US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and ships from its carrier strike group got underway from San Diego for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of global maritime security operations.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier deployed after undergoing retrofits to accommodate F-35C aircraft.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is now underway with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, the first Marine Corps squadron to fly F-35C embarked aboard the carrier. VMFA-314 became the first F-35C squadron in the Marine Corps to declare full operational capability (FOC) for the F-35C variant of the Joint Strike Fighter in July last year.
The Abraham Lincoln CSG is led by the command staff of CSG 3 and consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and the guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21) – USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Spruance (DDG 111).
“The entire CSG 3 team is trained and ready to deter and, if necessary, win conflicts as called upon by our nation’s leaders,” said Rear Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander, Carrier Strike Group 3. “As we leave today on this routine, scheduled deployment, I know the Sailors and Marines of this team will continue to serve this great nation and its people. It is our honor to do so.”
The units of the Abraham Lincoln CSG began their pre-deployment training cycle back in April and recently completed a month-long integrated exercise where Commander, US 3rd Fleet certified the strike group for deployment.
Another fact that sets this deployment apart from other US Navy carrier strike group deployments is that Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt is the first female commanding officer to lead the crew of one of the Navy’s 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and CVW 9 are deploying with the most advanced air wing in the Navy. Through the integration of organic 4th and 5th generation information and survivability, increased command and control abilities, and airborne electronic attack capacity.
“These sailors are incredible professionals who have trained exceptionally hard to ensure they are ready for any operational obligations required of us on deployment,” said Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, Abraham Lincoln’s commanding officer. “They are absolutely prepared for today’s deployment, and I have no doubt they will represent our nation proudly as we defend our national interests.”
