User:Marcd30319/Marcd30319 original Carrier Strike Group Nine

Carrier Strike Group Nine, abbreviated CSG-9 or CARSTRKGRU 9, is one of five U.S. Navy carrier strike groups currently assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. U.S. Navy carrier strike groups are employed in a variety of roles, all of which involve gaining and maintaining sea control.

Carrier Strike Group Nine is currently based at Naval Base San Diego, California, and it typically deploys to the U.S. Seventh Fleet operating in the Western Pacific and the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is the group's current flagship.

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). On 10 December 1981, the CCDG-3 Staff embarked on board the Forrestal-class aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61) (pictured) 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). 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), USS HAROLD E. HOLT (FF 1074), USS Camden (AOE-2), and USS Chancellorsville (CG-62), along with Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO ONE 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 USS Reuben James (FFG-57) 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, Carl Vinson Battle Group was redesignated 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 Crommelin (FFG-37), USS Camden, USS Hawkbill (SSN-666), 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 onboard 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 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 (pictured).

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, longer than any other nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in history. 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 Abraham Lincoln Carrier Battle Group also received a Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for its support of Operation Southern Watch (OSW) 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) serves as Immediate Superior-in-Command (ISIC) for the ships and units assigned to the group. The group commander exercises oversight of unit-level training, integrated training, and readiness for assigned ships and units, as well as maintains administrative functions and material readiness tracking for ships and 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 – achieved through a Composite Unit Training Exercise. When deployed overseas, Carrier Strike Group Nine comes under the authority of the numbered fleet commander in whose area it is operating. 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.

Force composition in 2011
U.S. Navy carrier strike groups typically consist of an aircraft carrier (flagship), an embarked carrier air wing, at least one Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, and a destroyer squadron. As of 2011, Carrier Strike Group Nine is composed of the following units:


 * USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), flagship (pictured)
 * Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2)
 * USS Vicksburg (CG-69)
 * Destroyer Squadron Nine (DESRON-9)
 * USS Sterett (DDG-104)
 * USS Halsey (DDG-97)
 * USS Momsen (DDG-92)
 * USS Shoup (DDG-86)
 * USS Ingraham (FFG-61)
 * USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60)
 * USS Ford (FFG-54)

2004–2009 operations


Since its establishment in 2004 through 2009, Carrier Strike Group Nine (CARSTRKGRU 9) undertook three western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployments to date in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan (OEF-A), and Operation New Dawn (OND) as well as providing support for regional maritime security operations. Additionally, CARSTRKGRU 9 also participated in such major military exercises as RSOI/Foal Eagle 06, Valiant Shield 2006, 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 (pictured). In recognition of this disaster-relief mission to Indonesia, Carrier Strike Group Nine received the Humanitarian Service Medal.

During this period, Carrier Strike Group Nine was the second U.S. Navy carrier strike group to be commanded by a former nuclear submarine commanding officer. CARSTRKGRU 9 was also the first carrier strike group to deploy with an entire LAMPS helicopter squadron embarked, with individual air detachments operating from its escort ships and supported by its aircraft carrier/flagship's aviation facilities. The carrier strike group's 2007 composite unit training (COMPTUEX) pre-deployment training exercises included Mobile Security Squadron 2 (MSRON-2), Helicopter Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (HVBSS) Team 1, a highly specialized boarding party, which was a first for West Coast-based U.S. Navy ships.

2010 Pre-deployment training and certification exercises
On 13 January 2010, the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln underwent sea trials following the completion of its nine-month, $350-million USD planned incremental availability (PIA) overhaul at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) in Bremerton, Washington. On 7 February, Abraham Lincoln left Naval Base San Diego to begin flight deck certification with Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) off the coast of Southern California. On 28 February, Abraham Lincoln also underwent a multi-day post-overhaul evaluation by the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey in San Diego.

Beginning 4 May 2010, Destroyer Squadron Nine (DESRON-9) warships USS Sterett (DDG-104), USS Halsey (DDG-97), USS Momsen (DDG-92), USS Shoup (DDG-86), USS Ford (FFG-54), and USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) underwent an emergency sortie exercise off the coast of Washington (pictured). This marked the start of a multi-ship training regimen involving six of seven DESRON-9 ships in preparation for upcoming deployment with the carrier strike group.

On 10 May 2010, the carrier Abraham Lincoln completed its Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) training exercises. TSTA exercises are two-phased training exercises involving shipboard drills, with the first phase done in-port and the second while underway at sea. FEP exercises are consider the third phase of TSTA involving command assessment of the strike group's response to a variety of combat scenarios.

On 13 August 2010, Carrier Strike Group Nine completed for its 18-day Comprehensive Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), a critical milestone in its pre-deployment training, and the strike group was certified as being ready for deployment. After COMPTUEX, over 25 Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) midshipmen joined COMCARSTRKGRU 9 for a month-long training cruise.

2010–2011 WESTPAC Deployment
On 11 September 2010, Carrier Strike Group Nine (CARSTRKGRU 9), under the command of Rear Admiral Mark D. Guadagnini, depart Navy Base San Diego, California, for its 2010 western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment. Admiral Guadagnini set forth the objectives of his strike group for its 2010 WESTPAC deployment as follows:
 * Security and stability lead to peace and prosperity. Lincoln Strike Group is ready to deploy world-wide as a force for peace in support of our nation’s global interests.

While enroute, the strike group executed a series of additional training exercises, including carrier qualifications (CQ), anti-piracy training, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises off Guam with the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN-776).

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 Carrier Strike Group Nine's 2010–2011 western Pacific 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.

Strike group warships USS Cape St. George (CG 71), USS Sterett (DDG-104), USS Halsey (DDG-97), USS Momsen (DDG-92), and USS Shoup (DDG 86) assisted mariners in distress and provided humanitarian assistance to more than 10 vessels. The strike group also conducted military exercises with France, Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. 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.

Seventh Fleet operations
On 25 September 2010, the strike group enter the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of responsibilitity (AOR). 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.

Carrier strike operations
On 17 October 2010, Carrier Strike Group Nine, with Carrier Air Wing 2 embarked, arrived in the U.S. Fifth Fleet's area of responsibility (AOR), joining Carrier Strike Group Ten, led by the carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), as part of Task Force 50 (pictured), the Fifth Fleet's carrier strike force. The task force's mission is to provide support for the surge of coalition forces in Afghanistan, to support existing maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf, and to support the drawdown of forces in Iraq. For long-range air combat missions over Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force KC-135 and KC-10s provided aerial tanker support to CVW-2 aircraft. 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, CARSTRKGRU 9 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 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.

Maritime security & anti-piracy operations
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 (GUNEX) 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 (SAR) involving helicopter from the Halsey, the fast combat support shup Ranier, and the British guided-missile frigate HMS Cumberland (F85), 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). 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 DESRON-9 destroyer Momsen, with the cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), 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).

Change of command
On 13 May 2011, Rear Admiral Troy M. ("Mike") Shoemaker relieved Rear Admiral Mark D. Guadagnini as commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine (COMCARSTRKGRU 9) in ceremonies held aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) based at Naval Station Everett.

During Guadagnini's tenure as COMCARSTRKGRU 9, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 (HSM-77), the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104) and the guided-missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) earned Battle "E" awards while serving as units of Carrier Strike Group Nine. Admiral Guadagnini's next assignment was as the deputy commander and chief of staff at U.S. Fleet Forces Command headquartered at Naval Station Norfolk.

Admiral Troy M. Shoemaker graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982. A naval aviator since 1984, he has more than 4,000 flight hours and has made more than 1,000 carrier arrested landings. Shoemaker had previously commanded Strike Fighter Squadron 105 (VFA-105), Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), and Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17). His immediate previous assignment was as the assistant commander for career management at the U.S. Navy Personnel Command located in Millington, Tennessee.

2011 Pre-deployment training exercises
On 27 June 2011, the carrier Abraham Lincoln was under way in the Pacific Ocean following a port maintenance period in preparation for its next underway phase, with the four-day sea trials scheduled to end on 30 June 2011.

Carrier qualifications & cyber readiness
On 13 July 2011, Abraham Lincoln got underway for carrier qualifications (CQ). Pilots from Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) squadrons had completed field carrier landing practice (FCLP) using the Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (IFLOLS) at their home naval air station flight lines prior to flying on board Lincoln at sea. Conducting FCLP training by using a stationary IFLOLS system prepares naval aviators for their upcoming carrier qualifications at sea.

The carrier also participated in the first-of-its-kind afloat command cyber readiness inspection (CCRI) conducted by the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command. CCRI is an in-depth inspection and analysis of a ship or shore command's network security posture to ensure that vital information is protected from cyber attacks. Lincoln's CCRI began on 8 July, and the carrier paased its CCRI on 14 July with the inspection results set the Navy standard for afloat units by achieving a score 11 percent higher than had previously been achieved in shore-based inspections. Lincoln's next CCRI is not scheduled until after the carrier's upcoming Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) during which the ship is temporarily taken off the carrier training cycle.

On 15 July 2011, Carrier Strike Group Nine flagship Abraham Lincoln, with Carrier Air Wing Two embarked, joined the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), the guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG-90), the mine countermeasures ship USS Champion (MCM-4), in Fleet Week activities in Los Angeles, California (pictured). Carrier Strike Group Nine is in Los Angeles between at-sea training and certification periods and prior to its upcoming western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment scheduled for the end of 2011.

Starting on 3 August 2011, the carrier Lincoln was underway off the coast of southern California conducting Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRS-CQ) flight training exercises (pictured) before returning to Everett, Washington, on 12 August 2011. Joining Carrier Strike Group Nine was the Canadian replenishment oiler HMCS Protecteur which departed from its home base for a two-month deployment off southern California on 19 September 2011. Protecteur supported the destroyer HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283) and the frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341) while the two Canadian warships participated in bi-lateral task group exercises with the U.S. Navy's Carrier Strike Group One.

Composite training
On 15 September 2011, the strike group's flagship, the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, departed Naval Station Everett. On 20 September 2011, Carrier Strike Group Nine (CARSTRKGRU 9) departed Naval Base San Diego for a three-week composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of California to evaluate the strike group's operational readiness.

COMPTUEX was the final phase of training prior to the carrier Lincoln's scheduled change of homeport deployment later in 2011. To certify that Carrier Strike Group Nine was ready for operations at sea, training personnel assessed the integration of all CARSTRKGRU 9 units, including air, strike, information, surface, and anti-submarine warfare assets. These COMPTUEX exercises were designed to ensure the various strike group elements are fully operational and ready to work as a coordinated unit for the upcoming deployment as well as the subsequent transition of Lincoln to its new homeport in Virginia.

During the three-week exercise, Commander Strike Force Training Pacific (CSFTP) evaluated the strike group's operational readiness by assessing the integration of all units of the strike group, including air, strike, information, surface and anti-submarine warfare. Following the evaluation, CSFTP certified the strike group ready for operations at sea. Commander Rear Adm. Thomas A. Cropper noted:


 * We work very closely to train, mentor and assess the different warfare commanders and their staff and take a look at the strike group as a whole and evaluate how they work together as one team to accomplish the myriad of missions they are given.

During COMPTUEX, Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) from the carrier Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) from the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) conducted numerous large-force strike drills for a joint task force exercise (JTFEX), an integrated battle force exercise designed to test the capabilities of strike groups operating with multinational forces in a join environment. Large-force air strikes involved simulated targeting and destruction of critical targets while suppressing enemy radars and anti-aircraft fire.

Also Destroyer Squadron Nine (DESRON-9) guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG-92) and USS Sterett (DDG-104) completed war-at-sea and surface-action group exercises which included tracking simulated enemy subs; maritime interdiction operations; visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) drills (pictured); and transiting through narrow straits within close proximity to hostile forces.

Finally, the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG-71) coordinated the air defense for the strike group. While leading a combined effort for air defense of Lincoln and Vinson, the Cape St. George incorporated all strike group units into a tactical data and communications link, both Carrier Strike Group Nine and Carrier Strike Group One.

Two final battle problems were conducted to verify the strike group's competency for open-ocean operations. On 12 October 2011, Commander Strike Force Training Pacific certified that Carrier Strike Group Nine was ready for operations at sea. On 18 October 2011, Abraham Lincoln returned to Naval Station Everett for the last time prior to its upcoming overseas deployment and homeport reassignment.

2011–2012 WESTPAC deployment
On 7 December 2011, the carrier Carl Vinson departed from Naval Station Everett, Washington, and the cruiser Cape St. George from Naval Base San Diego, California, to start their 2011-2011 Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment. The destroyer Sterett departed San Diego on 6 December 2011 to join up with the other units of Strike Group Nine.

On 13 December 2011, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 (HSM-77) flew from Naval Air Station North Island, California, to Carrier Strike Group Nine. Squadon HSM-77 and its 270 sailors deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing two aboard the carrier Abraham Lincoln. Detachments 2, 3 and deployed earlier this month to the cruiser Cape St. George and the destroyers Sterret and USS Momsen, respectively, with two helicopters per each detachment. Carrier Air Wing Two. The squadron serves as the eyes and ears for the carrier strike group, providing important anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Following its 2011–2012 WESTPAC deployment, Squadon HSM-77 will fly cross-country to return to NAS North Island while the Abraham Lincoln will begin its four-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News shipyard in Virginia.

Strait of Hormuz
On 9 January 2012, Carrier Strike Group One, led by the carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), joined Carrier Strike Group Three, led by the carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), in the North Arabian Sea, with Carrier Strike Group Nine enroute 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 HMS Argyll (F231) 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 30 nmi miles off the coast of Iran. Also, the new British guided-missile destroyer HMS Daring (D32) 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.

Carrier air operations
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, with strike group commander Rear Admiral Mike Troy M. ("Mike") Shoemaker noting:


 * The strike group's surface ships and aircraft squadrons are all manned, trained and ready. We've done the preparation, now it's time to get to work.

To assist the strike group's combat air operations, U.S. Army ground liaison officers (GLO) from the 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment served as communications links between ground forces in Afghanistan and Carrier Air Wing Two. GLOs use various networks such as the combined enterprise regional information exchange system and secret internet protocol router network phones to communicate with ground forces about planned missions and patrols. They also brief pilots prior to every sortie flown in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (OEF-A). Once the aircraft launch from the ship, the forces on the ground are in direct contact with the pilots in the air. GLOs also help interpret jargon from the different branches of service and work to decipher it for other personnel.

Maritime security operations
On 17 January 2012, the guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG-92) conducted a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1131 (EODMU-1131) based on the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln. The EOD team fast-roped onto Momsen from a helicopter from squadron HSC-12 to maintain the proficiency and qualifications for both the EOD personnel and the helicopter pilots. Following that evolution, they conducted training with the Momsen's 12-man VBSS team. These exercises were vital in an anti-piracy and boarding operations.

On 31 January 2012, at 12:37 pm local time, an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from squadron HSC-12 spotted a disabled Iranian fishing dhow, the M/V Sohaila, with nine crew members aboard (pictured). The dhow's master issued a distress call, reporting that his crew was in good condition, but that Sohaila's engine had overheated, which prevented the vessel from operating at sea. The guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) responded to the distress call. A visit, board, search and seizure team from the Jones board the Irania vessel, and they were joined by a diving team from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1131 flown from the carrier 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. Strike group commander Rear Admiral Troy M. ("Mike") Shoemaker noted:


 * This is one of the reasons our Navy exists. We preserve freedom of navigation and the unimpeded flow of commerce on the high seas. But anytime we come across a vessel in need of engineering or medical assistance, our Sailors are ready to assist with their expertise – in this case engineers and divers.

Exercise Stakenet 2012
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.

Stakenet exercises are held regularly during each nation’s rotation in command of the Command Task Force 152. Units from CMF navies and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Coast Guard forces join together to exercise procedures to protect critical maritime infrastructure within the Persian Gulf region. By doing so, maritime tactics and reporting procedures become familiar and clearly understood by all of the nations taking part. The 2012 Stakenet exercise was hailed as a considerable success during the post-exercise conference held at sea, yielding useful lessons regarding multi-layered protection and secure communications procedures and exercising the best tactical employment of the differing classes of ships and aircraft.

Warships that participated in Stakenet 2012 (pictured) included the U.S. guided-missile destroyers Sterrett and USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) and the coastal patrol vessels USS Typhoon (PC-5) and USS Chinook (PC-9); the British frigate HMS Argyll (F231); 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.

Homeport & flagship change-over
On 9 December 2010, the U.S. Navy officially announced that Naval Station Everett, Washington, was the new homeport for the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), replacing Abraham Lincoln, which would be undergoing its scheduled four-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News shipyard in Virginia during Summer 2012, with the RCOH slated to begin in 2013. Nimitz will replace the Abraham Lincoln in Everett upon completion of its docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) maintenance at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, located near Bremerton, Washington, in December 2011.

On 1 August 2011, the U.S. Navy announced that Carrier Strike Group Nine will change its permanent duty station from Naval Station Everett to Naval Base San Diego effective 14 December 2012. The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) will be re-assigned as the flagship for Carrier Strike Group Nine following the de-activation of Carrier Strike Group Seven. Abraham Lincoln will shift its homeport from Everett, Washington, to Newport News, Virginia, for its Refueling and Complex Overhaul in August 2012. The deactivation of Carrier Strike Group Seven effective 30 December 2011 reflected the U.S. Navy's future budgetary reductions as well as the realignment of its resources based on the reduced availability of its operational carrier fleet and carrier air wings.