 14 were the guided - missile cruiser " Chancellorsville " ; the guided - missile destroyers " Gridley " ( " pictured " ) , " Howard " , and ; and the guided - missile frigate " Thach " . Joint Task Force Exercise 08 - 5 was designed to be a realistic exercise in real - world operations and the operational challenges faced by U . S . forces in cooperation with coalition militaries . JTFEX 08 - 5 was the final step in preparing Carrier Strike Group Seven for its Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) upcoming deployment and it tested the strike group ' s ability to plan and execute the Navy ' s Maritime Strategy alongside other U . S . and coalition forces in complex , hostile war - fighting environments . On 22 April 2008 , Carrier Strike Group Seven returned to its home base . Strike group commander Rear Admiral James P . Wisecup noted completion of Joint Task Force Exercise 08 - 5 : 2008 deployment . On 19 May 2008 , Carrier Strike Group Seven depart from Naval Air Station North Island , California , for its 2008 Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) deployment to support the U . S . Navy ' s will support the Maritime Strategy in the U . S . Fifth Fleet and U . S . Seventh Fleet areas of operation . On 27 May 2008 , Carrier Strike Group Seven began its undersea warfare exercise ( USWEX ) in the waters of the Hawaiian operating area in order to assess the undersea warfare capabilities of the strike groups . Two nuclear - powered fast attack submarines also participated in USWEX . Carrier Strike Group Seven returned to its homebase on 25 November 2008 , completing its six - month 2008 overseas deployment . Strike group commander Rear Admiral Scott Hebner noted : 2008 Seventh Fleet operations . Typhoon Fengshen . Carrier Strike Group Seven cut short is port visit to Hong Kong and was ordered by U . S . President George W . Bush to join in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief ( HA / DR ) efforts for the island of Panay , Republic of the Philippines , in the aftermath of Typhoon Fengshen . Following the strike group ' s arrival on 25 June 2008 after steaming for 36 hours , Rear Admiral James P . Wisecup conferred with Lt . General Ike Inserto of the Armed Forces of the Philippines ( AFP ) to coordinate this HA / DR operation . During the first day , two C - 2A Greyhound cargo aircraft , two HH - 60H Seahawk helicopters , and one SH - 60F Seahawk helicopter flew from the carrier " Ronald Reagan " to Iloilo ' s Santa Barbara airport , delivering more than 12 , 000 bottles of fresh water and more than 7 , 500 lbs . of rice to the airport . Starting on 26 June 2008 , Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U . S . Navy personnel began delivering much - needed relief supplies to the victims of Typhoon Fengshen on Panay . Helicopters from Carrier Strike Group Seven made 19 relief sorties to deliver food and bottled water to areas most affected by Typhoon Fengshen . Inside the helicopters , U . S . Navy air crews paired with AFP officers and civilian government officials to make the deliveries while AFP officers embarked " Reagan " to help direct the effort . For the second consecutive day , Philippine Air Force ( PAF ) C - 130 cargo plane s loaded with food and other supplies arrived at Iloilo ' s Santa Barbara airport as did two C - 2A Greyhound cargo planes from the " Ronald Reagan " with water and rice . During the course of these first two days , the carrier " Reagan " had provided 28 , 128 20 - ounce bottles of water and 9 , 060 pounds ( 4 , 109 . 55 kg ) of rice . U . S . and AFP personnel loaded the supplies onto the helicopters for rapid delivery to storm victims , with the relief flights continuing as supplies arrive from " Ronald Reagan " , the Philippine government , and relief organizations . Also , the strike group ' s four destroyers were positioned around the island of Panay and served as fueling stations to keep the relief effort moving . In addition to the relief flights , a four - man engineering team from the " Ronald Reagan " engineers repaired Iloilo City ' s hospital generators damaged by the floods . After bringing a mud - damaged fuel pump aboard the ship for repair , the team returned to Iloilo City ' s Barotac Viejo Hospital and restored electrical power . Also , senior medical personnel from " Reagan " s health services department coordinated with AFP personnel and provincial government officials regarding public health issues . Finally , in addition to Carrier Strike Group Seven , the U . S . Navy maritime prepositioning ship provided assistance to the relief efforts while the rescue - and - salvage ship assisted in the recovery operations of the capsized ferry " Princess of the Stars " . On 29 June 2008 , United States Ambassador to Thailand Kristie A . Kenney joined AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander B . Yano flew aboard the " Ronald Reagan " to be briefed of the HA / DR mission as well as to thank the U . S . naval personnel for their relief efforts . On 3 July 2008 , Carrier Strike Group Seven departed the Sulu Sea and the island of Panay . During its relief mission , the strike group flew 332 sorties over eight consecutive days delivering more than 519 , 000 pounds ( 235 , 414 . 44 kg ) of fresh water , rice , and medical supplies to typhoon victims in Panay . Strike group commander Rear Admiral James P . Wisecup noted : SEACAT 2008 . DERSON - 7 guided - missile destroyer participated in the fourth annual Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism ( SEACAT ) exercise which began in Singapore on 18 August 2008 . SEACAT 2008 was the multifaceted exercises designed to focus information sharing , cooperation , and coordination by bringing together six countries for simultaneous bilateral exercises with the United States . It presented its participants with realistic situations involving criminal and terrorist threats requiring international coordination , communication and decision - making . SEACAT also provided participants with practical maritime interception training opportunities to enhance the maritime security and interoperability of the participating forces . For SEACAT 2008 , the naval forces of Brunei , Malaysia , Singapore , Thailand , and the Republic of the Philippines participated bilaterally with the U . S . Navy during SEACAT 2008 . A team of U . S . officers worked with liaison officers from the participating forces to analyze situations and produce recommended solutions for proposal to their individual national headquarters . The officers are also collaborated in the planning of maritime interception operations within the specific exercise scenario . Captain Michael W . Selby , the Destroyer Squadron One commodore , directed the exercise task force on behalf of Rear Admiral Nora W . Tyson , Logistics Group Western Pacific commander , who acted as the executive agent for SEACAT 2008 . Captain Selby noted : The U . S . Navy dock landing ship served as the flagship for SEACAT 2008 . In addition to " Howard " and " Tortuga " , other U . S . ships that participated in SEACAT 2008 included the frigate , the Coast Guard cutter , and Military Sealift Command salvage ship and pre - positioned cargo ships " 1st Lt . Baldomero Lopez " and " Cpl . Louis J . Hauge , Jr . " Also , a U . S . P - 3C maritime patrol aircraft from squadron VP - 16 participated in SEACAT 2008 . During the first day of the exercise , 18 August 2008 , " Howard " acted as an opposing force vessel that a commando team from the Brunei Special Forces boarded her . The Royal Navy of Brunei and the Royal Brunei Air Force tracked " Howard " and assisted the Brunei Special Forces team in the maritime intercept and subsequent boarding operation ( " pictured " ) . Helicopter Visit , Board , Search and Seizure Team 1 ( HVBSS - 1 ) was embarked aboard the " Howard " , and HVBSS - 1 acted as crew members assigned to the rogue vessel . On the second day of the exercise , 18 August 2008 , " Howard " boarding teams conducted small boat operations in rigid - hull inflatable boats ( RHIBs ) ( " pictured " ) , while coordinating with a P - 3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Navy . SEACAT 2008 concluded on 20 August 2008 . Malabar 2008 . Carrier Strike Group Seven participated in Malabar 2008 , an annual bi - lateral exercise with the Indian Navy , involving surface , air and sub - surface training while operating the Arabian Sea between 20 – 24 October 2008 ( " pictured " ) . The purpose of Malabar 2008 was to promote increase inter - operability between the United States and India , with a special emphasis on maritime interdiction , including counter - piracy and counter - terrorism operation . Rear Admiral Anil Chopra , Flag Officer of the Indian Navy ' s Western Naval Command ( FOCWF ) , noted : Joining Carrier Group Seven were the fast combat support ship and the nuclear - powered fast - attack submarine and a P - 3C maritime patrol aircraft . Indian naval units included guided - missile destroyers and ; the guided - missile frigates , , , and ; the replenishment tanker ; and a " Shishumar " - class diesel - electric submarine . On 14 November 2008 , Carrier Strike Group Seven concluded operation in the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility . 2008 Fifth Fleet operations . On 28 August 2008 , Carrier Strike Group Seven ( CARSTRGRU - 7 ) relieved Carrier Strike Group Nine , led by the carrier , as Carrier Task Force 50 ( CTF - 50 ) and launched its first sorties ( " pictured " ) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan ( OEF - A ) . A total of more than 1 , 150 sorties were flown by Carrier Air Wing Fourteen in support of coalition ground forces in southern Afghanistan during CARSTRGRU - 7 ' s deployment with the U . S . Fifth Fleet . The guided - missile destroyer " Decatur " and the guided - missile frigate " Thach " joined Combined Task Force 152 ( CTF - 152 ) operating in the Persian Gulf , while the guided - missile destroyers " Gridley " and " Howard " patrolled the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden as part of Combined Task Force 150 ( CTF - 50 ) . On 28 September 2008 , " Howard " began visually monitoring the situation involving Belize - flagged cargo ship " Faina " , captured 25 September , which is anchored off the Somalia coast near the harbor city of Hobyo . MV " Faina " was owned and operated by " Kaalybe Shipping Ukraine " and was carrying a cargo of T - 72 tanks and related equipment . Two other pirated vessels , MV " Capt Stefanos " and MV " Centauri " , were also anchored at this location . On 5 February 2009 the MV " Faina " and her crew were released after being held captive for 5 months . 2009 Operations . Carrier qualifications and sustainment exercises . On 17 February 2009 , the aircraft carrier " Ronald Reagan " departed Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado , California , for carrier qualifications for pilots from the Fleet Replacement Squadron ( FRS ) . Also , Electronic Attack Squadron 129 ( VAQ - 129 ) was also training instructor pilots to aid in the transition from EA - 6B Prowler to EA - 18G Growler . This marks the first landing of VAQ 129 ' s Growlers aboard an aircraft carrier ( " pictured " ) . On 26 March 2009 , Carrier Strike Group Seven returned to Naval Air Station North Island following the completion of its sustainment exercise ( SUSTAINEX ) . The aircraft carrier " Ronald Reagan " completed SUSTAINEX along with embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen ; the guided - missile cruiser ; the guided - missile destroyers and ; and the guided - missile frigate . SUSTAINEX is the last coordinated exercise involving the ships of Carrier Strike Group Seven prior to its upcoming Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) deployment later in 2009 . 2009 WESTPAC deployment . On 28 May 2009 , Carrier Strike Group Seven departed San Diego , California , to begin its 2009 Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) deployment . The strike group ' s departure was delayed for 24 hours because of a malfunction in a voltage regulator on one of the eight electrical generators on board the carrier " Ronald Reagan " . Carrier Strike Group Seven entered the U . S . Seventh Fleet ' s area of responsibility ( AOR ) on 9 June 2009 . Carrier Strike Group Seven returned to its home base at Naval Air Station North Island , California , completing its five - month WESTPAC deployment , on 31 October 2009 . Strike group commander Rear Admiral Scott Hebner noted : The guided - missile frigate " Thach " returned to San Diego on 5 November 2009 after completing an around - the - world deployment via the Suez Canal , the Strait of Gibraltar , and the Panama Canal . During its extended deployment , " Thatch " paid port call in Saipan , Thailand , Bahrain , Jordan and the Azores . The guided - missile destroyer " Decatur " returned to Naval Base San Diego on 23 November 2009 after an extended deployment . 2009 Seventh Fleet operations . Carrier Strike Group Seven entered the U . S . Seventh Fleet ' s area of responsibility ( AOR ) on 9 June 2009 . On 21 June 2009 , while transiting the Sulu Sea near the Republic of the Philippines , Carrier Strike Group Seven commemorated the one - year anniversary of Typhoon Fengshen relief efforts with a reception of Philippine civilian and military dignitaries aboard the carrier " Ronald Reagan " and a wreath - laying ceremony at sea . 2009 Fifth Fleet operations . A number of dignitaries visited Carrier Strike Group Seven ' s flagship , the carrier " Ronald Reagan " , during its deployment to the U . S . Fifth Fleet . Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen visited on 13 July 2009 ; Fifth Fleet commander Vice Admiral William E . Gortney on 16 – 17 August ; and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D . West on 12 – 13 September . Carrier air operations . On 6 July 2009 , Strike Group Seven relieved Carrier Strike Group Eight , led by the carrier , as Carrier Task Force 50 ( CTF - 50 ) , and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen ( CVW - 14 ) launched its first combat air sorties ( " pictured " ) in support of coalition ground forces for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan ( OEF - A ) . On 18 September 2009 , Carrier Strike Group Eleven relieved Carrier Strike Group Seven as Carrier Task Force 50 ( CTF - 50 ) . During its 2009 deployment to the U . S . Fifth Fleet , Carrier Air Wing Fourteen flew more than 1 , 600 sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan . Maritime security operations . The guided - missile destroyers " Decatur " , " Howard " , and " Gridley " , as well as the guided - missile frigate " Thach " , supported maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf , Arabian Sea , Gulf of Oman , Gulf of Aden , and Red Sea . For example , during July 2009 , the " Thatch " was assigned by Commander , Task Group Iraqi Maritime ( CTG - IM ) to serve as a picket ship patrolling the vital Al Basrah Oil Terminal ( ABOT ) located in the northern Persian Gulf . On 26 August 2009 , Somali pirates aboard " Win Far " opened fire at a U . S . Navy SH - 60B helicopter from Squadron HSL - 49 embarked aboard the cruiser " Chancellorsville " . No rounds struck the helicopter , the crew did not return fire , and no U . S . Navy personnel were injured . " Win Far " is a Taiwanese - flagged fishing vessel that was captured by pirates on 6 April 2009 , and it subsequently served as a " mother ship " to conduct other known pirate attacks , including the " Maersk Alabama " incident in April 2009 . The HSL - 49 helicopter was conducting a routine surveillance flight of " Win Far " at anchorage south of Garacad , Somalia , when the incident occurred . During the flight , aircrew observed activity , but could not ascertain they were fired upon until their return to " Chancellorsville " and review of Forward Looking Infrared Radar ( FLIR ) video , which recorded the incident . The helicopter was approximately 3 , 000 yards from " Win Far " when it was fired upon .