Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Enters European Theater

U.S. 6th Fleet conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Atlantic Ocean  (NNS) ─ April 8, 2019. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) commenced operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations April 8, continuing support to coalition theater security cooperation efforts in the region.

Atlantic Ocean (April 3, 2019) An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the "'Pukin' Dogs" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72. Abraham Lincoln is underway as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7; as well as the Spanish navy Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Mendez Nuñez (F 104) -- U.S. Navy photo by MCS Seaman Tristan Kyle Labuguen. -

The strike group, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as its flagship, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and destroyers from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 departed Norfolk, April 1 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.

Atlantic Ocean (April 3, 2019) An EA-18G Growler assigned to the "'Patriots" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is underway as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7; as well as the Spanish navy Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Mendez Nñez (F 104) -- U.S. Navy photo by MCS Seaman Tristan Kyle Labuguen. -

“The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group has worked tremendously hard to prepare for our operations in U.S. 6th Fleet,” said Rear Adm. John Wade, commander, Abraham Lincoln CSG. “We are poised and ready to perform our mission.”

Atlantic Ocean (April 4, 2019) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) approaches the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) for a replenishment-at-sea. Abraham Lincoln is underway as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7; as well as the Spanish navy Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Mendez Nuñez (F 104) -- U.S. Navy photo by MCS 3rd Class Amber Smalley. -

Abraham Lincoln CSG’s presence in the region, part of an ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces supporting maritime security operations, is emblematic of the multi-mission capability of the U.S. Navy's globally deployed force. Carrier strike groups have ready capabilities to respond wherever and whenever required through a variety of mission sets.

 

Atlantic Ocean (April 4, 2019) Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) watch as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 participates in a replenishment-at-sea with the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8). Abraham Lincoln is underway as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12), Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW 7); as well as Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS M©ndez Nez (F 104) -- U.S. Navy photo by MCS 3rd Class Jeremiah Bartelt. -

While operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, the Abraham Lincoln CSG will participate in realistic training to increase the capabilities of the U.S. allies and strengthen partnerships through multi-lateral events honing the skills necessary to achieve maritime superiority through presence.

Joining the U.S. Navy ships, aircraft, and sailors of Abraham Lincoln CSG for their deployment is the Alvaro de Bazan-class Spanish frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F 104). Partnering with the Spanish frigate demonstrates U.S. Navy's commitment to working with allies and enhancing, interoperability among allied forces.

U.S. 6th Fleet conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.