[USS Truman] Battle Group Readies for Deployment That Could Include War

Richmond Times-Dispatch ^ | Dec 02, 2002 | AP

[Ligeia]

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) _ More than 8,000 sailors and Marines will leave East Coast ports Thursday with the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman battle group, knowing that they could end up fighting a war with Iraq.

The Truman and eight other surface ships are to depart Norfolk Naval Station to begin a regularly scheduled deployment, which typically includes stints in the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf. A 10th ship is to leave from Earle Naval Weapons Station in New Jersey.

[Ligeia]

Truman scheduled to deploy Thursday
By JACK DORSEY, The Virginian-Pilot
© November 29, 2002
Last updated: 10:29 PM

Background Coverage:
Updates on where our forces are

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GW Guide / Truman profile

NORFOLK -- With family visits on Thanksgiving Day now over, more than 13,000 sailors and Marines are making final preparations to leave East Coast ports next week with the carrier Harry S. Truman battle group, which is likely to become a centerpiece in the event that hostilities erupt with Iraq.

The Navy today officially released the battle group's deployment date, saying the Truman would leave its home base in Norfolk with 11 other ships on Thursday to begin a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf.

The big question now is whether the carrier George Washington battle group, which the Truman is to relieve, will be allowed to come home as planned just before Christmas. The GW, also based in Norfolk, is scheduled to return around Dec. 20.

However, if problems arise as U.N. inspectors look for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons in Iraq, it is possible the GW battle group, currently in the Mediterranean, would be held in place or diverted toward the Middle East.

No such decision has been made, Navy officials insist.

The carrier Abraham Lincoln battle group, based in San Diego, is currently in the Persian Gulf in support of the war against terrorism. Two other Pacific Fleet carriers, the Constellation and the Kitty Hawk, have been in and out of Hong Kong's harbor recently. The Kitty Hawk is based in Japan.

The Truman battle group is commanded by Rear Adm. John D. Stufflebeem and is made up of the carrier Truman and Air Wing Three; the guided missile cruiser San Jacinto; the guided missile destroyers Oscar Austin, Mitscher and Donald Cook; the destroyers Briscoe and Deyo; the guided missile frigate Hawes; the attack submarines Pittsburgh and Montpelier; the oiler Kanawha; and the ammunition ship Mount Baker. All the ships are based in Norfolk except for the Pittsburgh, which is based in Groton, Conn., and the Kanawha and Mount Baker, which have no permanent home ports.

Reach Jack Dorsey at jdorsey@pilotonline.com or 446-2284.

© 2002 HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com

[SamAdams76]

I suspect that the USS Truman will indeed see "some action" on this deployment.

[Ligeia]

I can only imagine how they feel and what they think as they prepare to leave. God bless and protect them all.

[Ligeia]

More Gallery Images

Let's Roll!!

[JRandomFreeper]

I was both relieved and disappointed that my son-in-law didn't re-enlist in the Navy.

/john

[Ligeia]

I can imagine. I know you're proud of him.

[OBone]

Be proud America!!

We are in good hands.

[Ligeia]

I'm so very proud of each and every one of them I could burst. Welcome to Free Republic. I hope you like it here.

[Ligeia]

Thanks for the link. Great Images.
Bookmarked.

You're welcome. The gallery page is amazing.

[Ligeia]

History repeats itself with deployment
By JACK DORSEY, The Virginian-Pilot
© December 5, 2002
Last updated: 9:19 AM

Related: Families brace for separation with early holiday
- Truman Deployment Guide

NORFOLK -- History has a way of repeating itself for the crew of the Harry S. Truman.

Two years ago, one week after Thanksgiving, the carrier left on its first deployment. The Truman was relieving the carrier George Washington, and headed for the Persian Gulf.

And it sailed with revenge on its mind, as the tragedy of the destroyer Cole was fresh.

Today, the Truman battle group leaves on its second deployment -- one week after Thanksgiving, in relief of the GW, and destined eventually for the Persian Gulf.

But this time, revenge is replaced with anticipation. Should there be another war with Iraq, the Truman will be in the thick of it.

The 12 ships in the Truman battle group will leave at various times today from the Norfolk Naval Station. The scheduled six-month deployment calls for the group to sail through the Mediterranean Sea, then to the Persian Gulf.

The Truman battle group's maiden deployment, which began on Nov. 28, 2000, came six weeks after a bomb-laden boat attacked the Cole as it took on fuel in the port of Aden, Yemen. Seventeen Cole sailors died; another 39 were injured.

When the Truman set sail, talk aboard ship was of retaliation. That never happened, but the carrier stayed plenty busy as its planes enforced United Nations sanctions concerning the no-fly zones in Iraq.

Continue + other related stories

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the ping. I was looking for pictures if I find any I'll post them here if you don't mind.

[jpl]

Fair winds and following seas. And Rock the Casbah.

[hawkk]

I would just like to wish my husband PRC Brian Hawkins a safe trip in the coming 6 months. He left home about a month ago to report aboard the Truman. It hadn't really kicked in until I saw this post. We love and miss you!!!

[Ligeia]

Photos would be welcomed. We'd all love it. Fox News is doing a nice job covering the USS Truman casting off this morning. I always love seeing the crew standing around the edge of the ship. An awesome sight.

[Ligeia]

Fair winds and following seas. And Rock the Casbah.

Amen.

[Ligeia]

I would just like to wish my husband PRC Brian Hawkins a safe trip in the coming 6 months. He left home about a month ago to report aboard the Truman. It hadn't really kicked in until I saw this post. We love and miss you!!!

*sniff* God Bless you and your family.

[hawkk]

Thank you. But I missed it pulling out!! Was posting! LOL