User:Marcd30319/Marcd30319 original Carrier Strike Group Ten

Carrier Strike Group Ten, abbreviated as CSG-10 or CARSTRKGRU 10, is one of five U.S. Navy carrier strike groups currently assigned to the United States Fleet Forces Command. 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 Ten is currently based at Naval Station Norfolk, and it typically deploys to the U.S. Sixth Fleet operating in the Mediterranean Sea and the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. The current flagship for Carrier Strike Group Ten is the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).

Historical background
The lineage to the current Carrier Strike Group Ten can be traced to Destroyer Flotilla Two which was established during World War I at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. The Flotilla was deactivated in 1922 as part of the fleet draw down after the war. Destroyer Flotilla Two was reactivated in 1931 and served throughout the 1930s as a caretaker of reserve destroyers until again deactivated in the early days of World War II. As part of the Navy’s fleet reorganization, the Flotilla was reactivated yet again in 1946. In 1973, Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Two was renamed Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two, and it relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1974. Among its ships was the replenishment ship USS Yosemite.

In the middle of 1992, the U.S. Navy instituted a concept which mandated greater task group integration of naval air and surface warfare assets into a more permanent carrier battle group structure. Instead of routinely changing the cruisers, destroyers, and frigates assigned to each carrier battle group, there was an attempt made to affiliate certain escorts more permanently with the carriers they escorted. Each of the Navy's 12 existing carrier battle groups was planned to consist of an aircraft carrier; an embarked carrier air wing; cruiser, destroyer, and frigate units; and two nuclear-powered attack submarines.

In 1993, following fleet reorganization, Cruiser Destroyer Group Two became the Battle Group Staff for the newly named George Washington Battle Group, with the newly-commissioned nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) as its flagship. The George Washington Battle Group participated in the 2000 NATO Exercise Destined Glory, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Deny Flight, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Vigilant Resolve.

In 2004 Cruiser Destroyer Group Two was redesignated as Carrier Strike Group Ten (COMCARSTRKGRU 10), with the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) initially assigned as its flagship. Subsequently, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) was assigned as the new flagship for CARSTRKGRU 10; the Truman had previously been under the operational control of the Commander, Carrier Group Two.

Command structure
Commander Carrier Strike Group Ten (COMCARSTRKGRU 10) serves as Immediate Superior-in-Command (ISIC) for the ships and units assigned to Carrier Strike Group Ten. Acting as an Operational Commander, COMCARSTRKGRU 10 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 Two reports to the Commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command as one of its six carrier strike groups currently assigned to that command. the group's pre-deployment training and certification comes under the operational control of Fleet Forces Command following the disestablisment of the U.S. Second Fleet on 30 September 2011. When deployed overseas, Carrier Strike Group Two comes under the command authority of the U.S. Sixth Fleet when operating in the Mediterranean Sea (MED) and the U.S. Fifth Fleet when operating in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf.

The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Six (DESRON-26) are under the administrative authority of Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic. Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) is under the administrative authority of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.

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 Three is composed of the following units:


 * USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), flagship (pictured)
 * Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3)
 * Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Six (DESRON-26)
 * USS Gravely (DDG-107)
 * USS James E. Williams (DDG-95)
 * USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81)
 * USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79)
 * USS Ross (DDG-71)
 * USS Elrod (FFG-55)

2004–2009 operations
Carrier Strike Group Ten 2004–2009 operations included two Mediterranean (MED) deploymments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan (OEF-A), and Operation Vigilant Resolve, as well as participation of Joint Task Force Exercise 05-2 (JTFEX 05-2).

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 USS Enterprise (CVN-65) from its current overhaul. This resulted in extending the upcoming 2010 deployment of Carrier Strike Group Ten to eight months.

2010 Mediterranean deployment


Carrier Strike Group Ten (CARSTRKGRU 10) deployed 21 May 2010 for a six-month deployment in support of maritime security operations (MSO) and theater security cooperation efforts in the Fifth and Sixth fleets' areas of operations under the command of Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll. Admiral Driscoll summarized the many objectives that Carrier Strike Group Ten would undertake during its 2010 deployment in an interview with Jane's Defence Weekly on 14 September 2010:

"The strike group [initially] aggregates as a unit but then we disaggregate into a variety of different missions. When we do power projection in a group and in a high-threat environment [or] when we conduct forward operations, we do not sail as a flotilla. We usually disaggregate and break up. Now we have two ships down at Combined Task Force 150 doing counter-piracy off Somalia and two doing the same in the Gulf of Aden. Others are in the [Persian] Gulf, doing presence operations. So we are spread, but if there's the operational request we can aggregate together in a very short time. The air wing is, or will be, focused on aerial support of OEF in Afghanistan. Of similar importance is patrolling to keep free and safe sea lanes open and providing a presence for everybody... there are many ships out here to have an eye on. Part of the presence mission also is to monitor and document them."

During its seven-month deployment, Carrier Strike Group Ten (CARSTRKGRU 10) flew 2,915 missions into Afghanistan and Iraq, providing vital close air support to coalition forces on the ground and, while delivering 35,000 pounds (15,876 kg) of ordnance in support of Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation New Dawn (OND). Also, etachments from helicopter squadron HSL-44 based on board the guided-missile destroyers USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) flew a combined 1,875 hours in support of anti-piracy operations, multinational training events, and counter-smuggling missions in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. The guided-missile cruiser Normandy served as the Regional Air Defense Commander (RADC) in support of OEF, providing surveillance of more than 264 million square miles (683.8 million km2) of air space.

Other highlights of the 2010 MED deployment included hosting a multi-national group of European military and civilian leaders on 9 December. Carrier Strike Group Ten returned to Naval Station Norfolk on 20 December 2010. Admiral Patrick Driscoll summarized the accomplishment of COMCARSTRKGRU-10's 2010 MED deployment as follows:

"This has been a great deployment because of the hard work and professionalism of our Sailors and Marines over the last seven months. Whether conducting combat flight operations in support of U.S. and coalition ground forces in Afghanistan, preventing piracy on the open seas, or interacting with the local community during well-deserved port visits, the strike group represented themselves and their country with the greatest pride and professionalism."

Sixth Fleet operations


While enroute, the carrier Truman carried out cross-deck air operations with the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to celebrate 100 years of French naval aviation; the Truman strike group paid a port visit to Marseille, France; and the guided-missile destroyer Ross conducted visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training with a Croatian Navy's VBSS team in operations off Split, Croatia. The Truman-led task force of 11 American warships and 5,000 men sailed through the Suez Canal on 20 June 2010.

On 21 June 2010, a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team (pictured) from the guided-missile destroyer Winston Churchill provided food and water to two stranded Yemeni fishermen who had been out to sea for a total of 14 days, and stranded without food, water or fuel for the last four days. The Churchill subsequently conducted counterpiracy operations with the French destroyer De Grasse off the Horn of Africa beginning 19 August 2010. On 27 September, a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team from Winston S. Churchill rescued 62 distressed mariners after their dhow capsized in the Gulf of Aden.

Fifth Fleet operations


Carrier Strike Group Ten entered the U.S. Fifth 5th Fleet's area of responsibility (AOR) on 29 June 2010. On 2 July 2010, Carrier Strike Group Ten relieved Carrier Strike Group Eight (CARSTRKGRU-8), led by the carrier Eisenhower, with Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll assuming command of Task Force 50, the U.S. Fifth Fleet's carrier strike task force.

Carrier air operations
Carrier Strike Group Ten began patrolling the northern Arabian Sea in early August 2010. The Truman rescued eight Iranian fishermen on 18 August 2010. After being rescued by search and rescue swimmers from two helicopters assigned to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Seven (HS-7), the mariners were transported to Truman for follow-on care, where they received medical attention, food, and clothing before being transferred to Iranian vessel AKL Chiroo via rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) on 20 August 2010.

As of 29 September 2010, aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) completed more than 3,300 aircraft sorties and logged more than 10,200 flight hours, with more than 7,200 of those hours in support of coalition ground forces in Afghanistan. Admiral Driscoll noted that:

"Our challenge is to continue to execute these many missions in a safe and efficient manner in this demanding and hazardous environment. These Sailors and Marines are the best I have deployed with, and they remain focused on the mission. We want to ensure all safely return to their families back in our homeport."

On 17 October 2010, Carrier Strike Group Ten was joined by Carrier Strike Group Nine (CARSTRKGRU 9), led by the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) with Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) embarked, as part of Task Force 50 (TF-50), the Battle Force for the U.S. Fifth Fleet (pictured). Its mission to provide surge support for coalition forces in Afghanistan, and to support existing maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf.

Additionally, a French naval task group led by the carrier Charles de Gaulle departed Toulon on 30 October 2010 for a four-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf. The task group also included two frigates, a nuclear attack submarine, a replenishment oiler, 3,000 sailors, and an Embarked Aviation Group (EAG) consiting of 12 Super-Étendard attack aircraft, 10 Rafale multi-role fighters, and two E-2C Hawkeye 2000 AEW aircraft. The task group commander, Rear Admiral Jean-Louis Kerignard, defined force's mission: "The force would help allied navies fight piracy off the coast of Somalia and send jets to support NATO in the skies above Afghanistan."

On 15 November 2010, four Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (VMM-266) landed and re-fueled on board the carrier Harry S. Truman following operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan (pictured). These VMM-266 helicopters part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), and they were returning to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) after completing humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan. Because of the distance between Pakistan and Kearsarge, the Truman acted as a "lily pad" for the helicopters to re-fuel.

Maritime security operations
On 5 July 2010, the guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55) assisted 16 stranded Pakistani fishermen (pictured) whose boat had taken on water and sank two days earlier. After being spotted floating adrift in a life raft by a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion, the stranded crew was recovered by the Elrod's rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) and transported back to the ship before being transferred to the Pakistani Navy frigate PNS Babur on 6 July 2010.

On 18 November 2010, CARSTRKGRU 10 guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) located and provided assistance to two Iranian mariners who were spotted floating in a life raft in the Persian Gulf. Oscar Austin was operating Combined Task Force 152 (CTF-152), and the two mariners were picked up by an Iranian rescue vessel (pictured).

USS Harry S. Truman maintenance cycle


On 18 February 2011, the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman completed its final underway period in preparation for its upcoming 12-month dry-docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) maintenance period. During this underway period, Truman participated in the first carrier suitability trials for the new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AEW aircraft (pictured), provided training for five Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRSs), and off-loaded more than 1500 LT of ammunition to the carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and dry cargo ship USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE-2) over four-days connected (CONREP) and vertical (VERTREP) underway replenishment cycle.

On 28 February 2011, the Harry S. Truman began its dry-docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) maintenance and yard overhaul period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. During this maintenance cycle, Truman received a new main mast, an upgrade in its close-in weapons systems, and the installation of the Automated Digital Network System (ADNS) which provides the carrier with enhanced communications and cooperative engagement capabilities to assess possible threats. Truman is expected to complete this DPIA yard overhaul in early 2012 and begin preparations for its sixth overseas deployment.

Also, Truman's berthing spaces were upgraded, installing 2,500 racks, while replacing 46,000 square feet (4,273.54 square meters) of deck surfacing and painting 106,000 square feet (9,847.72 square meters) of living spaces. A major DPIA milestone was achieved on 16 December 2011 when the Truman's port anchor chain was re-installed. The ship's anchor chains and anchors were removed in April for sandblasting and painting, and Truman's refurbished starboard anchor chain was scheduled to be re-installed by the end of the month of January 2012.

On 3 February 2012, the Truman was moved from dry dock 8 (DD8) to her new berth, Pier 6 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia, and as of 7 February 2012, it was reported that Truman's DPIA maintenance cycle was 75 percent completed, with the focus on increasing shipboard training in preparation for at-sea operations by the carrier. On 7 April 2012, the propulsion plant production completion date (PCD) for Truman's propulsion plant production was reached on 7 April 2012, marking the end of work on the ship's nuclear reactors during this DPIA maintenance cycle. Truman's reactor department is set to begin the testing phase as part of DPIA in anticipation of Truman returning to the fleet during the Summer 2012.

Change of command
On 15 March 2011, Rear Admiral Herman Shelanski relieved Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Ten (COMCARSTRKGRU 10) in a change of command ceremony held aboard Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Admiral Driscoll's next assignment was as the deputy chief of staff for Operations and Fleet/Joint Training at U.S. Fleet Forces Command based at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. A Naval Flight Officer, Admiral Shelanski was a former commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman and his immediate assignment prior to Carrier Strike Group Ten was as the director of the Environmental Readiness Division.

FRUKUS 2011


The multi-national naval exercise FRUKUS 2011 began off the coast of Virginia on 20 June 2011. FRUKUS stands for the participating countries – France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and it was a two-week interoperability exercise to improve maritime security operation (MSO) through open dialogue and increased training between the participating navies. Participating U.S. naval forces included Commander Carrier Strike Group Ten, Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Six (DESRON-26), and the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG-95); and the international naval forces included the French frigate Ventôse, the Russian destroyer Admiral Chabanenko, and the guided-missile destroyer HMS Dauntless (D33).

The exercise consisted of two phases, ashore and at-sea. The week-long ashore phase included damage control, fire fighting, and ship handling exercises at shore-based training facilities. The at-sea phase (pictured) occurred during the second week, between 27 June and 1 July, and this phase included training in maritime domain awareness, anti-piracy operations, and maritime interdiction operations (MIO). A shore-based multin-ational combined task group (CTG) staff provided command and control for the participating warships during the at-sea phase. Rear Admiral Herman Shelanski, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, summarized the accomplishment of FRUKUS 2011:


 * This has been a very successful operation. We hope this is just the beginning of an increase in our ability to secure maritime security around the world and to lead us – as four different nations – into future combined operations ashore and afloat.

JMSDF PASSEX


Between 31 July and 2 August 2011, Destroyer Squadron Twenty-six (DESRON-26) participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) off the east coast of the United States (pictured).

PASSEX exercises are designed to provide realistic training environments for U.S. Navy and the JMSDF Training Squadron that closely replicates the operational challenges routinely encountered around the world. DESRON-26 is worked in close coordination with the JMSDF Training Squadron which consists of newly-commissioned Japanese surface warfare officers. Captain Nelson Castro, deputy commander DESRON 26, noted:


 * PASSEX really gives us an opportunity to not only practice what we might be called upon to do, but we have the chance to establish a professional relationship with our allies making us more capable forces working together at sea.

U.S. naval units participating were Carrier Strike Group 10, DESRON 26, the guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG-69), the guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG-94), and the guided-missile frigate USS Taylor (FFG-50). Japanese naval units participating were the destroyer Mineyuki (DD-124), the training vessel Asagiri (TV-3516), and the training vessel JDS Kashima.