STUTTGART, Germany - The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG)
entered the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations April 18, 2018 as part of a
routine deployment in support of NATO allies, European and African partner
nations, coalition partners, and U.S. national security interests in Europe
and Africa.

Quote: 
"We are thrilled to have the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group here in
the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations and look forward to having them on our
team as we conduct the full spectrum of maritime operations to include
working alongside our NATO allies and regional partners. Our U.S. 6th fleet
motto is "Power for Peace," and there is no more recognizable symbol of
American naval power than a carrier strike group. Their presence in this
vital region is a reflection of our commitment to a safe, prosperous and
free Europe and Africa."
  - Vice Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet

Quick Facts: 
-The HSTCSG consists of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S.
Truman (CVN 75); Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG
60); Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99),
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), and USS Arleigh Burke
(DDG 51), along with the embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8,
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28. Embarked
aviation squadrons include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11; VFA-81;
VFA-136; VFA-211; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137; Early Warning
Squadron (VAW) 126; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72; Helicopter
Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11; and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support
Squadron (VRC) 40.The Sachsen-class German frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) is
also operating as part of the strike group during the initial portion of the
deployment. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Jason
Dunham (DDG 109) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) are slated to deploy and
rejoin the strike group at a later date.
-The HSTCSG departed Naval Station Norfolk, April 11, for a regularly
scheduled deployment.
-The HSTCSG previously operated in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations
from June to July 2016.
-The most recent aircraft carrier strike group to operate in the U.S. 6th
Fleet area of operations was the USS George H.W. Bush CSG which conducted
combat operations from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea from January 28 to
March 9, 2017 and again from July 5-19, 2017.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum
of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency
partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and
stability in Europe and Africa.