GW CSG to Deploy to Caribbean Sea
Story Number: NNS060329-09
Release Date: 3/29/2006 1:45:00 PM
From Commander, 2nd Fleet Pulic Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy is deploying USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group (GW CSG), April 4, to participate in the “Partnership of the Americas” in the Caribbean Sea.
Partnership of the Americas will enhance regional maritime security and strengthen ties through operations and exercises with Caribbean and Latin American partner nations.
“Partnership of the Americas is designed to foster goodwill among partner nations through communications, operations, and training,” said Vice Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. “Furthermore, this exercise allows for participating units to sharpen their skills to be better trained and prepared to respond to future contingencies or operations.”
More than 6,500 Sailors from GW CSG ships will deploy for approximately two months. The units deploying from Norfolk are the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier George Washington with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 and guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55), all on April 4. The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) departs April 3.
The Oliver Perry-class frigate, USS Underwood (FFG 36), homeported in Mayport, Fla., already at sea performing escort duties, will join the GW CSG in the Caribbean Sea at a later date.
This deployment will support U.S. Southern Command’s objective for enhanced maritime security in its area of responsibility. It will provide the opportunity for U.S. and other forces to operate in the multinational environment, refine coordination, and improve interoperability. Assigned units will focus on being ready to deal with threats such as narco-terrorism and illicit trafficking, and improving training levels in a variety of mission areas.
Participating units will make a variety of port visits designed to promote goodwill and friendship with nations in the region.
George Washington returned from their most recent deployment in support of the global war on terrorism in July 2004. Under the Fleet Response Plan, the simple realignment of schedules makes this deployment possible.
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.
