NAVY WIRE SERVICE (NWS) - February 22, 2000 -

NWS22feb-4. Eisenhower Battle Group, Wasp ARG deploy


NWS22feb-4. Eisenhower Battle Group, Wasp ARG deploy
By Second Fleet PAO
    NORFOLK, Va. (NWS) -- The ships and squadrons of the USS
Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Battle Group began a
scheduled six-month deployment Feb. 18. About 15,000 Sailors
and Marines are deploying to relieve the USS John F. Kennedy
(CV 67) Battle Group.
    The battle group has spent months preparing for this
deployment, participating in a series of increasingly
demanding exercises and operations. The training culminated
in Joint Task Force Exercise 00-1 held in December.
    "The pace of the work-ups have been hectic," said Capt.
Denby Starling, the carrier's commanding officer. "But Ike's
Sailors, as always, have come through with flying colors.
We're ready for deployment and eager to put our training
into practice."
    In addition to Eisenhower and Carrier Air Wing 7,
deploying ships include USS Anzio (CG 68), USS Kauffman (FFG
59), USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), USS Laboon (DDG 58),
USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Cape St. George (CG 71), USS
Hartford (SSN 768), USS Springfield (SSN 761), USNS Kanawha
(T-AO 96), and USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34). The USS Wasp (LHA
1) Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) deployed Friday. The ARG
is composed of Wasp, USS Trenton (LPD 14), and USS Oak Hill
(LSD 51).
    During the next six months, battle group ships will
conduct joint operations with the navies of various European
countries, and visit ports in various Mediterranean and
Arabian Gulf nations. The ships and squadrons are scheduled
to return home in August.
    For a list of ships' web sites, go to
www.navy.mil/nol/cat.html
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