Nimitz Strike Group

The Nimitz Strike Group, also known as Carrier Strike Group Eleven, is the collection of United States Navy ships and aircraft built around the aircraft carrier "USS Nimitz" (CVN-68). The battle group's homeport is in San Diego, California.

History

In 1973, a major reorganization of the Navy's cruiser-destroyer force resulted in Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Nine's (CRUDESFLOT NINE) re-designation as Cruiser Destroyer Group Five (CDG5). In 2004, another realignment of US Navy forces afloat required a second name change to Carrier Strike Group Eleven (CSG11).

The primary mission of CRUDESFLOT NINE during the Vietnam era had been to ensure the effective employment of approximately 60 cruisers and destroyers in the SEVENTH Fleet. By January 1973, with the end of hostilities in Vietnam, Flotilla NINE had expended nearly 80,000 rounds in Naval gunfire support missions. This offshore firepower, and the equally important role of search and rescue coordination, were vital parts of the extensive Naval presence in the South China Sea.

Today the Nimitz Strike Group, lead by Commander Carrier Strike Group Eleven is made up of an aircraft carrier with its embarked air wing, two cruisers and five destroyers.

Composition

Units currently in the battle group:

* USS "Nimitz" (CVN 68)
* USS "Bunker Hill" (CG 52)
* USS "Princeton" (CG 59)
* Destroyer Squadron 23 (CDS 23)
* USS "Chafee" (DDG 90)
* USS "Higgins" (DDG 76)
* USS "John Paul Jones" (DDG 53)
* USS "Pinckney" (DDG 91)
* USS "Sampson" (DDG 102)
* Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW 11)
* VFA-14 "Top Hatters"
* VFA-41 "Black Aces"
* VFA-81 "Sunliners"
* VMFA-232 "Red Devils"
* [http://www.nbvc.navy.mil/vaw-117/ VAW-117 "Wallbangers"]
* [http://www.nasni.navy.mil/wings/vrc30 VRC-30 "Providers"]
* [http://www.hs6.navy.mil/ HS-6 Indians]