Reagan, strike group deploying today - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Reagan, strike group deploying today

SAN DIEGO — Several thousand sailors will say their goodbyes and leave Wednesday morning for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific with the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and its five-ship strike group, officials said.

The Nimitz-class Reagan, the flagship for Carrier Group 7, will deploy with the guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville, guided-missile frigate Thach and guided-missile destroyers Decatur, Gridley and Howard, all based in San Diego.

A detachment from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 will deploy aboard the carrier.

Also deploying aboard Reagan is Destroyer Squadron 7 and Carrier Air Wing 14, which includes: Strike Fighter Squadrons 22, 25, 113 and 115; Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113; Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 139; Detachment 1 of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron 30; and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4.

Reagan’s crew recently was hailed by Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, during a short visit to San Diego on May 14.

During its 2008 deployment, Reagan and its strike group went to the aid of the Philippines, parts which had been devastated by Typhoon Fengshen, and conducted more than 1,100 combat missions over Afghanistan and maritime operations in the Persian Gulf region. Reagan, commanded by Capt. Kenneth Norton, earned the coveted Battle “E” award for the most battle-ready carrier in the U.S. Pacific Fleet.