SAN DIEGO (Jan. 3, 2022) - Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits San Diego bay for a regularly-scheduled deployment. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group consists of Carrier Strike Group 3, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron 21, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Spruance (DDG 111). Abraham Lincoln’s embarked air wing consists of the “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 and “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Kelby Sanders.

USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group departs San Diego on regularly scheduled deployment
SAN DIEGO — The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group departed on a regularly scheduled deployment Monday, January 3, in support of global maritime security operations.
The Abraham Lincoln CSG is led by the command staff of CSG 3 and consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and the guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21) – USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Spruance (DDG 111).
Carrier Air Wing Nine includes eight squadrons: the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron 14, flying F/A-18E Super Hornets; the “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, flying F/A-18F Super Hornets; the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron 151, flying F/A-18E Super Hornets; the “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron 133, flying EA-18G Growlers; the “Wallbangers” of Airborne Command & Control Squadron 117, flying E-2 Hawkeyes; the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14, flying MH-60S Knight Hawks; the “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71, flying MH-60R Sea Hawks; and the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, flying F-35Cs.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 is the first Marine unit to transition to the F-35Cs, doing so ayt the end of 2020 after retiring the squadron’s F/A-18C Hornets.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 officially reached operational capability in July.The “Black Knights” are based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. “The entire CSG 3 team is trained and ready to deter and, if necessary, win conflicts as called upon by our nation’s leaders,” said Rear Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander, Carrier Strike Group 3. “As we leave today on this routine, scheduled deployment, I know the Sailors and Marines of this team will continue to serve this great nation and its people. It is our honor to do so.”

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 3, 2022) F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, arrive aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as they prepare to deploy alongside the Navy as an integrated part of Carrier Strike Group 3. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, led by Carrier Strike Group 3, deployed from San Diego, Jan. 3, in support of global maritime security operations. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations-from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1stLt. Charles Allen.

The units of the Abraham Lincoln CSG began their pre-deployment training cycle back in April and recently completed a month-long integrated exercise where Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet certified the strike group for deployment.
“These Sailors are incredible professionals who have trained exceptionally hard to ensure they are ready for any operational obligations required of us on deployment,” said Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, Abraham Lincoln’s commanding officer. “They are absolutely prepared for today’s deployment, and I have no doubt they will represent our nation proudly as we defend our national interests.”
The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and CVW 9 are deploying with the most advanced air wing in the Navy. Through the integration of organic 4th and 5th generation information and survivability, increased command and control abilities, and airborne electronic attack capacity, all sustained with a robust logistical support platform, the Navy’s next iteration of the Carrier Air Wing will be more lethal and survivable in today’s contested battle space, and well into the future.
An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations—from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.

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