NORFOLK — The nearly 5,000 sailors of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 arrived at Naval Station Norfolk Thursday and concluded a 7-month deployment.
The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), commanded by Capt. Randy Peck, departed on deployment from Bremerton, Washington, in October of last year.
CSG 3, commanded by Rear Adm. Mike Wettlaufer, is comprised of the flagship John C. Stennis with Pacific Fleet based CSG-3 staff, embarked squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron 21 staff , USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), USS Stockdale (DDG 106) ,USS Spruance (DDG 111), and USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), according to the Navy.
“It’s exciting to be back home to reunite with family and friends, but it’s also a great homecoming for John C. Stennis, returning to Norfolk where it was commissioned 24 years ago,” Peck said. “It’s a privilege to have taken the ship around the world to begin the process of getting [John C.] Stennis back in the fight for two more decades of service.”
CVW-9 embarked squadrons include: Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, Fleet Logistics Combat Support Squadron (VRC) 30, Detachment 4, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71.
The USS Stennis completed a homeport change when pulling into Naval Station Norfolk, and will begin preparations for a mid-life Refueling Complex Overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding, Huntington Ingalls Industries, the Navy said.
For more information, visit: www.navy.mil.
