On July 14, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group of the United States Navy returned to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia after a 9-month deployment within the operational areas of the U.S. Fifth and Sixth Fleets, covering regions in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, along with its accompanying ships, conducted various missions supporting maritime security and freedom of navigation. Following the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas, the U.S. Navy deployed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and naval units to the Red Sea to protect commercial vessels and promote regional stability.

In an official statement, the U.S. Navy noted that the IKE carried out more than 13,800 aircraft launches and recoveries from its embarked Air Wing, accumulating over 31,400 flight hours in operations to neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and one-way attack unmanned underwater vehicles (OWAs) used by the Houthis to target merchant ships and disrupt critical maritime routes.

Examples include the first drone kill marks appearing on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, part of the defensive measures against threats from Yemen. The first drone shoot-downs were reported in late December, with contributions from the U.S. Marine Corps’ AV-8B+ Harrier IIs also deployed in air cover missions.

During the 275-day deployment, naval units participated in activities with forces from other countries under the international coalition known as Guardians of Prosperity. This required the deployment of aerial and naval assets to address the threats posed by drones and missiles launched from countries near the Red Sea.

The IKECSG is commanded by Carrier Strike Group 2 and includes the flagship USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), the guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, and the Information Warfare Commander. The Navy’s official statement also mentions that the IKE is scheduled to depart from Norfolk, Virginia, for a deployment on October 14.

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