USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Departs San Diego

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group left homeport Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado on Friday for a nine-month deployment to the the Navy's 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility, which includes the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf.

The strike group consists of aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, along with USS Bunker Hill, USS Gridley, USS Sterett, and USS Dewey.  The nine fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 17 are also part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group.

According to the Navy:

The strike group will deploy with approximately 6,200 Sailors and will focus on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.... and provide deterrence to potential adversaries, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas, and provide humanitarian assistance/disaster relief as necessary.

As Home Post recently reported, those serving aboard the Vinson may qualify for "Mission Hardship Duty Pay - Tempo" - which would amount to $17 a day for each day a sailor or Marine is deployed beyond 220 days (about seven months).

Navy and Marine Corps officials anticipate the Office of the Secretary of Defense will approve the new special pay before the end of the fiscal year on September 30.

KPBS Article; 8/22/14