South China Sea The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) departed Hong Kong harbor after a four-day port visit, Sunday.
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the strike group’s flagship, along with USS Chosin (CG 65), USS Pinckney (DDG 91), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Rentz (FFG 46) sent more than 5,000 Sailors to explore the city, tour the surrounding area, and take in the unique culture of the area.
The ship also hosted local and international news media to tour the ship and interview Commander Nimitz CSG Rear Adm. John W. Miller.
“For us this is a routine port visit, although you might say it’s never routine to come to some place as exciting as Hong Kong,” said Miller. “We requested the port visit through normal channels and we’re certainly delighted that we received permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to come in and enjoy some rest and relaxation and get a chance to do a little bit of shopping, as well as meet some great people.”
During the port visit, Sailors also volunteered to help the local community through ten community service projects at nursing homes, temporary shelters, and a dog shelter.
On Friday, a group of 21 sailors from Nimitz joined hands with Disney VoluntEARS to celebrate the Lunar New Year with 60 senior citizens and Hong Kong youth at the Grace Nursing Home in Kowloon Tong. Sailors made dumplings and wrote Chinese calligraphy – “fai chuns” together with the hosts and performed for the audience, singing “Happy Chinese New Year” songs in both English and Chinese.
“It was a good experience to be able to help,” said Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Apprentice Taylor Lucero. “It makes me feel good to know I can make things better for someone else.”
Nimitz CSG recently completed 5 months on station in the North Arabian Sea, where Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 air crews flew more than 2,600 combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The other ships of the CSG contributed to counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, the protection of critical Iraqi infrastructure in the North Arabian Gulf and a wide range of missions to ensure maritime security.
Nimitz continues her routine deployment in the Western Pacific in support of the Maritime Strategy.
Nimitz CSG is comprised of USS Nimitz, embarked Carrier Air Wing 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to DESRON 23 include the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS Rentz.
Squadrons from CVW 11 include the “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, the “Tophatters” of VFA-14, the “Warhawks” of VFA-97, the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86, the “Indians” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the “Black Ravens” of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117.
Helicopter detachments include the “Easy Riders” of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the “Battle Cats” of HSL-43, the “Wolfpack” of HSL-45, the “Scorpions” of HSL-49 and the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge.
For updated information on Nimitz:http://nimitz.navy.mil and http://twitter.com/USS_Nimitz
