Family and Friends, This blog just posted on the Navy Live Blog site navylive.dodlive.mil/2014/11/13/george-h-w-bush-carrier-strike-group-homecoming/ George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Homecoming By U.S. Navy- November 13, 2014 Posted in: Homecomings, Navy Life The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) will return to their homeports on 15 Nov, with the Air Wings fly-off taking place on 14 Nov after completing a 9 month combat deployment to both the Sixth and Fifth Fleet Areas of Operation. Below are the reflections of the GHWB CSG Commander, Rear Admiral DeWolfe H. Miller III on the Sailors and Families who serve in our Navy. This week, the George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group will return to Norfolk after a remarkable deployment where our ships and aircraft engaged in continuous combat for 8 months. We participated in Theater Security Cooperation in numerous countries, helped with the Ukrainian Crisis in the Black Sea and led the Special Operations Forces take-down of a hijacked Libyan tanker in the Mediterranean. We were involved in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and most recently, Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria. All of these missions were well chronicled in the news. I had the great privilege to observe something that wasnt as well documented: Amazing Sailors - the lifeblood of our Navy - performing magnificent feats in very demanding and challenging conditions on a daily basis. For a 4 month period, temperatures never dipped below 100 degrees and frequent sand storms would reduce visibility to less than a mile. Yet Sailors, whether on a flight deck, on a navigation bridge or in an engine room would execute their duties with pride and professionalism. They remained focused while performing unforgiving tasks such as loading ordnance on an FA-18 or launching aircraft off a flight deck into the night. Their professionalism and dedication to duty were truly inspirational. Their individual talents were combined to create a highly functional and extremely efficient team that succeeded in combat and answered the Nations call. I know that they were well supported by friends and family members ashore. Spouses, children and parents who for the last 9 months ran the daily chores of a household, wrote countless emails and provided much needed encouragement. Their dedication to duty is equally amazing. For they too, serve. The USS George H.W. Bush, USS Roosevelt, USS Truxtun and USS Philippine Sea will soon return to port, and the squadrons of CVW-8 will fly to their bases. Families will happily reunite in what some who live in port cities may call a routine homecoming; however, for the Sailors and families of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group, its anything but routine. I know you join me in expressing gratitude for their service. Welcome home, stay safe and God bless.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 04:15:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015