Escorts deploy without USS Harry Truman as East Coast carrier shortage persists
This has not happened since 2006. A few times since escorts left prior to the carrier because it was under maintenance, but the carrier joined its group later.
Read the rest of the article at the link.Surface escorts from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group left their homeports today to kick off an overseas deployment.
Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) did not.
After the carrier was sidelined at the end of August with a malfunction in the ship’s electrical distribution system, engineers continue to assess the problem. “The aircraft carrier’s repairs are progressing, and all efforts are being made to deploy the carrier and air wing as soon as possible,” according to a Navy statement to USNI News.
The timeline for diagnosing the problem and fixing it remains unclear.
In the meantime, the surface ships in the strike group are forming their own surface action group and deploying with neither the carrier nor the air wing.
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen (DDG-82) and USS Farragut (DDG-99) departed Mayport, Fla., today, and will be joined by Norfolk-based USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) in the coming days.
The SAG will be led by the Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28 and her staff, along with elements of the carrier strike group staff. The SAG staff brought in about 15 additional personnel to make up for capabilities typically found on the carrier, particularly in the areas of maintenance and technical support, U.S. 2nd Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis told USNI News today in a telephone interview.
The SAG will also take with it a detachment of MH-60R helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 72 out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.