Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus approved the Navy Unit Commendation for the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group June 30.

The strike group earned the award for its work during assigned missions between March 18, 2014 to Oct. 27, 2014.

"This validates all the hard work we did as a group during deployment," said Command Master Chief David Carter. "It goes to show the team work we had as a strike group, which means as a team we played together very well, which is important."

The George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group comprises aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), Carrier Air Wing 8, which includes Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15, VFA 31, VFA 87, VFA 213, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124, Electronic Attack Squadron 134, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40; and Destroyer Squadron 22, which comprises Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80).

"We were operating in the Gulf of Oman and Northern Indian Ocean, and all of the sudden we got the call that ISIS is doing all these things up in Syria, and we need to get up there," said Carter. "Within 18 hours, we were on station in the Arabian Gulf ready to launch missions."

The strike group flew more than 1,800 sorties, expended more than 200 bombs, and launched 47 land-attack missiles as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.

"It shows our capability as a strike group and what we're able to do," said Carter. "I'm very proud of this team, and I would sail with this group of Sailors again any day."

Sailors assigned to the commands during the period of this award, and who were physically present, and participated in the activities for which the command is recognized, are authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.

George H. W. Bush is currently undergoing its planned incremental availability maintenance period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth.

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