6,500 sailors from Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group deploys from Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. (WSET) -- Thousands of sailors from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group deployed from Naval Station Norfolk Wednesday morning.
Nearly 6,500 are on board the deploying ships which include USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW), the USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), and USS Farragut (DDG 99).
The Sachsen-class German frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) also is operating as part of the strike group during the first half of the deployment, according to WVEC in Norfolk.
Officials said the Hessen is the only type of ship in the Western world with three different kinds of surface-to-air missiles.
Also, its radar has a detection range of more than 200 nautical miles for air targets.
Guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) are slated to deploy from their homeports and rejoin the strike group at a future date.
The strike group will operate in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts alongside allies and partners.
