View source for Carrier Strike Group 2

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{{Use American English|date=June 2019}}
{{Primary sources|date=September 2022}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Carrier Strike Group 2
| image                         = Carrier Strike Group Two logo.PNG
| caption                       = Carrier Strike Group 2's emblem
| start_date                    = {{start date and age|2004|10|01|df=yes}}
| country                       = {{flagu|United States|name=United States of America}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{Flag|United States Navy}}
| type                          = [[Carrier Strike Group]]
| role                          = Naval air/surface warfare
| command_structure             = [[United States Fleet Forces Command]]
| garrison                      = [[Naval Station Norfolk]], Virginia
| garrison_label                = 
| nickname                      = Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| battles                       = [[War in Afghanistan (2001-14)|War in Afghanistan]]<br />[[Iraq War]]
*[[Operation Steel Curtain]]
* [[Operation Inherent Resolve|War on ISIL]]
* [[Red Sea crisis]]
** [[Operation Prosperity Guardian]]
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| disbanded                     = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = [https://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/csg2/ Official website]
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1                    = Rear Admiral [[Kavon Hakimzadeh]], USN<ref name="Hakimzadeh">{{cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/474112/carrier-strike-group-2-changes-command-red-sea|title=Carrier Strike Group 2 Changes Command in the Red Sea|date=2024-06-16|access-date=2024-06-17|website=DVIDS}}</ref>
| commander1_label              = Commander
| commander2                    = Captain John W. Weidner, USN<ref>{{cite web | title= Captain John w. Weidner, USN | url= http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/CCSG2/Pages/ChiefofStaff.aspx | work= CHIEF OF STAFF CARRIER STRIKE GROUP 2 | publisher= Carrier Strike Group Two | year= 2013 | access-date= 1 March 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110924180828/http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/CCSG2/Pages/ChiefofStaff.aspx | archive-date= 24 September 2011 | url-status= dead | df= dmy-all }}</ref>
| commander2_label              = Chief of Staff
| commander3                    = CMDCM Antonio Perryman, USN<ref>{{cite web | title= CMDCM Antonio Perryman, USN | url= http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/CCSG2/Pages/SENIOR%20ENLISTED%20ADVISOR.aspx | work= SENIOR ENLISTED LEADER CARRIER STRIKE GROUP TWO | publisher= Carrier Strike Group Two | year= 2011 | access-date= 22 March 2012 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130331034817/http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/CCSG2/Pages/SENIOR%20ENLISTED%20ADVISOR.aspx | archive-date= 31 March 2013 | url-status= dead | df= dmy-all }}</ref>
| commander3_label              = Command Master Chief
| notable_commanders            = [[James A. Winnefeld, Jr.]]<br />[[David M. Thomas]]<br />[[Nora W. Tyson]]<br />[[Frederick C. Turner]]
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = 
| identification_symbol_label   = 
| identification_symbol_2       = 
| identification_symbol_2_label = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = [[Boeing EA-18G Growler|EA-18G Growler]]<ref name=Morison2014>{{cite journal |last= Morison  |first= Samuel Loring |author-link= Samuel Loring Morison |date=September 2014 |title= U.S. Battle Force Aviation Changes 2013–14 |journal= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Proceedings]] |volume= 140 |issue= 9 |pages= 48–50 |issn= 0041-798X |url= http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2014-09/us-battle-force-aviation-changes|access-date= 13 September 2012 |quote=Registration required; downloadable PDF file.}}</ref>
| aircraft_fighter              = [[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]]<ref name=Morison2014/>
| aircraft_helicopter           = [[SH-60 Seahawk#MH-60R Seahawk|MH-60R Seahawk]]<ref name=Morison2014/><br />[[SH-60 Seahawk#MH-60S .22Knighthawk.22|MH-60S Knighthawk]]<ref name=Morison2014/>
| aircraft_helicopter_attack    = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo     = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = 
| aircraft_recon                = [[E-2 Hawkeye|E-2C Hawkeye]]<ref name=Morison2014/>
| aircraft_transport            = [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound]]<ref name=Morison2012/>
}}
'''Carrier Strike Group 2''' ('''CSG-2''' or '''COMCARSTRKGRU 2''') is a [[U.S. Navy]] [[carrier strike group]], tracing its history originally to 1931. The aircraft carrier {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|6}} is the strike group's current flagship. As of Aug 2020, other units assigned to Carrier Strike Group 2 included the nine squadrons of [[Carrier Air Wing Three]]; the {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruisers|1}} {{USS|Philippine Sea|CG-58}}; [[USS Monterey (CG-61)|''USS Monterey'' (CG-61)]], [[USS Vella Gulf (CG-72)|USS ''Vella Gulf'' (CG-72)]] and the {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}}s [[USS Mitscher (DDG-57)|USS ''Mitscher'' (DDG-57)]], [[USS Laboon|USS ''Laboon'' (DDG 58)]], [[USS Mahan (DDG-72)|USS ''Mahan'' (DDG-72)]], and [[USS Thomas Hudner|USS ''Thomas Hudner'' (DDG-116)]] from [[Destroyer Squadron 22]].<ref>{{cite web | title= The Ships & Squadrons of the USS ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' Carrier Strike Group | url= http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/cvn77/Pages/ShipsSquadrons.aspx | work= U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) | publisher= [[U.S. Navy]] | year= 2015 | access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref>

The group traces its history to the creation of Carrier Division 2 on 1 April 1931. The group took its current form on 1 October 2004. On 29 July 2010, Rear Admiral [[Nora W. Tyson]] assumed command of the group, becoming the first woman to command a U.S. Navy carrier task group.  The group's 2011 Mediterranean deployment marked the maiden deployment for the carrier [[USS George H.W. Bush|USS ''George H.W. Bush'']] and the [[Arleigh Burke class destroyer|guided-missile destroyer]] {{USS|Truxtun|DDG-103|2}}. The group's units were the first U.S. naval forces to participate in [[Operation Inherent Resolve]], the 2014 U.S.-led multi-lateral air campaign against the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] group.

==Historical background==
On 1 April 1931, Rear Admiral [[Joseph M. Reeves]] took command of Carrier Division 2 (CarDiv 2), becoming the first carrier division commander in the U.S. Navy.  Reeves was also designated as Commander Aircraft [[U.S. Fleet]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Aircraft Carriers: A History of Carrier Aviation and Its Influence on World Events, Volume I: 1909–1945 |author-link=Norman Polmar|last= Polmar |first= Norman |year= 2006 |publisher= Potomac Books |location= Washington, DC |isbn= 978-1-57488-663-4 |page= 56 |url= http://www.potomacbooksinc.com/Books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=69745 |access-date=9 July 2012}}</ref> Carrier Division 2 initially consisted of the U.S. Navy's first true fast aircraft carriers, {{USS|Lexington|CV-2|2}} and {{USS|Saratoga|CV-3|2}}, as well as former minesweeper {{USS|Gannet|AM-41|2}} which acted as an aircraft tender and guardship for the two carriers.<ref>{{cite web |title= Naval Aeronautical Organization – Fiscal Year 1932 |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/nao23-52/fy-1932.pdf |work= Op-38-EMW/VZ-A3-1 (310501) |publisher= [[Naval History & Heritage Command]] |location= Washington Naval Yard |pages= 4–5 |date=1 May 1931 | access-date= 9 July 2011 |quote= Naval Aeronautical Organization is abbreviated as NAO. }}</ref> Under Reeves' leadership, both carriers had previously distinguished themselves in two major naval exercises, the 1929 [[Fleet Problem IX]] and the 1930 [[Fleet Problem X]], demonstrating the potential of aircraft carriers and their embarked air groups in naval offensive operations.<ref>Polmar. ''Aircraft Carriers, Volume 1'', pp. 53–56.</ref> Aircraft carriers from Carrier Division 2 became the first to embark U.S. Marine Corps aviation units when, on 2 November 1931, squadron VS-14M joined the ''Saratoga'' and squadron VS-15M joined the ''Lexington''.<ref>Polmar. ''Aircraft Carriers, Volume 1'', p. 57.</ref>

In 1933, ''Saratoga'' and {{USS|Langley|CV-1|2}} were assigned to Carrier Division 2, which was under the Commander Aircraft, [[Battle Force]], while ''Lexington'' was reassigned to Carrier Division One under Commander Aircraft, [[Scouting Force]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Naval Aeronautical Organization – Fiscal Year 1933 |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/nao23-52/fy-1933.pdf |work= Op-38-ED-u/(SC)-VZ/A-31 |publisher= [[Naval History & Heritage Command]] |location= Washington Naval Yard |pages= 4–5, 6 |date=1 May 1931 | access-date= 11 July 2011 |quote= Naval Aeronautical Organization is abbreviated as NAO. }}</ref> In February 1939, Carrier Division Two, now consisting of ''[[USS Yorktown (CV-5)|Yorktown]]'' and ''[[USS Enterprise (CV-6)|Enterprise]]'', participated in the war game [[Fleet Problem XX]]. The scenario for the exercise called for one fleet to control the sea lanes in the Caribbean against the incursion of a foreign European power while maintaining sufficient naval strength to protect vital American interests in the Pacific.<ref name= Time-fpXX>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,771265,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116085303/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,771265,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 November 2007 |title= Fleet Problem XX|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date= 9 January 1939|access-date=29 February 2008}}</ref><ref name=Time-strong>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,760742,00.html?iid=chix-sphere|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422004549/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,760742,00.html?iid=chix-sphere|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2008|title=Strong Arm|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date= 20 February 1939|access-date=29 February 2008}}</ref> In December 1941, on the eve of the United States' entry into the [[Second World War]], Carrier Division Two was under the command of Vice Admiral [[William Halsey Jr.]], who was also the Commander Aircraft Battle Force in the Pacific Ocean.<ref>Polmar. ''Aircraft Carriers, Volume 1'', p. 144 (Table 8-2).</ref>

During the Second World War, aircraft carriers assigned to Carrier Division Two participated in the [[Doolittle Raid]], the [[Battle of Midway]], the [[Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands]], [[Operation Hailstone]], the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]], and the [[Battle of Leyte Gulf]], as well as the [[Solomon Islands campaign]], the [[Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign]], the [[Western New Guinea campaign|Hollandia and Western New Guinea campaign]], the [[Philippines Campaign (1944–45)|Philippines Campaign]], the [[Mariana and Palau Islands campaign]], the [[Battle of Iwo Jima|Iwo Jima campaign]], and the [[Battle of Okinawa|Okinawan campaign]], as part of the Navy's [[Fast Carrier Task Force]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Air War Pacific Chronology: America's Air War Against Japan in East Asia and the Pacific, 1941–1945 |last= Hammel |first= Eric |author-link= Eric M. Hammel |year= 1998 |publisher= Pacifica Press |location= Pacifica, California |isbn= 0-935553-26-6 |pages= 333–334, 349, 380–381, 397, 400, 406–407, 414, 432, 461, 595–596, 618–619, 627–628 |url= http://www.pacificamilitary.com/books/b-airWarPacific.html |access-date=16 November 2010}}</ref> Rear Admiral [[Frederick C. Sherman]] commanded the division in 1943 while it was operating with the Fast Carrier Task Force.

On 1 August 1955 the division was made up of {{USS|Bennington|CVS-20|6}} (Newport) and {{USS|Lake Champlain|CV-39|6}} (flagship) at [[Naval Station Mayport|Mayport]].<ref>Naval Aeronautical Organization OPNAV NOTICE 05400 for Fiscal Year 1956 dated 1 August 1955</ref> ''Ranger'' sailed as the flagship of [[Rear Admiral]] [[H. H. Caldwell]], Commander, Carrier Division 2, from Hawaii to join the [[Seventh Fleet]] in February 1959. Air operations off [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] were followed by maneuvers with naval units from [[U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay]]. A special weapons warfare exercise and a patrol along the southern seaboard of Japan followed. During this deployment, ''Ranger'' launched more than 7,000 sorties.

After the war, division aircraft carriers were involved in the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] and the [[Vietnam War]]. {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}} flew the flag of Commander Carrier Division 2 in 1963. Rear Admiral Bernard M. Strean, as division commander, led ''Enterprise'', ''Long Beach'', and ''Bainbridge'' around the world in [[Operation Sea Orbit]] from July to October 1964. 'Sea Orbit' was a successful test of the first all-nuclear-powered task force. On 25 September 1965, [[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] [[J. O. Cobb]] broke his flag as Commander, Carrier Division 2, aboard {{USS|America|CV-66|6}}. The division was re-designated as Commander Carrier Group 2 (ComCarGru 2) in 1973.

In 1986, while commanding Carrier Group Two, Rear Admiral Jerry C. Breast commanded the {{USS|Coral Sea|CV-43|2}} carrier battle group and Task Group 60.1 of the [[U.S. Sixth Fleet]] during a series of naval maneuvers code-named [[Action in the Gulf of Sidra (1986)|Attain Document]].  These naval maneuvers were intended to assert the [[freedom of navigation]] in the [[Gulf of Sidra]] as well as to challenge the [[Gulf of Sidra#Cold war period|territorial claims]] of [[Libya]] to that body of water.  Subsequently, the ''Coral Sea'' carrier battle group and the rest of [[Task Force 60]] carried out [[Operation El Dorado Canyon]], a series of punitive air-strikes against Libya in retaliations to the [[1986 Berlin discotheque bombing]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Aircraft Carriers: A History of Carrier Aviation and Its Influence on World Events: Vol. II, 1946–2006 |author-link=Norman Polmar|last= Polmar |first= Norman |year= 2008 |publisher= Potomac Books, Inc. |location= [[Dulles, Virginia]] |isbn= 978-157488-665-8 |pages= 369–374 |url=http://www.potomacbooksinc.com/Books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=69770 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= El Dorado Canyon: Reagan's Undeclared War With Qaddafi |last= Stanik |first= Joseph T. |year= 2003 |publisher= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Press]] |location= [[Annapolis, Maryland]] |isbn= 978-155750-983-3 |pages= [https://archive.org/details/eldoradocanyonre00stan/page/120 120, 123–140, 202–205] |url= https://archive.org/details/eldoradocanyonre00stan/page/120 |url-access= registration }}</ref>

On 15 August 1990, the group staff embarked in {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}} for a no-notification combat deployment in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The battle group deployed for [[Operation Desert Storm]] only five days after notification, even though she had dispersed her air wing throughout the continental United States for training and just off-loaded stores and material in preparation for a routine yard period. Rear Admiral Riley Mixson, Commander, Carrier Group Two, acted as Commander, Battle Force Yankee of [[Naval Forces Central Command]] during the war. Battle Force Yankee included ''Saratoga'' and probably ''John F. Kennedy,'' and operated in the [[Red Sea]].

In the middle of 1992, the U.S. Navy instituted a concept which mandated greater task group integration of naval air and surface warfare assets into a more permanent carrier battle group structure. Instead of routinely changing the cruisers, destroyers, and frigates assigned to each carrier battle group, there was an attempt made to affiliate certain escorts more permanently with the carriers they escorted. Each of the Navy's 12 existing carrier battle groups was planned to consist of an aircraft carrier; an embarked carrier air wing; cruiser, destroyer, and frigate units; and two nuclear-powered attack submarines.<ref>{{cite book |title= The Naval Institute Guide to The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, 15th ed. |author-link=Norman Polmar|last= Polmar |first= Norman |year= 1993 |publisher= [[U.S. Naval Institute]] Press |location= Annapolis, Maryland |isbn= 1-55750-675-2 |pages= 32, 36 (Table 6-5), 376 }}</ref> For details regarding this re-alignments as it pertained to Carrier Group Two, see the chart below.<ref name=PolmarUSFleet1993>{{cite book |title= The Naval Institute Guide to The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, 15th ed. |author-link=Norman Polmar|last= Polmar |first= Norman |year= 1993 |publisher= [[U.S. Naval Institute]] Press |location= [[Annapolis, Maryland]] |isbn= 1-55750-675-2 |pages= 36 (Table 6-5), 375, 377–381, 383, 386 }}</ref>

;Carrier Group Two, late 1992<ref name=PolmarUSFleet1993/>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! colspan="1" width="20%" align="center" | Cruisers/Submarines
! colspan="1" width="0%" align="center" | 
! colspan="2" width="35%" align="center" | [[Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic|Destroyer Squadron 20]]
! colspan="1" width="0%" align="center" | 
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[Carrier Air Wing 3]] squadrons embarked aboard {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67}}
|-
| {{USS|Cape St. George|CG-71}}
|
| {{USS|O'Bannon|DD-987}}
| {{USS|Halyburton|FFG-40}}
|
| [[VF-32|Fighter Squadron 32]]:  [[F-14B]]
| [[VAW-126|Airborne Early Warning Sqd. 126]]:  [[E-2C]]
|-
| {{USS|Gettysburg|CG-64}}
|
| {{USS|John Rodgers|DD-983}}
| {{USS|Underwood|FFG-36}}
|
| [[VF-14|Fighter Squadron 14]]:  F-14B
| Sea Control Squadron 38: [[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3A]]
|-
| {{USS|Leyte Gulf|CG-55}}
|
| {{USS|Caron|DD-970}}
| {{USS|Stark|FFG-31}}
|
| [[VFA-105|Strike Fighter Squadron 105]]:  [[F/A-18C]]
| [[HS-7|Helicopter Anti-Submarine Sqd. 7]]:  [[Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King|SH-3H]]
|-
| {{USS|Wainwright|CG-28}}
| 
| ——
| {{USS|McInerney|FFG-8}}
|
| [[VFA-37|Strike Fighter Squadron 37]]:  F/A-18C
| ——
|-
| {{USS|Albuquerque|SSN-706}}
|
| ——
| ——
|
| [[Second VA-75 (U.S. Navy)|Attack Squadron 75]]:  [[A-6E]], [[KA-6 Intruder#KA-6D|KA-6D]]
| ——
|-
| {{USS|Seahorse|SSN-669}}
|
| ——
| ——
|
| [[VAQ-130|Airborne Early Warning Sqd. 130]]:  [[EA-6B]]
| ——
|-
|}
 
During its Mediterranean deployments, the ''Kennedy'' battle group flew large numbers of [[Operation Deny Flight]] no-fly zone missions over [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]].  The battle group also saw service with the [[U.S. Fifth Fleet]] in support [[Operation Southern Watch]], the enforcement of a no-fly zone over southern Iraq.  Commander Carrier Group Two also served as Commander Joint Task Force 120 during [[Operation Uphold Democracy]], the 1994–1995 intervention designed to remove the military regime in Haiti installed by the [[1991 Haitian coup d'état]]. It appears that ''Kennedy'' transferred to another carrier group in 1995, as the announced 31 August 1995, listing of Carrier Group Two's composition included {{USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74}} and {{USS|San Jacinto|CG-56}}. In addition, {{USS|Monterey|CG-61}} was intended to join the group in 1996–97.<ref>[[All Hands]], 'Fleet's structure reorganized,' September 1995, p.2-3</ref> In September 1995, {{USS|Hue City|CG-66}} joined Carrier Group Two.<ref>USS Hue City Command History for 2001, including Summary of Ship Activities since 1989, pg 12 of 17</ref> ''Hue City'' was transferred from Carrier Group 2 to the [[Western Hemisphere Group]] on 1 August 1998.

The group deployed in 2000–01 led by ''Harry S. Truman'' (CVN-75).

{{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|2}} was reassigned to the group effective 1 February 2004, and the carrier underwent its Docked Planned Incremental Availability overhaul at the [[Newport Naval Yard]] in [[Virginia]] between 10 August to 10 December 2004.<ref name=TRCommandHistory2004>{{cite journal|author= Captain John L. Green, USN |title= ''Theodore Roosevelt'' Command History 2004 Chronology and Narrative |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/t/cvn-71/2004.pdf |publisher= [[Naval History & Heritage Command]] |location= Washington Navy Yard |page= 3 |date=14 March 2005 |access-date=7 March 2011 }}</ref>

==Command structure==
Commander Carrier Strike Group 2 (COMCARSTRKGRU 2 or CCSG 2) is responsible for unit-level training, integrated training, and material readiness for the group's ships and aviation squadrons.  When not deployed, the strike group is part of the [[U.S. Fleet Forces Command]], and its commander reports to Commander, [[United States Second Fleet|U.S. SECOND Fleet]].  When deployed overseas, the group comes under command of the numbered fleet (Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, or Seventh) in whose area it is operating, and will have a task force or task group designator, for example, Task Group 50 in the Fifth Fleet area.<ref>{{cite book |title= The Naval Institute Guide to The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, 18th ed. |last= Polmar |first= Norman |year= 2005 |publisher= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Press]] |location= Annapolis, Maryland |isbn= 1-59114-685-2 |pages= [https://archive.org/details/navalinstitutegu0018polm/page/38 38] |url= https://archive.org/details/navalinstitutegu0018polm/page/38 }}</ref>

Group commanders since 2004 have included:
{|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral (lower half) [[Tom Kilcline Jr.|Thomas J. Kilcline, Jr.]] || &nbsp;
| named 16 June 2003,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviationweek.com/carrier-group-two-0|title=Carrier Group Two &#124; Aviation Week Network|website=aviationweek.com}}</ref> in post May 2004, nominated to be promoted to rear admiral. 
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[James A. Winnefeld, Jr.]] || &nbsp;
| (July 2004 – June 2006)<ref>{{cite web | title= Flag Officer Assignment | url= http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=7559 | work= News Release # 686-04 | publisher= U.S. Department of Defense | date=19 July 2004 | access-date=3 September 2011}}</ref><ref name=NNS060607-16>{{cite web | author= Journalist Daniel Bristol | title= Vitale Assumes Command of TRCSG | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24046 | work= NNS060607-16 | publisher= USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs | date=7 June 2006 | access-date=3 September 2011}}</ref>
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral Michael C. Vitale || &nbsp;
| (June 2006 – September 2007)<ref name=NNS060607-16/><ref name=USNAF>{{cite web | title= Norfolk Carrier Strike Group 2 Gets A New Commander | url= https://www.usna.com/SSLPage.aspx?RSS=alumni&pid=3303 | publisher= U.S. Naval Academy Foundation | date=18 September 2007 | access-date=3 September 2011}}</ref>
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[Frank Craig Pandolfe]] || &nbsp;
| (September 2007 – July 2009)<ref name=USNAF/><ref>{{cite web|title=Flag Officer Assignment |url=http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12686 |work=News Release # 346-09 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |date=19 May 2009 |access-date=3 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530055659/http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12686 |archive-date=30 May 2011  }}</ref>
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[David M. Thomas]] || &nbsp;
| (July 2009 – July 2010)<ref>{{cite web|title=Flag Officer Assignment |url=http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12548 |work=News Release # 158-09 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |date=11 March 2009 |access-date=3 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530055405/http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12548 |archive-date=30 May 2011  }}</ref>
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Captain Jeffrey A. Hesterman  || &nbsp;
| (July 2010)<ref name=NoraTyson2>{{cite web | title= Carrier Strike Group 2 Welcomes New Commander | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=54999 | work= NNS100729-27 | publisher= U.S. Navy | date=29 July 2010 | access-date=26 August 2010}}</ref>
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[Nora W. Tyson]]|| &nbsp;
| (July 2010 – January 2012)<ref name=NoraTyson2/><ref name=Nosal>{{cite web|title=Rear Admiral Gregory M. Nosal |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/CCSG2/Pages/RDML%20Nosal.aspx |work=Command Info: Commander Carrier Strike Group Two |publisher=Carrier Strike Group Two |year=2012 |access-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216201353/http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/CCSG2/Pages/RDML%20Nosal.aspx |archive-date=16 February 2012  }}</ref>
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral Gregory M. Nosal|| &nbsp;
| (January 2012 – March 2013)<ref name=Nosal/><ref name=NNS130301-19>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samantha Thorpe, USN | title= Carrier Strike Group 2 Holds Change of Command | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=72444 | work= NNS130301-19 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 1 March 2013| access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[John C. Aquilino]] || &nbsp;
| (March 2013 – February 2014)<ref name=NNS130301-19/><ref name=NNS140220-09/>
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[DeWolfe Miller III (United States Navy)|DeWolfe H. Miller III]] || &nbsp;
| (February 2014 – August 2015)<ref name=NNS140220-09>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Abe McNatt, USN | title= Carrier Strike Group 2 Changes Hands | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79171 | work=NNS140220-09 |publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 15 February 2014 | access-date=17 February 2014}}</ref><ref name=NNS150807-16/>
|-
| &nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[Brian E. Luther]] || &nbsp;
| (August 2015 – November 2016)<ref name="NNS150807-16">{{cite web | title= Carrier Strike Group 2 Holds Change of Command | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79171 | work=NNS150807-16 |publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 7 August 2015 | access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="NNS161118-18"/>
|-
|&nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral Kenneth R. Whitesell
|
|(November 2016 – October 2017)<ref name="NNS161118-18">{{cite web | title= Carrier Strike Group 2 Welcomes New Commander | url= https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=97764 | work=NNS161118-18 |publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 18 November 2016 | access-date=30 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="NNS171006-01"/>
|-
|&nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[Stephen C. Evans]]
|
|(October 2017 – August 2019)<ref name="NNS171006-01">{{cite web | title= Carrier Strike Group 2 Holds Change of Command   | url= https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=102752 | work=NNS171006-01 |publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 6 October 2017 | access-date=30 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="NNS190829-07"/>
|-
|&nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[Sara A. Joyner]]
|
|(August 2019 – April 2020)<ref name="DVIDS200430"/><ref name="NNS190829-07">{{cite web | title= CSG-2 Conducts Change of Command | url= https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=110718 | work=NNS190829-07 |publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 29 August 2019 | access-date=30 August 2019}}</ref>
|-
|&nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman Jr.
|
|(April 2020 – December 2020)<ref name="DVIDS200430">{{cite web | title= Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 Changes Command | url= https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6194741/carrier-strike-group-csg-2-changes-command | publisher= Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | date= 30 April 2020 | access-date=2 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|&nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral Scott Robertson
|
|(December 2020 – June 2022)<ref name="DVIDS384137">{{cite web | title= Carrier strike Group Two Holds Change of Command Aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower | url= https://www.dvidshub.net/news/384137/carrier-strike-group-two-holds-change-command-aboard-uss-dwight-d-eisenhower | publisher= Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | date= 2 October 2020 | access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref>
|-
|&nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral Marc J. Miguez
|
|(June 2022 – June 2024)<ref>{{cite web | title= Carrier Strike Group Two Change of Command | url= https://www.dvidshub.net/news/423229/carrier-strike-group-two-change-command | publisher= Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | date= 16 June 2022 | access-date=4 July 2022}}</ref>
|-
|&nbsp;&nbsp;• Rear Admiral [[Kavon Hakimzadeh]]
|
|(June 2024 – Present)<ref name="Hakimzadeh">{{cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/474112/carrier-strike-group-2-changes-command-red-sea|title=Carrier Strike Group 2 Changes Command in the Red Sea|date=2024-06-16|access-date=2024-06-17|website=DVIDS}}</ref>
|}

==Operational history==
On 1 October 2004, Carrier Group 2 was re-designated as Carrier Strike Group 2.  ''Theodore Roosevelt'' underwent sea trials 11–15 December 2004, and the carrier was officially delivered back to the Navy on 17 December 2004.<ref name=TRCommandHistory2004/> Joint Task Force Exercise 05-2 (JTFEX 05-2, or Operation Brewing Storm 2005) was held between 14–22 July 2005. It included Carrier Strike Group 2, [[Carrier Strike Group Ten]], the Spanish frigate [[Álvaro de Bazán (F101)|''Álvaro de Bazán'']], and the Peruvian submarine [[BAP Antofagasta (SS-32)|''Antofagasta'']].<ref name=Brewing>{{Cite web| title= Operation Brewing Storm Underway Off Atlantic Coast | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=19243 | work= NNS050720-01 | publisher= U.S. Navy | date= 20 July 2005 | access-date=23 August 2010}}</ref> The group received its Combat Operations Efficiency certification following the completion of its [[Composite Training Unit Exercise]] on 17 July 2005.<ref>{{citation | author= Journalist 3rd Class John M. Cokos, USN | title= ''TR'' Earns Combat Operations Efficiency Certification | work= NNS050727-06 | publisher= USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs | date= 25 July 2007 }}</ref>
[[File:US Navy 051203-N-4154B-006 The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) leads a formation through the waters of the Persian Gulf with the Spanish Navy frigate Alvaro de Bazan (F101) and the guided missile d.jpg|thumb|right|''TR'' in the Persian Gulf (3 December 2005)]]

===2005–2006 deployment===
The strike group departed from Norfolk on 1 September 2005 under the command of Rear Admiral [[James A. Winnefeld, Jr.|James A. Winnefeld]]. On 6 October 2005, the group began air operations over Iraq, with fighter squadrons [[VF-213]] and [[VF-31]], along with the strike fighter squadrons [[VFA-87]] and [[VFA-15]], attacking insurgent targets.<ref name=NNS051011-02>{{cite web|title=TR CSG Offers OIF Air Support |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=20517 |work=NNS051011-02 |publisher=U.S. Navy |date=11 November 2005 |access-date=27 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907150043/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=20517 |archive-date= 7 September 2007 }}</ref> Electronic Attack Squadron 141 (VAQ-141) operated from [[Al Asad]], Iraq, from 24 September to 6 October 2005, flying 37 combat sorties.  VAW-124, VS-24, and HS-3 aircraft flew maritime security missions. Throughout the second week of November aircraft supported [[Operation Steel Curtain]] flying five consecutive days of close air support for troops in Iraq.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} The deployment was the final one for the F-14 Tomcat.<ref name=NNS051011-02/><ref name=NNS060729-02>{{cite web|author=Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark A. Catalano, USN |title=Tomcat Chapter Draws to a Close |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24913 |work=NNS060729-02 |publisher=U.S. Navy |date=29 July 2006 |access-date=27 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831222728/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24913 |archive-date=31 August 2009 }}</ref> It was also the final deployment of the Lockheed S-3 Viking ASW aircraft of squadron VS-24.<ref name=NNS060729-02/> The group transited the Suez Canal on 15 February 2006. It returned to Norfolk on 11 March 2006.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
;2005–2006 deployment force composition
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! colspan="1" width="20%" align="center" | Group Warships
! colspan="1" width="0%" align="center" |
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[Carrier Air Wing Eight]] (CVW-8) squadrons embarked aboard flagship {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71}}
|-
| {{USS|San Jacinto|CG-56}}
|
| [[VF-213|Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213):]] 10 [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14D]]
| Sea Control Squadron 24 (VS-24):  8 [[Lockheed S-3|S-3]]
|-
| {{USS|Oscar Austin|DDG-79}}
|
| [[VF-31|Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31):]] 12 F-14D Tomcat
| [[HSC-9|Helicopter Squadron 3 (HS-3):]] 2 [[HH-60]]H & 4 SH-60F
|-
| {{USS|Donald Cook|DDG-75}}
|
| [[VFA-87|Strike Fighter Squadron 87 (VFA-87):]] 10 [[FA-18|F/A-18C(N)]]
|[[VRC-40|Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40), Det. 1:]] 2 [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound|C-2A]]
|-
| [[Spanish frigate Álvaro de Bazán (F101)|SPS ''Álvaro de Bazán'' (F101)]]
|
| [[VFA-15|Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15):]] 12 F/A-18C(N) Hornet
| ——
|-
| {{USNS|Mount Baker|T-AE-34}}
|
| [[VAQ-141|Electronic Attack Squadron 141 (VAQ-141)]]:  4 [[EA-6B]]
| ——
|-
| {{USNS|Kanawha|T-AO-196}}
|
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW-124):  4 [[E-2 Hawkeye|E-2C 2000 NP]]
| ——
|-
|}
;2005–2006 deployment exercises and port visits
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Number
! colspan="4" align="center" | Regional Exercises
! colspan="2" align="center" | Port Visits
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Notes
|-
! align="center" | ''Duration''
! align="center" | ''U.S. Force''
! align="center" | ''Bilateral/Multilateral Partner(s)''
! align="center" | ''Operating Area''
! align="center" | ''Location''
! align="center" | ''Dates''
|-
! 1st:
| ——
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| ——
| ——
| [[Palma de Mallorca]], Spain
| 13–17 Sep 2005
|
|-
! 2nd:
| ——
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| ——
| ——
| [[Naples]], Italy
| 19–23 Sep 2005
|
|-
! 3rd:
| ——
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| ——
| ——
| [[Jebel Ali|Jebel Ali, UAE]]
| 28 December 2005
|
|-
! 4th:
| ——
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| ——
| ——
| Jebel Ali, UAE
| 22 January 2006
|
|-
! 5th:
| ——
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| ——
| ——
| [[Souda Bay|Souda Bay, Crete]]
| 22 February 2006
|
|-
|}

===Operation Bold Step 2006===
[[File:US Navy 090311-N-4774B-044 The aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), background, joins a multinational battle group formation.jpg|thumb|right|Aman 2009]]
Codenamed Operation Bold Step, Joint Task Force Exercise 06-2 (JTFEX 06-2) was held off the U.S. eastern coast between 21–31 July 2006 under the overall command of Vice Admiral [[Mark P. Fitzgerald]], the commander of the [[U.S. Second Fleet]]. Carrier Strike Group 2, [[Carrier Strike Group 8]], and the {{USS|Bataan|LHD-5|6}} [[Expeditionary Strike Group]] were the major U.S. naval formations participating in Operation Bold Step which served as a major pre-deployment training exercise.  Other allied naval units that participated in Operation Bold Step included the French nuclear-powered submarine [[French submarine Émeraude (S604)|''Émeraude'']] and the Colombian diesel-electric submarine [[Type 209 submarine|''Tayrona'']].<ref>{{cite web | title= JTFEX 06-2 'Operation Bold Step' Begins off East Coast | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=24755 | work= NNS060721-08 | publisher= Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs | date=21 July 2006 | access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>

===2008–2009 deployment===
On 8 September 2008, the strike group departed for a regularly scheduled deployment under the command of Rear Admiral Frank Craig Pandolfe.<ref name=NNS080926-19>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Monique Hilley, USN | title= USS ''Theodore Roosevelt'' Deploys in Support of Maritime Security Operations | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39754 | date=2 September 2008 | access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> During its 2008 deployment, group aircraft flew more than 3,100 sorties into Afghanistan and dropped {{convert|59500|lb|t|sigfig=2}} of ordnance while providing vital close air support to coalition forces operating as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} On 9 October 2008, ''Theodore Roosevelt'' and the guided missile cruiser {{USS|Monterey|CG-61|2}} participated in a one-day theater security cooperation exercise with three [[South African Navy|South African warships]] and one [[French Navy]] warship in the Indian Ocean following a 3-day port visit to [[Cape Town]], the first by a U.S. aircraft carrier since 1967.<ref name=NNS081010-13>{{cite web | author= Lt. j.g. Michael P. Quisao, USN | title= ''Theodore Roosevelt'' Carrier Strike Group Completes Multinational Exercise | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40261 | work= NNS081010-13 | publisher= USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs | date=10 October 2010 | access-date=20 April 2009}}</ref><ref name=NNS081004-18>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW/SW) Monique K. Hilley. USN | title= Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Group Arrives in Cape Town, South Africa | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40178 | work= NNS081004-18 | publisher= USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Public Affairs | date= 4 November 2008 | access-date=20 April 2009}}</ref>

Between 5–14 March 2009, ''Theodore Roosevelt'', the cruiser {{USS|Lake Champlain|CG-57|2}}, and the Coast Guard cutter {{USCGC|Boutwell|WHEC-719|2}} participated in the international naval exercise ''Aman 2009'' off the coast of Pakistan (''pictured'').  The exercise was sponsored by the [[Pakistani Navy]], and it included surface exercises, air-defense training, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) exercises, and participation in foreign officer exchanges.  ''Aman 2009''  include participants from Australia, Bangladesh, China, France, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Turkey, United States, and the United Kingdom.  Forty-six observers from naval forces of 27 countries monitored the exercise.<ref name=NNS090309-05>{{cite web| title= U.S. Navy, Coast Guard Ships Participate in Exercise Aman 2009  | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=43263 | work= NNS090309-05 | publisher= Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs | date=9 March 2009 | access-date=20 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Aman-2009 takes Pakistan into naval diplomacy | url= http://www.defence.pk/forums/naval-forces/22829-aman-2009-takes-pakistan-into-naval-diplomacy-era.html | publisher= [[Pakistani Armed Forces]] | date=5 March 2009 | access-date=20 July 2011}}</ref>
;2008–2009 deployment force composition<ref name=NNS080926-19/><ref name=MorisonCVW8-2008>{{cite journal |last= Morison  |first= Samuel Loring |author-link= Samuel Loring Morison |date=May 2009 |title= U.S. Naval Battle Force Changes 1 January 2008–31 December 2008: Aircraft Carrier Air Wing Assignments and Composition as of 17 Feb 2009 |journal= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Proceedings]] |volume= 135 |issue= 5 |pages= 118 |issn= 0041-798X |url= http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2009-05 |access-date=26 August 2010 |quote=Registration required.}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! colspan="1" width="20%" align="center" | Group Warships
! colspan="1" width="0%" align="center" |
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[Carrier Air Wing Eight]] (CVW-8) squadrons embarked aboard flagship {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71}}
|-
| {{USS|Monterey|CG-61}}
|
| Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213):  12 [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F]]
| Helicopter Squadron 3 (HS-3):  2 HH-60H & 4 SH-60F
|-
| {{USS|Nitze|DDG-94}}
|
| Strike Fighter Squadron 87 (VFA-87):  10 F/A-18A+
| Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40), Det. 1:  2 C-2A
|-
| {{USS|Mason|DDG-87}}
|
| Strike Fighter Squadron 31 (VFA-31):  12 F/A-18E
| ——
|-
| {{USS|The Sullivans|DDG-68}}
|
| Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15):  10 F/A-18C(N)
| ——
|-
| {{USS|Springfield|SSN-761}}
|
| Electronic Attack Squadron 141 (VAQ-141):  4 [[EA-6B]]
| ——
|-
| {{USNS|Supply|T-AOE-6}}
|
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW-124):  4 E-2C
| ——
|-
|}
;2008–2009 Deployment exercises and port visits
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Number
! colspan="4" align="center" | Regional Exercises
! colspan="2" align="center" | Port Visits
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Notes
|-
! align="center" | ''Duration''
! align="center" | ''U.S. Force''
! align="center" | ''Bilateral/Multilateral Partner(s)''
! align="center" | ''Operating Area''
! align="center" | ''Location''
! align="center" | ''Dates''
|-
! 1st:
| 10 October 2008
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| [[South African Navy]] frigate [[SAS Isandlwana (F146)|SAS ''Isandlwana'' (F146)]], oiler [[SAS Drakensberg (A301)|SAS ''Drakensberg'' (A301)]], patrol boat SAS ''Isaac Dyobia'' (P1565), and the [[French Navy]] frigate [[French frigate Floréal (F730)|''Floreal'' (F730)]].
| Indian Ocean
| [[Cape Town|Cape Town, South Africa]]
| 4–7 Oct 2008
|<ref name=NNS081010-13/><ref name=NNS081004-18/>
|-
! 2nd:
| ——
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| ——
| ——
| [[Jebel Ali|Jebel Ali, UAE]]
| 29 November 2008
|
|-
! 3rd:
| ——
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| ——
| ——
| Jebel Ali, UAE
| 29 January 2009
|
|-
! 4th:
| 5–14 Mar 2009
| ''Theodore Roosevelt'', {{USS|Lake Champlain|CG-57|2}}, {{USCGC|Boutwell|WHEC-719|2}}
| Aman 2009
| North Arabian Sea
| [[Portsmouth]], England
| 4 April 2009
|<ref name=NNS090309-05/><ref name=NNS090409-26>{{cite web| author=  Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joey Morgon, USN | title= ''Theodore Roosevelt'', ''The Sullivans'' Visit to England Strengthens Ties | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=44183 | work= NNS090409-26 | publisher= USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs | date=9 April 2009 | access-date=11 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=  Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joey Morgon, USN | title= ''Theodore Roosevelt'', ''The Sullivans'' Visit to England Strengthens Ties | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=44183 | work= NNS090409-26| publisher= USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs | date=9 April 2009 | access-date=11 November 2010}}</ref>
|-
|}

===2010 operations===
In early 2010, more than 172 sailors from Carrier Strike Group Two took part in [[Operation Unified Response]], the relief effort for [[2010 Haiti earthquake|earthquaked-ravaged Haiti]].  Rear Admiral [[David M. Thomas]] and his command staff managed the movement of U.S. food, water, medical supplies and relief personnel to Haiti from [[Naval Station Guantanamo Bay]], Cuba, and ships operating off the coast.  Thomas assumed command of Task Force 41, the U.S. Navy's sea-based element supporting [[Joint Task Force Haiti]], on 1 February 2010, after {{USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70|2}}'s [[Carrier Strike Group One]] departed the area.  The group staff alternated between being embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship {{USS|Bataan|LHD-5|2}} and living in tents outside of the U.S. Embassy in [[Port-au-Prince]] until late March. Most of the strike group staff returned to [[Naval Station Norfolk]] by 25 March 2010 after a 70-day tour of duty, with Rear Admiral Thomas returning on 1 April 2010.<ref>{{cite web| title= Carrier Strike Group making a difference in Haiti | url= http://www.southcom.mil/AppsSC/news.php?storyId=2157 | publisher= [[U.S. Southern Command]] | date=8 February 2010 | access-date=26 August 2010}}</ref>

===2011 deployment===
{{see also|Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2011}}
[[File:110813-N-XQ375-361.jpg|thumb|right|Gulf of Aden (13 August 2011)]]
[[File:US Navy 110520-N-VQ827-199 NATO ships are underway in formation during the British navy-sponsored joint exercise Saxon Warrior 11.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Saxon Warrior '11 (20 May 2011)]]
The group departed from [[Naval Station Mayport]], Florida, for its Joint Task Force Exercise pre-deployment training exercise on 14 February 2011 prior to its deployment.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua K. Horton, USN | title= USS ''GHW Bush'' Departs Mayport | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=58620 | work= NNS110216-18 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs  | date=16 February 2011 | access-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> The exercise was supported by personnel from [[Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO]] (STRIKFORNATO), with representatives from Canada, Denmark, Greece, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  The exercise focused on increasing allied interoperability during major combat operations.<ref name=NNS110218-18>{{cite web | author= Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Mary Popejoy, USN | title= STRIKFORNATO Supports Bush Strike Group During JTF Exercise | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=58685 | work= NNS110218-18 | publisher= Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs | date=18 February 2011 | access-date=3 March 2011}}</ref> STRIKFORNATO's interest in JTFEX training cycle dates back to 2008, and this is the first time that STRIKFORNATO had participated as a component commander in a carrier strike group certification.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Michael Starkey, USN | title= STRIKEFORNATO Eyes Future Role in JTFEX | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=38734 | work= NNS080727-05 | date=27 July 2008 | access-date=8 March 2011}}</ref>

During its 2011 deployment, the group's aircraft completed nearly 12,000 sorties, made over 9,000 arrested landings, and logged almost 31,000 flight hours.  This included 2,216 combat sorties supporting U.S. forces in [[Iraq War#2010: US drawdown and Operation New Dawn|Iraq]] and [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]].  Over 20 tons of ordnance were delivered in support of coalition ground forces, consisting of [[laser-guided bomb]]s, [[Joint Direct Attack Munition|GPS munitions]], and [[20 mm caliber|20-mm ammunition]].  [[Carrier Air Wing Eight]] also participated in joint air operations with the [[Royal Jordanian Air Force]] and the [[Royal Saudi Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web | title= Carrier Air Wing Eight returns home | url= http://www.wavy.com/dpp/military/carrier-air-wing-eight-to-return-home | work= News – Military | publisher= [[WAVY-TV]] | date= 7 December 2011 | access-date= 8 December 2011 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20120918232655/http://www.wavy.com/dpp/military/carrier-air-wing-eight-to-return-home | archive-date= 18 September 2012 | url-status= dead | df= dmy-all }}</ref> After departing [[Djibouti]] on 1 July 2011, {{USS|Anzio|CG-68|2}} conducted counter-piracy and maritime security operations as a unit of [[Combined Task Force 151]] before paying a goodwill visit to [[Victoria, Seychelles]] on 18 August 2011. On 13 August 2011, while with [[Combined Task Force 150]] operating in the [[Gulf of Aden]], the destroyer ''Mitscher'' provided assistance to the Sri Lankan cargo vessel ''Al Habib'' which was experiencing engineering problems and running low on water.  ''Mitscher''{{'}}s boarding party transported supplies to the ''Al Habib'' via [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]] (''pictured'').{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Also during this deployment, the group participated in: Exercise Saxon Warrior '11, an eight-day [[NATO]] military exercise in the [[Western Approaches]].  Saxon Warrior '11 included naval forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and Spain under the overall direction of [[Flag Officer Sea Training (United Kingdom)|Flag Officer Sea Training]].<ref name=NNS110521-06>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Walter, USN | title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Strike Group Participates in Saxon Warrior | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60543 | work= NNS110521-06 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Public Affairs | date=21 May 2011 | access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref><ref name=NavyNews>{{cite web|title=George Bush bound for Portsmouth after war games with Royal Navy |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1195-george-bush-bound-for-portsmouth-after-war-games-with-royal-navy.aspx |work=News |date=24 May 2011 |access-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626040859/http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1195-george-bush-bound-for-portsmouth-after-war-games-with-royal-navy.aspx |archive-date=26 June 2012  }}</ref> As part of Saxon Warrior '11, on 21 May 2011, the group's destroyers ''Truxtun'' and ''Mitscher'' joined the U.S. replenishment tanker {{USNS|Leroy Grumman|T-AO-195|2}} and the Spanish frigate [[Spanish frigate Almirante Juan de Borbón (F102)|''Almirante Juan de Borbón'']] in conducting a transit exercise, with the British destroyer {{HMS|Gloucester|D96|2}} and frigate {{HMS|Westminster|F237|2}} acting as hostile forces during this exercise.<ref>{{cite web| author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven B. King, USN | title= USS ''Mitscher'', ''Truxtun'' Participate in Coalition Strait Transit Exercise | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60552 | work= NNS110523-02 | publisher= USS Mitscher (DDG-57) Public Affairs | date=23 May 2011 | access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> Also, the guided-missile cruiser ''Gettysburg'' and the British destroyer {{HMS|Dauntless|D33|2}} conducted joint air defense exercises (''pictured'').<ref>{{cite web|author=Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Betsy Lynn Knapper, USN |title=''Gettysburg'' Participates in Saxon Warrior |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/print.asp?story_id=60577&VIRIN=101290&imagetype=1&page=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015135054/http://www.navy.mil/search/print.asp?story_id=60577&VIRIN=101290&imagetype=1&page=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 October 2012 |work=NNS110524-12 |publisher=USS Gettysburg Public Affairs |date=24 May 2011 |access-date=24 May 2011 }}</ref>

On 8 December 2011, ''Gettysburg'' returned to [[Naval Station Mayport]], Florida, and was greeted by Vice President [[Joe Biden]].<ref>{{cite web | author= Elaine Sanchez | title= Biden Welcomes Sailors Home From Deployment | url= http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66403 | work= [[American Forces Press Service]] | publisher= [[U.S. Department of Defense]] | date=8 December 2011 | access-date=13 December 2011}}</ref> On 10 December 2011, ''George H.W. Bush'', ''Anzio'', ''Mitscher'', ''Truxtun'' returned to [[Naval Station Norfolk]], Virginia, completing the first overseas deployment for the ''Bush'' and ''Truxtun''.<ref>{{cite web | title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' Returns from First Deployment | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=64289 | work=  NNS111210-07 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=10 December 2011 | access-date=12 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian M. Brooks, USN | title= USS ''Anzio'' Returns Home from Deployment | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=64311| work= NNS111210-04 | publisher= USS Anzio Public Affairs | date=10 December 2011 | access-date=13 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven B. King, USN | title= USS ''Mitscher'' Returns to Homeport | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=64310 | work= NNS111210-03 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=10 December 2011 | access-date=13 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Kate Wiltrout | title= Carrier Bush, strike group to return Saturday | url= http://hamptonroads.com/2011/12/carrier-bush-strike-group-return-saturday | series= Home – Military |work=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] | date=6 December 2011 | access-date=13 December 2011}}</ref>

During 2011, the carrier ''George H.W. Bush'' and Carrier Air Wing Eight logged more than 250 days underway, 30,000 flight hours, and 14,000 sorties launched, which included 11,000 catapults shot, 15,000 aircraft recoveries, and no operational mishaps.  The ''Bush'' also received the [[Battenberg Cup]], [[Battle Effectiveness Award]], and the [[Flatley Award]] for 2011.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Daughton, USN | title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' Receives Fleet's Top Honors | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=67232 | work= NNS120517-20 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=17 May 2012 | access-date=1 August 2012}}</ref>

;2011 deployment force composition<ref name=Morison2012>{{cite journal |last= Morison  |first= Samuel Loring |author-link= Samuel Loring Morison |date=May 2012 |title= U.S. Naval Battle Force Changes 1 January 2011–31 December 2011: Aircraft Carrier Air Wing Assignments and Composition as of 2 April 2012 |journal= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Proceedings]] |volume= 138 |issue= 5 |pages= 112 |issn= 0041-798X |url= http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2012-05 |access-date= 11 May 2012 |quote=Registration required.}}</ref><ref name=NNS110511-07>{{cite web | title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' Departs for Maiden Deployment | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60273 | work= NNS110511-07 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=11 May 2011 | access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref><ref name=Morison2011>{{cite journal|last= Morison  |first= Samuel Loring |author-link= Samuel Loring Morison |date=May 2011 |title= U.S. Naval Battle Force Changes 1 January 2010–31 December 2010: Aircraft Carrier Air Wing Assignments and Composition as of 1 March 2011 |journal= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Proceedings]] |volume= 137 |issue= 5 |pages= 118 |issn= 0041-798X |url= http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2011-05 |access-date=9 May 2011 |quote=Registration required.}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! colspan="1" width="20%" align="center" | Group Warships
! colspan="1" width="0%" align="center" |
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[Carrier Air Wing Eight]] (CVW-8) squadrons embarked aboard flagship {{USS|George H.W. Bush|CVN-77}}
|-
| {{USS|Anzio|CG-68}}
|
| [[VFA-213|Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213):]] 12 [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F]]
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 (VAW-124):  4 [[E-2 Hawkeye|E-2C]]
|-
| {{USS|Gettysburg|CG-64}}
|
| [[VFA-87|Strike Fighter Squadron 87 (VFA-87):]] 10 [[FA-18|F/A-18A+]]
| Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Squadron 9 (HSC-9):  7 [[MH-60S]]
|-
| {{USS|Truxtun|DDG-103}}
|
| [[VFA-31|Strike Fighter Squadron 31 (VFA-31):]] 12 F/A-18E
| Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70 (HMS-70):  11 [[MH-60R]]
|-
| {{USS|Mitscher|DDG-57}}
|
| [[VFA-15|Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15):]] 10 F/A-18C
| [[VRC-40|Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40), Det.5:]] 2 [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound|C-2A]]
|-
| ——
|
| [[VAQ-141|Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron 141 (VAQ-141):]] 4–6 [[Boeing EA-18G Growler|EA-18G]]
| ——
|-
|}
;2011 deployment exercises and port visits
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Number
! colspan="4" align="center" | Regional Exercises
! colspan="2" align="center" | Port Visits
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Notes
|-
! align="center" | ''Duration''
! align="center" | ''U.S. Force''
! align="center" | ''Bilateral/Multilateral Partner(s)''
! align="center" | ''Operating Area''
! align="center" | ''Location''
! align="center" | ''Dates''
|-
! 1st:
| 19–26 May 2011
| Carrier Strike Group Two
| Saxon Warrior '11: [[NATO]]
| [[Western Approaches]]
| [[Portsmouth|Portsmouth, UK]]
| 27 May 2011
|<ref name=NNS110521-06/><ref name=NavyNews/>
|-
! 2nd:
| ——
| ''George H.W. Bush''
| ''Almirante Juan de Borbón''
| ——
| [[Cartagena, Spain]]
| 6–9 Jun 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Walter, USN | title= ''Bush'' Makes Port Visit to Spain  | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60850 | work= NNS110607-06 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Public Affairs | date=7 June 2011 | access-date=20 April 2009}}</ref>
|-
! 3rd:
| ——
| ''Mitscher''
| ——
| ——
| [[Durrës|Durrës, Albania]]
| 3–6 Jun 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven B. King, USN | title= USS ''Mitscher'' Completes Successful Port Call in Albania | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60940 | work= NNS110610-09 | publisher= USS Mitscher (DDG-57) Public Affairs | access-date=10 June 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 4th:
| ——
| ''Gettysburg''
| ——
| ——
| [[Benidorm|Benidorm, Spain]]
| 6–9 Jun 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Betsy Lynn Knapper, USN | title= ''Gettysburg'' Departs Benidorm, Spain after Successful Port Visit | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60944 | work= NNS110610-12 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=10 June 2011 | access-date=10 June 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 5th:
| ——
| ''Anzio''
| ——
| ——
| [[Odesa, Ukraine]]
| 3–6 Jun 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian M. Brooks, USN | title= USS ''Anzio'' Departs Georgia | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61051 | work= NNS110616-03 | publisher= USS Anzio Public Affairs | date=16 June 2011 | access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 6th:
| 6–18 Jun 2011
| ''Anzio''
| Sea Breeze 2011
| [[Black Sea]]
| [[Batumi|Batumi, Georgia]]
| 9–12 Jun 2011
|<ref name=NNS110618-14>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stephen Oleksiak | title= Sea Breeze 2011 Comes to a Close | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61116 | work= NNS110618-14 | publisher= Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs | date=18 June 2011 | access-date=8 September 2011}}</ref><ref name=NNS110606-29>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stephen Oleksiak, USN | title= U.S., Ukraine Kick Off Sea Breeze 2011 | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60839 | work= NNS110606-29 | publisher= Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs | date=6 June 2011 | access-date=8 September 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 7th:
| 6–10 Jun 2011
| ''Mitscher''
| Partnership of Adriatic Mariners (PAM)
| [[Adriatic Sea]]
| [[Bar, Montenegro]]
| 10–15 Jun 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven B. King, USN | title= ''Mitscher'' Concludes Exercise, Visit to Montenegro | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61057 | work= NNS110616-12 | publisher= USS Mitscher Public Affairs | date=16 June 2011 | access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 8th:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Limassol, Cyprus]]
| 10–13 Jun 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin J. Steinberg, USN | title= ''Truxtun'' Sailors Experience History, Culture of Cyprus | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61052 | work= NNS110616-04 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=16 June 2011 | access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 9th
| ——
| ''George H.W. Bush'', ''Gettysburg''
| ——
| ——
| [[Naples|Naples, Italy]]
| 11–14 Jun 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jessica Echerri, USN | title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' Visits Naples, Italy | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=60968 | work= NNS110611-13 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Public Affairs | date=11 June 2011 | access-date=13 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Derrik Noack, USN | title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' Completes Italy Port Visit | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61025 | work= NNS110615-21 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Public Affairs  | date=15 June 2011  | access-date=15 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Betsy Lynn Knapper, USN | title= USS ''Gettysburg'' Departs Italy | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61053 | work= NNS110616-05 | publisher= USS Gettysburg (CG-64) Public Affairs | date=16 June 2011 | access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 10th:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Haifa, Israel]]
| 15–16 Jun 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin J. Steinberg, USN | title= ''Truxtun'' Departs Israel after Port Visit | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61084 | work= NNS110617-13 | publisher= USS Truxtun (DDG-103) Public Affairs | date=17 June 2011 | access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 11th:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Djibouti]]
| 26 June 2011
|
|-
! 12th:
| ——
| Carrier Strike Group Two
| ——
| ——
| [[Al Hidd|Al Hidd, Bahrain]]
| 10–14 Jul 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jessica Echerri, USN | title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Departs Bahrain, Returns to Sea | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61659 | work= NNS110719-11 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=19 July 2011 | access-date=23 July 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 13th:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Manama]], Bahrain
| 25 Jul – 13 August 2011
|
|-
! 14th:
| 1 Jul to 18 August 2011
| ''Anzio''
| [[Combined Task Force 151]]
| [[Gulf of Aden]]
| [[Victoria, Seychelles]]
| 18 August 2011
|
|-
! 15th:
| ——
| ''George H.W. Bush''
| ——
| ——
| [[Jebel Ali]], [[UAE]]
| 31 Aug – 4 September 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Walter, USN | title= ''Bush'' Completes First Port Visit To Jebel Ali | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=62678 | work= NNS110911-04 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Public Affairs | date=11 September 2011 | access-date=11 September 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 16th:
| ——
| ''Gettysburg''
| ——
| ——
| [[Manama]], Bahrain
| 31 Aug – 6 September 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Betsy Lynn Knapper, USN | title= ''Gettysburg'' Departs Bahrain | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=62808 | work= NNS110919-05 | publisher= USS Gettysburg (CG-64) Public Affairs | date=9 September 2011 | access-date=20 September 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 17th:
| ——
| ''Anzio''
| ——
| ——
| [[Manama]], Bahrain
| 29 September 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian M. Brooks, USN | title= ''Anzio'' Sailors Volunteer in Bahrain | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=63118 | work= NNS111006-03 | publisher= USS Anzio Public Affairs | date=6 October 2011 | access-date=25 October 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 18th:
| ——
| ''Mitscher''
| ——
| ——
| [[Manama]], Bahrain
| 29 Sep – 4 October 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven B. King, USN | title= USS ''Mitscher'' Departs Bahrain | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=63285 | work= NNS111016-04 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=16 October 2001 | access-date=25 October 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 19th:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Manama]], Bahrain
| 30 September 2011
|
|-
! 20th:
| ——
| ''George H.W. Bush''
| ——
| ——
| [[Jebel Ali]], [[UAE]]
| 31 October 2011
|
|-
|-
! 21st:
| 3 November 2011
| ''Mitscher''
| Pakistani Navy: ''Shah Jahan''
| [[Arabian Sea]]
| [[Lisbon, Portugal]]
| 23 November 2011
|<ref name=NNS111114-05>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven B. King, USN | title= US, Pakistan Navy Conduct Personnel Exchange | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=63820 | work= NNS111114-05 | publisher= USS Mitscher Public Affairs | date=14 November 2011 | access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven B. King, USN | title= USS ''Mitscher'' Pulls into Lisbon | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=63993 | work= NNS111123-11 | publisher= USS Mitscher Public Affairs | date=23 November 2011 | access-date=24 November 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 22nd:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Civitavecchia|Civitavecchia, Italy]]
| 23 November 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Tony D. Curtis, USN | title= USS ''Truxtun'' Arrives in Civitavecchia | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=63985 | work= NNS111123-08 | publisher= USS Truxtun Public Affairs | date=23 November 2011 | access-date=24 November 2011}}</ref>
|-
! 23rd:
| ——
| ''Anzio''
| ——
| ——
| [[Palma de Mallorca|Palma de Mallorca, Spain]]
| 24–27 Nov 2011
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian M. Brooks, USN | title= USS ''Anzio'' Makes Port Visit to Palma de Mallorca | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=64010 | work= NNS111125-03 | publisher= USS Anzio Public Affairs | date=25 November 2011 | access-date=24 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian M. Brooks, USN | title= USS ''Anzio'' Departs Palma de Mallorca | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=64043 | work= NNS111128-06 | publisher= USS Anzio Public Affairs | date=28 November 2011 | access-date=3 December 2012}}</ref>
|-
! 24th:
| ——
| ''George H.W. Bush''
| ——
| ——
| [[Marseille]], France
| 25 November 2011
|<ref name=NNS111125-02>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Gregory Wilhelmi, USN | title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' Visits Marseille, France | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=64014 | work= NNS111125-02 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=25 November 2011 | access-date=25 November 2011}}</ref>
|-
|}

===2012–2014 operations===
On 25 July 2012, ''George H.W. Bush'', began its four-month overhaul at [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard]] at [[Portsmouth, Virginia]], which included scheduled short-term technical upgrades.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samantha Thorpe, USN | title= CVN 77 Begins Planned Incremental Availability | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=68615 | work= NNS120726-09 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=26 July 2012 | access-date=1 August 2012}} and {{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samantha Thorpe, USN | title= CVN 77 Starts Planned Incremental Availability | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=68615 | work= NNS120824-02 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=24 August 2012 | access-date=1 October 2012}}</ref> Also undergoing maintenance during 2012 were the guided-missile destroyers ''Bainbridge'', ''Mason'', ''Bulkeley'', ''Ross'', and ''Barry'', as well as the guided-missile frigate ''Kauffman''.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
[[File:Carrier Strike Group in Atlantic December 10 2013 131210-N-VC599-169.jpg|thumb|right|Carrier Strike Group Two underway (10 December 2013)]]
On 1 December 2012, the ''George H.W. Bush'' completed its maintenance cycle and began sea trials on 3 December 2012.  After completing its sea trials on 4 December 2012, the ''Bush'' began its training and qualification cycle in preparation for the 2014 deployment of Carrier Strike Group Two.  This included the on-loading of munitions in anticipation of the upcoming overseas deployment of Carrier Strike Group Two.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist Margaret Keith, USN | title= CVN 77 Departs Shipyard on Time | url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70896 | work= NNS121203-03 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=3 December 2012 | access-date=5 December 2012}} and {{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samantha Thorpe, USN | title= CVN 77 Back To Sea For Trials | url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70914 | work= NNS120726-09 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=3 December 2012 | access-date=5 December 2012}}</ref>

The pre-deployment training cycle for Carrier Strike Group Two began with the successful completion of its Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP) training exercises on 23 August 2013.  TSTA integrated individual units of Carrier Strike Group Two into a single formation while FEP is a graded 48-hour training evolution that evaluated how effectively the strike group operated together.  These exercises were the first time that the ''George H.W. Bush'' and Carrier Air Wing Eight had operated together since 2011.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Robert Burck, USN | title= USS ''George H. W. Bush'' Successfully Completes TSTA/FEP | url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=76124| work= NNS130823-13 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=28 August 2013 | access-date=16 September 2013 }}</ref> On 20 November 2013, Carrier Strike Group Two began its 29-day [[Composite Training Unit Exercise]] (COMPTUEX).  This series of training exercises were designed to certify the carrier strike group's deployment readiness by testing its capability to react to real-world scenarios as an integrated naval combat formation.<ref name=NNS131120-17>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Robert Burck, USN | title= CVN 77 Begins COMPTUEX | url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=77797| work= NNS131120-17 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=20 November 2013 | access-date=21 November 2013 |quote=The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 departed Norfolk to begin Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) Nov. 20.}}</ref> This included CVW-8 aircraft flying live bombing runs at the U.S. Navy's Pinecastle Bombing Range in [[Ocala National Forest]], Florida between 18–18 December 2013.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

At the start of 2014, Carrier Strike Group Two was in port and not underway.<ref>{{cite web | title= U.S. Naval Update Map: Dec. 31, 2013 | url= http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/us-naval-update-map-dec-31-2013 | publisher= [[STRATFOR]] | date= 2 January 2014 | access-date=6 January 2014| quote=Registration required.}} and {{cite web | title= U.S. Naval Update Map: Jan. 9, 2014 | url= http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/us-naval-update-map-jan-9-2014 | publisher= [[STRATFOR]] | date= 9 January 2014 | access-date=9 January 2014| quote=Registration required.}}</ref> 
;2012–2013 exercises and port visits
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Number
! colspan="4" align="center" | Exercises/Operations
! colspan="2" align="center" | Port Visits
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Notes
|-
! align="center" | ''Duration''
! align="center" | ''U.S. Force''
! align="center" | ''Joint/Bilateral/Multilateral Partner(s)''
! align="center" | ''Operating Area''
! align="center" | ''Location''
! align="center" | ''Dates''
|-
! 1st:
| 1 Jun to 1 December 2012
| {{USS|Carr|FFG-52|2}}<ref group=Note>Detachment 2 of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46 (HSL-48) embarked.</ref>
| [[Joint Interagency Task Force South]]
| [[U.S. Fourth Fleet]]
| Various
| Various
|
|-
! 2nd:
| 20–28 Sep 2012
| {{USS|Anzio|CG-68|2}}, {{USS|Gravely|DDG-107|2}}
| [[UNITAS]] Atlantic 53-2012<ref group=Note>Other warships included {{HMS|Dauntless|D33|6}}, [[HMS Broadsword (F88)|BNS ''Greenhalgh'']], [[Almirante Padilla class frigate|ARC ''Antioquia'']], [[Oaxaca class patrol vessel|ARM ''Independencia'']], and {{HMCS|Preserver|AOR 510|6}}.</ref>
| [[Caribbean Sea]]
| [[NAS Key West]], Florida
| 16–20 Sep 2012
|
|-
! 3rd:
| 1–11 Oct 2012
| ''Gettysburg'', ''Mitscher''
| [[Exercise Joint Warrior|Joint Warrior 12-2]]<ref group=Note>Joint Warrior 12-2 involved ground-air-sea forces from the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.</ref>
| [[Western Approaches]]
| [[Portsmouth]], U.K.
| 13–18 Oct 2012
|<ref name= NNS121001-16>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Foster Bamford, USN | title= Joint Warrior 12-2 draws to a close | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70114| work= NNS121001-16 | publisher= Navy Public Affairs Support Element West | date=10 October 2012 | access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Foster Bamford, USN | title= Joint Warrior 12-2 Draws to a Close | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70114 | work= NNS121012-29 | publisher= Navy Public Affairs Support Element West | date=12 October 2012 | access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
! 4th:
| 7 January 2013
| ''George H.W. Bush'' 
| Munitions on-loading:  {{USNS|William McLean|T-AKE-12|2}}
| Atlantic Ocean
| ——
| ——
|
|-
! 5th:
| 30 Jul to 30 August 2013
| Carrier Strike Group Two 
| Group Sail: TSTA/FEP<ref group=Note>Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) with ''George H.W. Bush'', {{USS|Truxtun|DDG-103}}, {{USS|Roosevelt|DDG-80}}, {{USS|Philippine Sea|CG-58}}, and {{USS|Leyte Gulf|CG-55}}</ref>
| Atlantic Ocean
| ——
| ——
|<ref>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samantha Thorpe, USN | title= USS ''Roosevelt'' Departs for Group Sail | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75677 | work= NNS130731-01 | publisher= USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Public Affairs | date=12 October 2012 | access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>
|-
! 8th:
| 20 Nov to 18 December 2013
| Carrier Strike Group Two 
| [[Composite Training Unit Exercise|COMPTUEX]]: [[Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic|Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTL)]] 
| Atlantic Ocean
| ——
| ——
|<ref name=NNS131120-17/>
|-
|}

===2014 deployment===
{{see also|2014 military intervention against ISIS|American-led intervention in Syria|2014 US-Coalition intervention in Syria}}
[[File:140306-N-MO201-151 he guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) departs the Marathi NATO pier facility March 6 2014.JPG|thumb|right|Souda Bay (6 March 2014)]]
[[File:USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and USS GHW Bush (CVN-77) in the Arabian Sea in March 2014.JPG|thumb|right|Gulf of Aden (6 March 2014)]]
[[File:USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) launches Tomamhawk missiles in September 2014.jpg|thumb|right|USS ''Philippine Sea'' (23 September 2014)]]
[[File:Night launch of F-18s from USS GHW Bush (CVN-77) in September 2014.JPG|thumb|right|USS ''George HW Bush'' (23 September 2014)]]
[[File:USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and USS GHW Bush (CVN-77) in the Arabian Sea in October 2014.JPG|thumb|right|Task Force 50 (18 October 2014)]]
On 15 February 2014, Carrier Strike Group Two began its 2014 Mediterranean and Indian Ocean deployment.<ref>See announcement of planned date at {{cite web | title= ''Bush'' Carrier Strike Group to Deploy Saturday | url= http://news.usni.org/2014/02/12/bush-carrier-strike-group-deploy-saturday | work= USNI News | publisher= [[United States Naval Institute]] | date= 12 February 2011 | access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref>  The carrier ''George H.W. Bush'' and the destroyer ''Truxtun'' departed [[Naval Station Norfolk]], Virginia, to rendezvous with the cruiser ''Philippine Sea'' and destroyer ''Roosevelt'' that departed [[Naval Station Mayport]], Florida, on 15 February 2014.  Also on that date, the destroyer ''Arleigh Burke'' departed Norfolk for an independent eight-month [[Ballistic Missile Defense]] deployment with the U.S. Fifth Fleet.<ref name=NNS140215-06>{{cite web | title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' departs for 2nd Deployment | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79116 | work=NNS140215-06| publisher = USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 15 February 2014 | access-date=17 February 2014}}</ref><ref name=wtkr02152014>{{cite news |url= http://wtkr.com/2014/02/12/uss-george-h-w-bush-csg-to-depart-for-deployment-on-saturday/ |publisher= [[WTKR]] |date= 15 February 2014 |access-date= 17 February 2014 |author= Becca Mitchell |title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' CSG to depart for deployment on Saturday }}</ref>

On 17 February 2014, Rear Admiral [[DeWolfe Miller III (United States Navy)|DeWolfe H. Miller, III]] relieved Rear Admiral [[John C. Aquilino]] as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two.  A [[naval aviator]], Miller had previously commanded the carrier ''George H.W. Bush'' while Aquilino's next assignment was operations director of the [[U.S. Pacific Fleet]].<ref name=NNS140220-09/><ref>{{cite web | title= Rear Admiral DeWolfe H. Miller, III | url= http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=639 | work= Command biography | publisher=United States Navy | date= 18 February 2014 | access-date=22 February 2014}}</ref>

====U.S. Sixth Fleet====
On 24 February 2014, Carrier Strike Group Two entered the [[U.S. Sixth Fleet]]'s area of responsibility.<ref>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shaun Griffin, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Carrier Strike Group Enters 6th Fleet | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79303| work= NNS140224-18 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 24 February 2014 | access-date=24 February 2014}}</ref>  On 27 February 2014, the group transited the [[Straits of Gibraltar]] and entered the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shaun Griffin, USN |title= ''Phil Sea'' Transits Straits of Gibraltar | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79433 | work=  NNS140302-02 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 2 March 2014 | access-date=3 March 2014}}</ref> During its transit across the Mediterranean, the strike group encountered and monitored a Russian naval task group led by the aircraft carrier ''[[Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov|Kuznetsov]]''.<ref name=NNS141028-04/>  Carrier Strike Group Two entered the Suez Canal on 18 March 2014, exiting the Mediterranean Sea.<ref name=NNS140320-01/>
;'''Russian annexation of Crimea'''
With the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexation of Crimea]] unfolding, on 6 March 2014, the guided-missile destroyer ''Truxtun'' (''pictured'') departed [[Souda Bay]], Greece, for operations in the [[Black Sea]] with units of the [[Romanian Naval Forces|Romanian]] and [[Bulgarian Navy|Bulgarian]] navies.  The official U.S. Navy news release noted that "''Truxtun''{{'}}s operations in the Black Sea were scheduled well in advance of her departure from the United States."<ref name=NNS140306-01>{{cite web | title= USS ''Truxtun'' Departs Souda Bay for Black Sea | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79498 | work= NNS140306-01 | publisher=U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs | date= 6 March 2014 | access-date=7 March 2014}}</ref> The U.S. Department of Defense also announced that Carrier Strike Group Two's deployment to the U.S. Fifth Fleet would be temporarily delayed, and the carrier group held in the Mediterranean Sea because of the ongoing crisis in the Crimea.<ref name=StarsStripes03172014>{{cite news|title=Navy SEALs take control of hijacked tanker in Mediterranean |url=http://www.stripes.com/news/europe/navy-seals-take-control-of-hijacked-tanker-in-mediterranean-1.273130 |access-date=17 March 2014|newspaper=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]]}}</ref>
;'''''Morning Glory'' Incident'''
In the early morning hours of 17 March 2014, a team of [[United States Navy SEALs]] team operating from the USS ''Roosevelt'' successfully retook the hijacked North Korean-flagged oil tanker ''[[MV Morning Glory|Morning Glory]]'' from Libyan terrorists while steaming in international waters off the southeast coast of [[Cyprus]].  The ''Morning Glory'' had been seized "earlier in the month" by an armed group in the Libyan port of [[Sidra, Libya|As-Sidra]].  The hijackers unsuccessfully attempted to sell the ship's oil cargo illegally on the [[Black market#Fuel|black market]], with the earnings going to their separatist group and not the Libyan interim central government's [[National Oil Corporation]].<ref name=StarsStripes03172014/><ref name="WashingtonPost03172014">{{cite news|title=Navy SEALs board mystery tanker Morning Glory near Cyprus. No one hurt, Pentagon says.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/03/17/navy-seals-board-tanker-morning-glory-near-cyprus-no-one-hurt-pentagon-says/ |access-date=17 March 2014|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

====U.S. Fifth Fleet====
On 19 March 2014, Carrier Strike Group Two transited the [[Suez Canal]] and joined the U.S. Fifth Fleet.<ref name=NNS140320-01>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shaun Griffin, USN | title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Carrier Strike Group Enters 5th Fleet | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79760 | work= NNS140320-01 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 20 March 2014 | access-date=20 March 2014}}</ref>  The destroyer ''Truxtun'' rejoined the carrier group after departing the Black Sea on 21 March 2014.<ref>{{cite web | title= USS ''Truxtun'' Departs Black Sea | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79802 | work= NNS140321-17 | publisher=U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs | date= 21 March 2014 | access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref>  On 22 March 2014, Carrier Strike Group Two relieved [[Carrier Strike Group Ten]] in the [[Gulf of Aden]] (''pictured''). Operating in the [[North Arabian Sea]], Carrier Air Wing Eight launched its first combat sorties in support of [[International Security Assistance Force|coalition forces]] in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]] on 26 March 2014.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} In addition to close air mission in support of coalition ground forces, Carrier Strike Group Two launched air mission in conjunction with the Afghan run-off elections.<ref name=NNS141028-04/>

On 18 October 2014, [[Carrier Strike Group One]] relieved Carrier Strike Group Two in the Persian Gulf (''pictured'').  As of that date, Carrier Strike Group Two and its embarked [[Carrier Air Wing Eight]] had amassed 32,611 flight hours, 12,548 total sorties, and 9,752 arrested landings on board the carrier ''George H.W. Bush''.<ref>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chase Martin, USN | title= ''George H.W. Bush'' and ''Carl Vinson'' Strike Groups Turnover Duties | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=83954 | work= NNS141020-07 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 20 October 2014 | access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref> This included 3,245 combat sorties in support Operation Inherent Resolve (''see below'') in Iraq and Syria, as well as coalition ground forces in Afghanistan, with 18,333 combat flight hours flown and more than {{convert|120000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of ordnance expended.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} Carrier Strike Group Two depart the U.S. Fifth Fleet on 27 October 2014, concluding a seven-month-long deployment.<ref name=NNS141028-04>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Madlangbayan, USN | title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Carrier Strike Group Departs US 5th Fleet  | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84102 | work= NNS141028-04 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 28 October 2014 | access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref>
;'''Iraqi-Syrian Crises'''
With the [[Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]] [[Northern Iraq offensive (June 2014)|military invasion of Iraq]] intensifying, Carrier Strike Group Two entered the Persian Gulf on 14 June 2014.  Joining the carrier ''George HW Bush'', the cruiser ''Philippine Sea'', and the destroyer ''Truxtun'' were the destroyers ''Arleigh Burke'' and {{USS|O'Kane|DDG-77|2}} which had been operating in the Persian Gulf.<ref>{{cite web | author=JC Finley | title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' in Persian Gulf as contingency for Iraq military option | url= http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/06/16/USS-George-HW-Bush-in-Persian-Gulf-as-contingency-for-Iraq-military-option/8371402932267/ | publisher=[[United Press International]] | date= 16 June 2014  | access-date=21 June 2014}} and {{cite web | title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' to Move into Persian Gulf | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=81673 | work=NNS140614-02| publisher= Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs | date= 14 June 2014  | access-date=25 June 2014}}</ref>  CVW-8 aircraft began flying combat air patrols over Iraq on 19 June 2014.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

On 8 August 2014, Carrier Strike Group Two conducted air-strikes directed to stop the advancement of ISIS forces into [[Erbil]]. These air strikes marked the return of U.S. air combat forces to Iraq since the end of the U.S. military operations in 2011.<ref>{{cite web | title= Navy F/A-18s Strike ISIL Targets | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=82656 | work=NNS140808-08 | publisher= U.S. Navy Public Affairs | date= 8 August 2014  | access-date=8 August 2014}}; {{cite web | author=Dave Majumdar | title= U.S. Navy Strikes ISIS Targets in Iraq | url= http://news.usni.org/2014/08/08/u-s-navy-strikes-isis-targets-iraq | work=News Blog | publisher= [[United States Naval Institute]] | date= 8 August 2014  | access-date=25 June 2014}}; and {{cite news|title=U.S. Launches Airstrikes in Iraq |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-planes-start-airstrike-on-iraq-militants-1407503573?tesla=y&mod=djemTEW_h&mg=reno64-wsj |access-date=8 August 2014|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>  By 20 August 2014, the strike group had launched 30 airstrikes against ISIS targets although the majority of the sorties have been devoted to surveillance missions.<ref>{{cite web | author= Dave Majumdar | title= Navy: Most Carrier Sorties Over Iraq Are Surveillance Missions | url= http://news.usni.org/2014/08/20/navy-carrier-sorties-iraq-surveillance-missions | work= USNI News | publisher= [[United States Naval Institute]] | date= 20 August 2014 | access-date=21 August 2014}}</ref>

Beginning 22 September 2014, a multi-lateral air campaign attacked ISIL military positions in Syria.  The targets included training compounds, headquarters and command and control facilities, storage facilities, a finance center, as well as supply trucks and armed vehicles.  Prior to the launch of the air campaign, a total of 47 [[Tomahawk (missile family)|land-attack Tomahawk cruise missiles]] were fired against ISIL military targets from the destroyer {{USS|Arleigh Burke|DDG-51|2}} and the cruiser {{USS|Philippine Sea|CG-58|2}} (''pictured'') operating from international waters in the [[Red Sea]] and [[Persian Gulf]].  These missile strikes also included [[Khorasan Group]] targets located west of [[Aleppo]]. Finally, F/A-18 Hornets and EA-6B Prowlers (''pictured'') from Carrier Air Wing 8 executed the majority of the third wave of airstrikes against ISIL positions in [[Raqqa]], [[Dayr az Zawr]], [[Abu Kamal]], and [[Al Hasakah]].<ref name=NNS140923-01>{{cite web | title= US Military, Partner Nations Conduct Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=83476| work= NNS140923-01 | publisher= [[U.S. Central Command]] Public Affairs | date= 23 September 2014 | access-date=23 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cavas |first=Christopher P. |date=24 September 2014 |title=Pounding ISIS – from the air, from the sea |url=http://intercepts.defensenews.com/2014/09/pounding-isis-from-the-air-from-the-sea/ |newspaper=DefenseNews |access-date=24 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140927111503/http://intercepts.defensenews.com/2014/09/pounding-isis-from-the-air-from-the-sea/ |archive-date=27 September 2014  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Reilly |first= Corinne |date=24 September 2014 |title=Hampton Roads ships, aircraft strike Syrian targets |url= http://hamptonroads.com/2014/09/hampton-roads-ships-aircraft-strike-syrian-targets |newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |access-date=24 September 2014 }}</ref>

On 6 October 2014, the anti-ISIL air campaign entered its ninth week of operation in Iraq and its fourth week in Syria.  As of that date, units of Carrier Strike Group Two contributed 20 percent of the total munitions used at an overall cost of $62 million (USD).<ref>{{cite news|title=By the Numbers: U.S. Military Strikes in Iraq and Syria |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/10/06/by-the-numbers-u-s-military-strikes-in-iraq-and-syria/?mod=djem10point |access-date=8 October 2014|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>  Effective 15 October 2014, the [[United States Central Command]] officially designated the U.S.-led air campaign against ISIL in Iraq and Syria as '''[[Operation Inherent Resolve]]'''.<ref>{{cite web | title= Iraq and Syria Operations Against ISIL Designated as Operation Inherent Resolve | url= http://www.centcom.mil/en/news/articles/iraq-and-syria-ops-against-isil-designated-as-operation-inherent-resolve | work= Release #20141018 | publisher= U.S. Central Command | date= 15 October 2014 | access-date= 15 October 2014 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141017233741/http://www.centcom.mil/en/news/articles/iraq-and-syria-ops-against-isil-designated-as-operation-inherent-resolve | archive-date= 17 October 2014 | df= dmy-all }}</ref>  Carrier Strike Group Two concluded its final offensive operations against ISIL on 18 October 2014.<ref name=NNS141028-04/>

====Homecoming and key accomplishments====
[[File:U.S. Sailors direct an EA-6B Prowler aircraft assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Aug. 26, 2014, in the Persian Gulf as 140826-N-CZ979-007.jpg|thumb|right|VAQ-134 EA-6B Prowler (26 August 2014)]]
Carrier Strike Group Two transited the [[Suez Canal]] on 27 October 2014.  Following port visits, the strike group transited the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] on 6 November 2014.  Carrier Strike Group Two concluded its nine-month-long deployment when it arrived in Norfolf, Virginia, on 15 November 2014.<ref name=NNS141115-12>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Madlangbayan, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Strike Group Returns to Homeport | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84459 | work= NNS141115-12| publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=14 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> The strike group was preceded by the return of the destroyer ''Arleigh Burke'' from its eight-month-long independent deployment to the U.S. Fifth Fleet on 17 October 2014.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

During its 2014 deployment, the strike group's aviation units flew 12,774 sorties for a total of 34,831 flight hours. This included 3,245 combat sorties with 18,333 combat flight hours flown. Aircraft delivered 232 precision guided bombs and fired more than 2,400 rounds of 20mm ammunition. The aircraft also made 10,003 catapult launches and arrested landings (traps).<ref name=NNS141115-12/>

Surface units of Carrier Strike Group Two were also active during this 2014 deployment.  The destroyer ''Truxtun''  operated with the [[Romanian Naval Forces|Romanian]] and [[Bulgarian Navy|Bulgarian]] navies while showing the flag in the [[Black Sea]] amid the ongoing [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]].  The destroyer ''Roosevelt'' served as the mother ship for the re-capture of the hijacked oil tanker ''[[MV Morning Glory|Morning Glory]]'' from Libyan terrorists.<ref name=StarsStripes03172014/><ref name=WashingtonPost03172014/> Also, destroyer ''Arleigh Burke'' and the cruiser ''Philippine Sea'' launched 47 [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk]] land attack cruise missiles against Syrian targets in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.<ref name=NNS140923-01/><ref name=NNS141115-12/>

Finally, naval aviation history reached a milestone when the [[Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler]] (''pictured'') made its final overseas deployment with Carrier Strike Group Two, retiring after 42 years of operations with the United States Navy.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick Ian Crimmins, USN |title= Prowler: Retiring from Service | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84384 | work= NNS141111-05| publisher= USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date=11 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>

====Forces, operations, and port visits====
;2014 deployment force composition<ref name=Morison2014/>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! colspan="1" width="20%" align="center" | Group Warships
! colspan="1" width="0%" align="center" |
! colspan="2" align="center" | [[Carrier Air Wing Eight]] (CVW-8) squadrons embarked aboard flagship {{USS|George H.W. Bush|CVN-77}}
|-
| {{USS|Philippine Sea|CG-58}}
|
| [[VFA-213|Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213):]] 12 [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F]]
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 (VAW-124):  4 [[E-2 Hawkeye|E-2C]]
|-
| {{USS|Truxtun|DDG-103}}
|
| [[VFA-87|Strike Fighter Squadron 87 (VFA-87):]] 10 [[FA-18|F/A-18C]]
| Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Squadron 9 (HSC-9):  8 [[MH-60S]]
|-
| {{USS|Roosevelt|DDG-80}}
|
| [[VFA-31|Strike Fighter Squadron 31 (VFA-31):]] 12 F/A-18E
| Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70 (HMS-70):  11 [[MH-60R]]
|-
| {{USS|Arleigh Burke|DDG-51}}
|
| [[VFA-15|Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15):]] 10 F/A-18C
| [[VRC-40|Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40), Det. 2:]] 2 [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound|C-2A]]
|-
| ——
|
| [[VAQ-134|Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron 134 (VAQ-134):]] 5 [[EA-6B]]
| ——
|-
|}
;2014 deployment operations, exercises, and port visits
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width=99%
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Number
! colspan="4" align="center" | Exercises/Operations
! colspan="2" align="center" | Port Visits
! rowspan="2" width="5%" | Notes
|-
! align="center" | ''Duration''
! align="center" | ''U.S. Forces''
! align="center" | ''Joint/Bilateral/Multilateral Partner(s)''
! align="center" | ''Operating Area''
! align="center" | ''Location''
! align="center" | ''Dates''
|-
!1st
| ——
| ''Arleigh Burke''
| ——
| ——
| [[Marseille]], France
| 2–14 Mar 2014
|
|-
! 2nd:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Souda Bay]], Greece
| 3–6 Mar 2014
|<ref name=NNS140306-01/>
|-
! 3rd:
| ——
| ''Bush'', ''Philippine Sea''
| ——
| ——
| [[Piraeus, Greece]]
| 4–7 Mar 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shaun Griffin, USN |title= USS ''George H.W. Bush'' Departs Greece | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79534 | work= NNS140307-12 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 7 March 2014 | access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 4th:
| ——
| ''Roosevelt''
| ——
| ——
| [[Koper, Slovenia]]
| 4–7 Mar 2014
|<ref name=StarsStripes03172014/>
|-
! 5th:
| 12 March 2014
| ''Truxtun''
| [[PASSEX]]: [[Romanian Naval Forces]] & [[Bulgarian Navy]]<ref group=Note>[[Wielingen-class frigate|BGS ''Drazki'' (F 41)]], [[Regina Maria (Romanian frigate)|ROS ''Regina Maria'' (F222)]], [[Admiral Petre Bărbuneanu-class corvette|ROS ''Admiral Petre Barbuneanu'' (F260)]], and [[Rear-Admiral Eustațiu Sebastian-class corvette|ROS ''Contraamiral Eustatiu Sebastian'' (F264)]]</ref>
| [[Black Sea]]
| [[Constanta, Romania]]
| 8–12 Mar 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author=Ensign Christian Asaban, USN |title= USS ''Truxtun'' (DDG 103) Arrives in Constanta, Romania | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79562 | work= NNS140308-12 | publisher=USS Truxtun Public Affairs | date= 8 March 2014 | access-date=11 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Black Sea naval drills start near Crimea |url=https://news.yahoo.com/u-black-sea-naval-drills-start-one-day-081328395--finance.html |access-date=12 March 2014|work=[[Yahoo! News]]}}</ref>
|-
! 6th:
| 17 March 2014
| ''Roosevelt''
| [[U.S. Navy SEAL]]s
| [[Mediterranean Sea]]
| [[Split, Croatia]]
| 8–11 Mar 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author=Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Wolpert, USN |title= USS ''Roosevelt'' Arrives in Split for Port Visit | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79561 | work= NNS140308-13 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Command Public Affairs | date= 8 March 2014 | access-date=11 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 7th:
| 13 March 2014
| ''Bush'', ''Philippine Sea''
| [[PASSEX]]:  [[French frigate Cassard (D 614)|FS ''Cassard'' (D614)]]
| [[Mediterranean Sea]]
| [[Antalya, Turkey]]
| 9–12 Mar 2014
|
|-
! 8th:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Varna, Bulgaria]]
| 13–16 Mar 2014
|
|-
! 9th:
| 29 March 2014
| ''Bush'', ''Philippine Sea''
| Air Defense Exercise (ADEX)<ref group=Note>[[Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate|Spanish frigate ''Cristóbal Colón'' (F105)]] and [[Durand de la Penne-class destroyer|Italian destroyer ''Francesco Mimbelli'' (D561)]]</ref> 
| [[North Arabian Sea]]
| [[Hidd]], [[Bahrain]]
| 22–28 Apr 2014
|
|-
! 10th:
| 30 Mar to 18 October 2014
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan]]: [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]
| Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea
| ——
| ——
|<ref name=NNS141028-04/>
|-
! 11th:
| ——
| ''Arleigh Burke''
| ——
| ——
| [[Hidd]], [[Bahrain]]
| <ref group=Note>29 March; 10–16 May May; 30 May – 6 June; 9–13 July; 8–30 August.</ref>
|
|-
! 12th:
| ——
| ''Roosevelt''
| ——
| ——
| [[Hidd]], [[Bahrain]]
| <ref group=Note>2 April 2014, 2–6 May 2014; 31 June to 6 July; 4 September.</ref>
|
|-
! 13th:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Aqaba]], [[Jordan]]
| <ref group=Note>19–23 April; 19–23 August</ref>
|
|-
! 14th:
| ——
| ''Arleigh Burke''
| ——
| ——
| [[Abu Dhabi]], [[United Arab Emirates|U.A.E.]]
| 26–31 Apr 2014
|
|-
! 15th:
| May 2014
| ''Truxtun''
| Exercise Eager Lion 2014
| [[Persian Gulf]]
| [[Muscat, Oman]]
| 9–12 May 2014
|
|-
! 16th:
| ——
| ''Bush'', ''Philippine Sea''
| ——
| ——
| [[Abu Dhabi]], [[United Arab Emirates|U.A.E.]]
| 24–28 May 2014
|
|-
! 17th:
| 24 May 2014
| ''Truxtun''
| Exercise Khunjar Haad
| [[Red Sea]]
| [[Hidd]], [[Bahrain]]
| 30 May – 7 June 2014
|
|-
! 18th:
| 24 May 2014
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Limassol]], [[Cyprus]]
| 30 – 2 Jul 2014
|
|-
! 19th:
| 1 August 2014
| ''Truxtun''
| [[Suez Canal]] operations: {{USS|Annapolis|SSN-760}}
| Red Sea
| Aqaba, Jordan
| 19–23 Aug 2014
|
|-
! 20th:
| 8 Aug to 18 October 2014
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| Combat air strike operations: Northern Iraq
| Persian Gulf
| Jebel Ali, U.A.E.
| 2–6 Aug 2014
|<ref name=NNS141028-04/>
|-
! 21st:
| <ref group=Note>Transited Strait of Gibraltar on 6 October 2014.</ref>
| ''Arleigh Burke''
| Independent operations
| Mediterranean Sea
| various
| <ref group=Note>[[Civitavecchia]], Italy – 29 September to 3 October 2014; [[Ponta Delgada|Ponta Delgada, Azores]], 9 October 2014.</ref>
|
|-
! 22nd:
| 23 Sep to 18 October 2014
| Carrier Strike Group 2
| Combat air strike operations: Syria
| Persian Gulf, Red Sea
| Hidd, Bahrain
| 5 October 2014
|<ref name=NNS141028-04/><ref name=NNS140923-01/>
|-
! 23rd:
| <ref group=Note>Departed Persian Gulf on 22 September 2014.</ref>
| ''Roosevelt''
| U.S. Fifth Fleet
| Persian Gulf
| [[Duqm|Duqm, Oman]]
| 1–5 Oct 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Wolpert, USN |title= ''Roosevelt'' Departs Duqm, Oman| url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=79696 | work= NNS141010-02 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 10 October 2014 | access-date=13 October 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 24th:
| ——
| ''Bush'', ''Philippine Sea''
| ——
| ——
| [[Manama, Bahrain]]
| 9 October 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chase Martin, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Departs Manama| url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=83841 | work= NNS141013-05 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 12 October 2014 | access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 25th:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Abu Dhabi]], U.A.E.
| 9–13 Oct 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Barnes, USN |title= USS ''Truxtun'' Departs Abu Dhabi| url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=83949 | work= NNS141020-02 | publisher=USS Truxtun Public Affairs | date= 20 October 2014 | access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 26th:
| ——
| ''George H.W. Bush''
| ——
| ——
| [[Duqm]], Oman
| 21 October 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chase Martin, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' arrives in Duqm, Oman | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84071 | work= NNS141025-12| publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 25 October 2014 | access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 27th:
| ——
| ''Roosevelt''
| ——
| ——
| [[Souda Bay]], Crete
| 21–28 Oct 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Lt. JG Marycate Walsh, USN |title= USS ''Roosevelt'' Arrives in Greece| url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84071 | work= NNS141020-02 | publisher=USS Roosevelt Public Affairs | date= 25 October 2014 | access-date=27 October 2014}} and {{cite web | author= Lt. JG Marycate Walsh, USN |title= USS ''Roosevelt'' Departs Crete After Successful Port Visit | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84152 | work= NNS141030-04 | publisher=USS Roosevelt Public Affairs | date= 30 October 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 28th:
| ——
| ''George H.W. Bush''
| ——
| ——
| [[Marseille]], France
| 1–4 Nov 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chase Martin, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Arrives in Marseille, France | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84205 | work= NNS141101-14 | publisher=George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 1 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}} and {{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chase Martin, USN |title= George H.W. Bush Departs Marseille, France| url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84258 | work= NNS141104-13 | publisher=George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 4 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 29th:
| ——
| ''Philippine Sea''
| ——
| ——
| [[Barcelona]], Spain
| 1–5 Nov 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Abraham Loe McNatt, USN |title= ''Philippine Sea'' Pulls into Barcelona | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84206 | work= NNS141102-01| publisher=USS Philippine Sea Public Affairs | date= 2 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}} and {{cite web | title= George H.W. Bush Departs Marseille, France| url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84289| work= NNS141106-10 | publisher=USS Philippine Sea Public Affairs | date= 6 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 30th:
| ——
| ''Truxtun''
| ——
| ——
| [[Villefranche-sur-Mer|Villefranche]], France
| 1–4 Nov 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author= LTJG Christian Asaban, USN |title= USS ''Truxtun'' Arrives in Villefranche, France | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84207 | work= NNS141102-02 | publisher=USS Truxtun Public Affairs | date= 2 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}} and {{cite web | author= LTJG Christian Asaban, USN |title= USS Truxtun Departs Villefranche, France | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84255 | work= NNS141104-18 | publisher=USS Truxtun Public Affairs | date= 4 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>
|-
! 31st:
| ——
| ''Roosevelt''
| ——
| ——
| [[Lisbon]], Portugal
| 3–6 Nov 2014
|<ref>{{cite web | author= Lt. JG Marycate Walsh, USN |title= USS ''Roosevelt'' Arrives in Portugal | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84256 | work= NNS141020-02 | publisher=USS Roosevelt Public Affairs | date= 4 November 2014 | access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>
|-
|}

===2015 operations===
On 31 January 2015, The ''George H.W. Bush'' departed [[Naval Station Norfolk]], Virginia for a six-day underway to conduct Carrier Qualifications with the Carrier Air Wing Eight and off-loaded ammunition offload with the {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71}}, returning to Norfolk on 6 February 2015.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Ian Crimmins, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Conducts Training Exercises | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=85414 | work= NNS150202-03 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 2 February 2015 | access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Ian Crimmins, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Completes Underway | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=85505 | work= NNS150211-02 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 11 February 2015 | access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref>  Between 10–18 February, the ''Bush'' was underway for Fleet Replacement Squadron carrier qualifications.
<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Ian Crimmins, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Conducts Training Exercises | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=85570 | work= NNS150211-04 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 11 February 2015 | access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Ian Crimmins, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Returns from Underway | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=85641 | work= NNS150218-04 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 18 February 2015 | access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref>

On 1 April 2015, the ''Bush'' departed Norfolk for a 10-day underway for carrier qualification (CQ) operations for members of the [[Carrier Strike Group Ten]] and [[Carrier Air Wing Seven]] in the Atlantic Ocean, returning on 11 April 2015.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Ian Crimmins, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Conducts Training Exercises | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=86369 | work= NNS150402-04 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 2 April 2015 | access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref>  During a subsequent underway period, between 24–25 April 2015, the ''Bush'' off-loaded its ammunition to the [[Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship|dry cargo ship]] {{USNS|William McLean|T-AKE-12}} in preparation for the carrier's planned incremental availability (PIA) refit.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Ian Crimmins, USN |title= GHWB Tests MAGIC CARPET, Conducts Training Exercises and Ordnance Offload | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=86765 | work= NNS150426-02 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 26 April 2015 | access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Ian Crimmins, USN |title= ''George H.W. Bush'' Conducts Ordnance Offload | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=86761 | work= NNS150427-04 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 27 April 2015 | access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref>  The ''Bush'' conducted a final carrier qualification operation between 6–9 May 2015.<ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Ian Crimmins, USN |title= GHWB Returns From Underway | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=87032 | work= NNS150509-01 | publisher=USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs | date= 9 May 2015 | access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref>

On 16 June 2015, the carrier ''George H.W. Bush'' moored at Super Pier 5 at [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard]] in [[Portsmouth, Virginia]], to begin a six-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) refit and upkeep period.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}  The cruiser ''Philippine Sea'' and the destroyers ''Truxtun'' and ''Roosevelt'' are also scheduled to undergo maintenance and refit during 2015.

===2017 operations===
In July/August 2017, after operations against Daesh/ISIS, it took part in Exercise Saxon Warrior 17, with command and control temporarily passed to the [[Royal Navy]]'s Commander UK Carrier Strike Group (COMUKCSG) staff. This allowed COMUKCSG to prepare for future Royal Navy carrier operations.<ref>{{cite web | title=Multinational Partners on Exercise Saxon Warrior | url= http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/august/10/170809-multinational-partners-on-exercise-saxon-warrior | work=Royal Navy | publisher=Royal Navy | date=10 August 2017 | access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref>

===2023-present operations===
Since 2023, the Strike Group has participated in [[Operation Prosperity Guardian]] in the [[Red Sea]] in an effort to protect shipping from Iran-backed [[Houthi movement|Houthis]] in Yemen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In the Red Sea, Houthi Attacks Force the US to Mull a Tougher Response {{!}} RANE |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/article/red-sea-houthi-attacks-force-us-mull-tougher-response |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Stratfor}}</ref>

On December 31, 2023, Iranian-backed [[Houthi]] fighters attacked a Singapore-flagged commercial [[container ship]] in the [[Red Sea]], and attempted to board it.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/31/world/middleeast/us-military-houthis-red-sea-maersk.html|title=U.S. Helicopters Sink 3 Houthi Boats in Red Sea, Pentagon Says|first1=David E.|last1=Sanger|first2=Eric|last2=Schmitt|first3=Vivek|last3=Shankar|date=31 December 2023|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> U.S. Navy helicopters from the U.S.S. ''Eisenhower'' carrier group responded to the ship’s [[distress call]] and arrived to chase the attackers away, and the Houthis opened fire on the helicopters.<ref name="auto" /> The helicopters responded in self-defense, sunk three Houthi fast boats, and killed of all the crew members on the boats.<ref name="auto" /> ''The New York Times'' reported that: "It appeared to be the first time that American and allied forces patrolling the Red Sea ... have engaged in a deadly firefight with the Houthis since their attacks on ships began in October...."

==See also==
* [[History of the United States Navy]]
* [[List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]

==Notes==
;Footnotes
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

;Citations
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
* {{cite journal |last= Morison  |first= Samuel Loring |author-link= Samuel Loring Morison|date=September 2014 |title= U.S. Battle Force Aviation Changes 2013–14 |journal= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Proceedings]] |volume= 140 |issue= 4 |pages= 48–50 |issn= 0041-798X |url= http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2014-09/us-battle-force-aviation-changes |access-date= 13 September 2014 |quote=Registration required.}}
* {{cite journal|author-mask=2|last= Morison  |first= Samuel Loring |author-link= Samuel Loring Morison |date=May 2009 |title= U.S. Naval Battle Force Changes 1 January 2008–31 December 2008: Aircraft Carrier Air Wing Assignments and Composition as of 17 Feb 2009 |journal= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Proceedings]] |volume= 135 |issue= 5 |pages= 118–120 |issn= 0041-798X |url= http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2009-05 |access-date=26 August 2010 |quote=Registration required.}}
* {{cite journal|author-mask=2|last= Morison  |first= Samuel Loring |author-link= Samuel Loring Morison |date=May 2010 |title= U.S. Naval Battle Force Changes 1 January 2009–31 December 2009: Aircraft Carrier Air Wing Assignments and Composition as of 1 March 2010 |journal= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Proceedings]] |volume= 136 |issue= 5 |pages= 106–116 |issn= 0041-798X |url= http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2010-05 |access-date=29 August 2010 |quote=Registration required.}}
* {{cite journal|author-mask=2 |last= Morison  |first= Samuel Loring |author-link= Samuel Loring Morison |date=May 2011 |title= U.S. Naval Battle Force Changes 1 January 2010–31 December 2010: Aircraft Carrier Air Wing Assignments and Composition as of 1 March 2011 |journal= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Proceedings]] |volume= 137 |issue= 5 |pages= 117–120 |issn= 0041-798X |url= http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2011-05 |access-date=29 August 2010 |quote=Registration required.}}
* {{cite journal|author-mask=2 |last= Morison  |first= Samuel Loring |author-link= Samuel Loring Morison |date=May 2012 |title= U.S. Naval Battle Force Changes 1 January 2011–31 December 2011: Aircraft Carrier Air Wing Assignments and Composition as of 2 April 2012 |journal= [[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Proceedings]] |volume= 138 |issue= 5 |pages= 112 |issn= 0041-798X |url= http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2012-05 |access-date= 11 May 2012 |quote=Registration required.}}

==External links==
* {{cite web | title= Saxon Warrior 11 Ships Traveling in Formation | url= http://www.dvidshub.net/video/116025/saxon-warrior-11-ships-traveling-formation  | work= [[DVIDS]] | publisher= [[U.S. Department of Defense]] | date=23 May 2011 | access-date=23 May 2011}}
* {{cite web | author= Grace Jean | title= Impacted by sequestration delays, US carrier strike group prepares for deployment in 2014 | url= http://www.janes.com/article/26166/impacted-by-sequestration-delays-us-carrier-strike-group-prepares-for-deployment-in-2014  | work= [[Jane's Defence Weekly]] | date=22 August 2013 | access-date=21 November 2013|quote=Log-in required for complete access.}}

{{US Navy navbox}}
{{United States Navy Carrier strike groups}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carrier Strike Group 02}}
[[Category:Carrier Strike Groups]]
[[Category:Carrier Strike Group Two]]
[[Category:Military in Norfolk, Virginia]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2004]]