The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) departed Naval Station Norfolk, April 11, for a regularly scheduled deployment.

The strike group, including aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, USS Normandy (CG 60), several destroyers of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28 and German frigate FGS Hessen (F 221), is scheduled to conduct operations in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

The deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of U.S. forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe. Additionally, HSTCSG units will work alongside allied and partner maritime forces, focusing on theater security cooperation efforts, which help to further regional stability.

"I'm incredibly proud of the dedication that the thousands of Sailors from the ships, squadrons and staffs of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group have shown in preparing for this deployment, and I'm honored to lead and serve with them," said Rear Adm. Gene Black, commander of HSTCSG. "These Sailors have proven themselves a highly capable team, ready to tackle any mission that our nation calls on them to perform."

For Truman, the deployment follows more than eight months of intense training and preparation that began when the ship completed its on-time periodic incremental availability in July 2017, and culminated in its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in March, which certified the ship for deployment.

"The Sailors on this team have been nothing short of spectacular," said Capt. Nicholas Dienna, Truman's commanding officer. "After making Truman the first aircraft carrier -- in a number of years -- to leave the shipyard on time, these men and women continued their level of excellence through one of the most complex work-up cycles ever. Their honed technical skills are what will drive this war-tested vessel to be successful at whatever may come. We are excited to deploy forward and, more importantly, we are ready!"

The HSTCSG consists of the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) with embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG 8), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; embarked squadrons of CVW 1; guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); and DESRON 28 guided-missile destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), and USS The Sullivans (DGG 68). The Sachsen-class German frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) is also operating as part of the strike group during the first half of the deployment. USS Jason Dunham and USS The Sullivans are slated to deploy at a later date and will rejoin the strike group in theater.

Squadrons of CVW 1, commanded by Capt. John Perrone, that will embark Truman during deployment include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 "Red Rippers," VFA 211 "Checkmates," VFA 81 "Sunliners," VFA 136 "Knighthawks," Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 "Rooks," Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126 "Seahawks," Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72 "Proud Warriors," Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 "Dragon Slayers" and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 "Rawhides."

USS Harry S. Truman, named in honor of the 33rd U.S. President, was commissioned on July 25th, 1998 as the 8th Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier. This deployment marks the seventh time Truman has been called upon to serve forward; the ship completed its most recent deployment to U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet areas of operation in July 2016.

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.