Carrier strike group

U.S. Navy ships assigned to the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group sail in formation for a strike group photo in the Caribbean Sea 29 April 2006. Such a formation would not be used in combat.

A carrier strike group[1] (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates,[2] and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. The carrier strike group commander operationally reports to the commander of the numbered fleet, who is operationally responsible for the area of waters in which the carrier strike group is operating.

Carrier strike groups comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection capability. Previously referred to as Carrier Battle Groups (a term still used by other nations), they are often referred to by the carrier they are associated with (e.g., Enterprise Strike Group). As of March 2016 there are 10 carrier strike groups.

The carrier strike group is a flexible naval force that can operate in confined waters or in the open ocean, during day and night, in all weather conditions. The principal role of the carrier and its air wing within the carrier strike group is to provide the primary offensive firepower, while the other ships provide defense and support. These roles are not exclusive, however. Other ships in the strike group sometimes undertake offensive operations (launching cruise missiles, for instance) and the carrier's air wing contributes to the strike group's defense (through combat air patrols and airborne anti-submarine efforts). Thus, from a command and control perspective, carrier strike groups are combat organized by mission rather than by platform.

History

The development of the U.S. Navy carrier battle group can be traced to the 1920s and was initially based on previous experience grouping battleships and other major surface combatants. In World War II, administratively, aircraft carriers were assigned to carrier divisions (CARDIVs). Operationally they were assigned to Task Forces, of which Task Force 11, Task Force 16 and Task Force 17 perhaps gained the most fame for their roles in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. The single-carrier battle group was born with the military draw down that followed World War II. Carrier Division 1 was redesignated Carrier Group 1 on 30 June 1973,[3] and seemingly all Carrier Divisions were redesignated Carrier Groups on that date.

Throughout the 1990s, the U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier groups were officially referred to as Carrier Battle Groups (CVBGs), and were commanded by either flag officers called Cruiser-Destroyer Group (CRUDESGRU) or Carrier Group (CARGRU) commanders.[4]

In the Summer of 1992, the U.S. Navy instituted a concept that mandated greater task group integration of naval air and surface warfare assets into a more permanent carrier battle group structure. Each of the Navy's 12 existing carrier battle groups consisted of an aircraft carrier; an embarked carrier air wing; cruisers, destroyer, and frigate units; and two nuclear-powered attack submarines.[5]

On 1 October 2004, carrier groups and cruiser-destroyer groups were redesignated carrier strike groups.[6] The change in nomenclature from 'Battle' to 'Strike' appears to have been connected with an increasing emphasis on projecting air power ashore; the change acknowledged that battles at sea on the Battle of Midway model were becoming more unlikely.

Missions

Carrier strike groups are tasked to accomplish a variety of wartime missions, as well as a wide variety of functions in situations short of war. The peacetime mission is to conduct forward presence operations, to help shape the strategic environment, deter conflict, build interoperability with allies, and respond to crises when necessary. The U.S. Navy provides a regular rotation of strike groups overseas, typically for six-eight months, based on the needs of Unified Combatant Commands that request strike group capabilities in their respective area of responsibility (AOR). The ships in the group often "disaggregate" from the carrier, performing missions hundreds or even thousands of miles away. The missions of the carrier strike groups include:

Typical CSG composition

CSGs are not restricted to a specific composition and can be modified depending on expected threats, roles, or missions expected during a deployment, and one may be different from another. The Navy states that "there really is no real definition of a strike group. Strike groups are formed and disestablished on an as needed basis, and one may be different from another. However, they all are comprised of similar types of ships."[7] A U.S. Navy carrier strike group typically includes:

While the carrier strike group is the various components' operational superior, administratively the ships and the carrier air wing are assigned to different U.S. Navy type commands (TYCOMs). Aircraft carriers and Carrier Air Wings are under the administrative control of Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, or Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific. Escorts, including guided-missile cruisers and a CSG's destroyer squadron are under the administrative control of Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic or Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific.

Composite Warfare Command structure

The Strike Group comprises several commands, all of which reside under the authority of the Commander of the CSG (CCSG or COMCARSTRKGRU). The CCSG is typically a 1-star rear admiral (lower half), who often promotes to 2-stars while in the job. He is the Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC) to the carrier, air wing, destroyer squadron, and cruiser commanding officers assigned to the strike group. As such, he is responsible for unit-level training, integrated training, and readiness for assigned ships and units, as well as maintaining administrative functions and material readiness tracking for ships and squadrons assigned to the group.

In battle, the CCSG is also known as the Composite Warfare Commander (CWC) who acts as the central command authority for the entire strike group. The CWC designates subordinate warfare commanders for various missions:

SUWC and USWC responsibilities are often combined into Sea Combat Commander (SCC), usually delegated to the DESRON commander. He performs these duties from aboard the carrier due to its superior Command-Control-Communications-Computers and Intelligence (C4I) capabilities. Supporting the CWC and his warfare commanders are coordinators who manage force sensors and assets within the strike group.

List of Carrier Strike Groups

The Navy maintains 11 carrier strike groups, 10 of which are based in the United States and one that is forward deployed to Japan.[7] They were all redesignations of former Carrier Groups (CarGrus) and Cruiser-Destroyer Groups (CCDGs). The Fleet Response Plan requires that six CSGs be deployed or ready for deployment within 30 days at any given time, while two additional groups must be ready for deployment within 90 days.[8] The Navy typically keeps at least one CSG in the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Southwest Asia and one in the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific at all times. CSGs operate in the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, and U.S. Fourth Fleet around the South American continent as they transit to and from other areas. CSG Commanders report to their respective numbered-fleet commander, depending on where they are operating. When not deployed overseas west coast CSGs report to U.S. Third Fleet.

Refueling and Complex Overhaul

USS Theodore Roosevelt did not have an embarked CSG since the carrier was currently going through its Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH)[9] which was expected to be completed by August 2013. Theodore Roosevelt was assigned to Carrier Strike Group Twelve subsequent to USS Enterprise (CVN-65) deactivation on 1 December 2012.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) will shift its homeport from Everett, Washington, to Newport News, Virginia, for its Refueling and Complex Overhaul in August 2012[10] subsequently postponed until 2013.

On 14 January 2014, the U.S. Navy announced that the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) will replace the USS George Washington (CVN-73) as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Five, the only forward-based carrier strike group home-ported at Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. The George Washington is scheduled to undergo its mid-life complex refueling and overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard in Newport News, Virginia.[11]

Permanent change-of-station status

On 14 January 2014, the U.S. Navy announced that the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) will shift its home-port to Naval Base San Diego, California, becoming part of the U.S. Third Fleet. As such, the Theodore Roosevelt and its as-yet assigned carrier strike group will also deploy to the U.S. Seventh Fleet's operating area in the western Pacific.[11]

List of active CSG

As of January 2012 the U.S. Navy is committed to maintaining 11 Carrier Strike Groups, but will have only 10 active until USS Gerald R. Ford goes in to service.[12]

On 1 August 2011, the Navy announced that Carrier Strike Group Nine will change its permanent duty station from Naval Station Everett to Naval Base San Diego effective 14 December 2012.

Carrier Strike Group Last Assigned Aircraft Carrier Carrier air wing Destroyer Squadron Homeport Notes
Carrier Strike Group One
(formerly CarGru 1)		 USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Carrier Air Wing Seventeen DESRON-1 Naval Air Station North Island [13][14]
Carrier Strike Group Two
(formerly CarGru 2)		 USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Carrier Air Wing Eight DESRON-22 Naval Station Norfolk [15]
Carrier Strike Group Three
(formerly CarGru 3)		 USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Carrier Air Wing Nine DESRON-21 Naval Base Kitsap [16]
Carrier Strike Group Five
(formerly CarGru 5)		 USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) Carrier Air Wing Five DESRON-15 Fleet Activities Yokosuka [17]
Carrier Strike Group Eight
(formerly CarGru 8)		 USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) Carrier Air Wing Seven DESRON-28 Naval Station Norfolk [18][19][20]
Carrier Strike Group Nine
(formerly CCDG 3)		 USS George Washington (CVN-73) Carrier Air Wing Two DESRON-9 Naval Base San Diego [10][21]
Carrier Strike Group Ten
(formerly CCDG 2)		 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) Carrier Air Wing Three DESRON-26 Naval Station Norfolk [22][23]
Carrier Strike Group Eleven
(formerly CCDG 5)		 USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Carrier Air Wing Eleven DESRON-23 Naval Station Everett [24]
Carrier Strike Group Twelve
(formerly CCDG 8)		 USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
 Carrier Air Wing One DESRON-2 Naval Station Norfolk [25][26][27][28]

List of former CSG

Carrier Strike Group Four was redesignated alongside the other groups in 2004, but has since been redesignated Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic.

Carrier Strike Group Six was established from Carrier Group Six with USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) at Naval Station Mayport in 2004, but seems to have since been disestablished.

Carrier Strike Group Fifteen has been disestablished, and its flagship, the carrier Ronald Reagan, was reassigned to Carrier Strike Group Seven.

The deactivation of Carrier Strike Group Seven effective 30 December 2011 reflects the U.S. Navy's future budgetary reductions and the reduced availability of its operational carrier fleet and carrier air wings.[29][30] The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) will be reassigned as the flagship for Carrier Strike Group Nine following the de-activation of Carrier Strike Group Seven.

Carrier Strike Group Last Assigned Aircraft Carrier Carrier air wing Destroyer Squadron Homeport Notes
Carrier Strike Group Four Became Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic between July 2005 and February 2006
Carrier Strike Group Six
(formerly CarGru 6)		 USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) CVW-17 Naval Station Mayport
Carrier Strike Group Seven
(formerly CarGru 7)		 USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) Carrier Air Wing Fourteen DESRON-7 Naval Air Station North Island [31][32]
Carrier Strike Group Fourteen
(formerly CCDG 12)		 — — — Naval Station Mayport [33]
Carrier Strike Group Fifteen
(formerly CCDG 1)		 USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) — — Disestablished 21 March 2005 – Pacific coast

See also

References

  1. ↑ navy.mil web team. "U.S. Navy Style Guide - View List".
  2. ↑ Official Carrier Strike Group Seven Homepage – Ship composition Archived 25 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ John Pike. "Carrier Group ONE".
  4. ↑ Utz, Curtis A. (July–August 2005). "Year in Review 2004" (PDF). Naval Aviation News. Washington Yard: U.S. Navy. p. 34. Retrieved 2010-12-01. Aviation Command Changes, 2004
  5. ↑ Polmar, Norman (1993). The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, 15th ed. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 32, 36 (Table 6–5). ISBN 1-55750-675-2.
  6. ↑ Curtis A. Utz and Mark L. Evans (July–August 2005). "The Year in Review 2004". Naval Aviation News. Washington, DC: U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2010-11-09. Aviation Command Changes, 2004
  7. 1 2 3 4 "The Carrier Strike Group". Navy Data. U.S. Navy. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  8. ↑ "Summer Pulse '04 Questions & Answers". United States Navy. 6 June 2005. Archived from the original on 7 October 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
  9. ↑ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Nathan L. Lockwood, U.S.N (1 October 2009). "USS Theodore Roosevelt Transitions to Newport News Shipyard for Complex Overhaul". NNS090901-18. USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  10. 1 2 "Change in Permanent Duty Station for Carrier Strike Group Nine" (PDF). OPNAV Notice 5400 Ser DNS-33/llU228546. Office of the Chief of Naval Operations – U.S. Department of the Navy. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
  11. 1 2 "Navy Aircraft Carrier Moves Underscore Pacific Rebalance Strategy". NNS140114-15. U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  12. ↑ "U.S. to keep 11 aircraft carriers". 22 January 2012.
  13. ↑ "Navy Establishes Carrier Strike Group 1". Navy News. Military.com. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  14. ↑ "COMCARSTRKGRU ONE". Home Page. U.S. Navy. 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  15. ↑ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Nathan A. Bailey, U.S.N (22 September 2010). "Carrier Strike Group 2 Embarks USS George H.W. Bush". NNS100922-09. USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Public Affairs. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  16. ↑ "Carrier Strike Group Three". USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). U.S. Navy. 2010. Archived from the original on 15 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  17. ↑ "Forward Deployed Naval Forces". Commander, Task Force 70. U.S. Seventh Fleet. 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  18. ↑ "COMCARSTRKGRU EIGHT". Home Page. U.S. Navy. 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  19. ↑ Senior Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Priscilla Kirsh, U.S.N (18 November 2005). "Strike Group Staff Moves Aboard Ike". NNS051118-12. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
  20. ↑ This story was written Mass Communication Specialist Seaman A.O. Tinubu, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs. "USS Harry S. Truman Deploys".
  21. ↑ "COMCARSTRKGRU NINE". Home Page. U.S. Navy. 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  22. ↑ "Commander, Carrier Strike Group Ten". Home Page. U.S. Navy. 2010. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  23. ↑ Journalist 1st Class (SW) Athena Blain, U.S.N (11 April 2005). "CSG 10 Changes Command". NNS050411-06. USS Harry S. Truman Strike Group Public Affairs. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
  24. ↑ "COMCARSTRKGRU ELEVEN". Home Page. U.S. Navy. 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  25. ↑ "COMCARSTRKGRU TWELVE". Home Page. U.S. Navy. 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  26. ↑ "CSG 12 Enterprise Strike Group". Home Page. U.S. Navy. 2010. Archived from the original on 21 December 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  27. ↑ Journalist 3rd Class Daniel Vaughan, U.S.N (7 September 2004). "Cruiser Destroyer Group 8 Takes Charge of Enterprise CSG". NNS040907-04. USS Enterprise Public Affairs. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  28. ↑ Journalist Seaman N.C. Kaylor, U.S.N (6 June 2006). "Enterprise Strike Group Begins Operations in Persian Gulf". NNS060606-03. USS Enterprise Public Affairs. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  29. ↑ Carlo Munoz (5 August 2011). "Navy Drops Carrier Group, Down to Nine". Sea. AOL Defense. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
  30. ↑ "Deactivation of Carrier Strike Group Seven and Change in Permanent Duty Station for Carrier Strike Group Eleven" (PDF). OPNAV Notice 5400 Ser DNS-33/11U107438 of 1 Mar 2011. =Office of the Chief of Naval Operations – U.S. Department of the Navy. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
  31. ↑ "Commander Carrier Strike Group Seven". Official Web Site. U.S. Navy. 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  32. ↑ Chief Journalist Donnie Ryan and Photographer's Mate 2nd Class (AW) Anthony Walker (25 October 2005). "USS Ronald Reagan, Carrier Strike Group 7 Begin COMPTUEX". NNS051024-12. USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
  33. ↑ "COMCARSTRKGRU FOURTEEN". Home Page. U.S. Navy. 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.

Further reading

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