NNS1503. USS Roosevelt CVBG deploying to Gulf region
Navy News Service 15/99 (March 31, 1999)
by 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

     NORFOLK (NNS) -- Ships and squadrons of the USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Battle Group deployed March 26
from their east coast bases for a scheduled six-month
deployment.
     Kenneth H. Bacon, Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Public Affairs), said during a Pentagon news briefing March
29 that the battle group's ultimate destination is the
Arabian Gulf, where it is scheduled to relieve the USS
Enterprise (CVN 65) CVBG. A decision about whether or not
the Theodore Roosevelt CVBG will participate in any Kosovo
contingency operation has not been made.
     The USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)
is scheduled to begin its six-month deployment April 14,
relieving the USS Nassau (LHA 4) ARG.
     Along with Theodore Roosevelt, naval forces that
departed March 26 included USS Halyburton (FFG 40), USS
Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), USS Ross (DDG
71), USS Arctic (AOE 8) and USS Albuquerque (SSN 706).
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) EIGHT with nine tactical aircraft
squadrons will embark the aircraft carrier. USS Peterson (DD
969) will deploy early next month as flagship for Standing
Naval Forces Mediterranean. USS Boise (SSN 764) will also
deploy next month to join the CVBG. USS Ramage (DDG 61) and
USS Elrod (FFG 55) will deploy in May to the Middle East
Force.
     Departing April 14 with Kearsarge are USS Gunston
Hall (LSD 44) and USS Ponce (LPD 15), along with more
than 2,000 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary
Unit.
-USN-