‘Ike’ returns home

The Dwight D Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has returned to the United States after a seven-month deployment in support of Operations ‘Inherent Resolve’, ‘Odyssey Resolve’ and ‘Oaken Steel’. The USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) arrived at its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on December 30 accompanied by the guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)(Ike) conducts a routine, scheduled transit. Ike and its Carrier Strike Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Casey J. Hopkins)

Embarked on ‘Ike’ (CVN 69) are the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, including Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 32 ‘Swordsmen’, VFA-86 ‘Sidewinders’, VFA-105 ‘Gunslingers’ and VFA-131 ‘Wildcats’; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 ‘Zappers’; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 ‘Screwtops’; Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 ‘Rawhides’; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 ‘Swamp Foxes’; and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 ‘Dusty Dogs’. While deployed, the strike group operated in the 5th and 6th US Fleet areas of operations while providing maritime security, conducting combat missions and launching F/A-18 strikes against terrorist targets in Syria and Iraq.