USS George H.W. Bush earns Battle Effectiveness “E” Award

ByPettyOfficer2ndClass

RichardRodgers

Carrier Strike Group 10

The flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush CSG, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), was announced as the Commander Naval Air Force, Atlantic (CNAL)calendaryear2022BattleEffectiveness“E”Awardrecipient March29 2023

TheawardcomeswhileGeorgeH.W.Bush and George H.W. Bush CSG are on a regularlyscheduleddeploymenttotheU.S.Naval Forces Europe-U.S Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF)areaofoperations(AO)

“This award is recognition of the grit and determination of the crew of George H.W. Bush,” said Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CarrierStrikeGroup.“Iamextremelyproud of Capt. Pollard and his crew George H.W. Bush is the centerpiece of our strike group, andtheAvengers’teamworkandprofessionalism - whether supporting our embarked staffs and squadrons, increasing the NATO Alliance’s capability and connectedness, or providingintegrateddeterrenceagainstour adversaries-issecondtonone.”

In addition to naming George H.W. Bush as the CNAL recipient of the 2022 award and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as the Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleetrecipient,themessageidentifiedwhich departmental awards each aircraft carrier earnedinthecompetition

George H.W. Bush earned departmental awards for Air Combat Systems Deck, Damage Control, Health Services Navigation, Operations, Intelligence, Reactor, Safety, Security, Supply, Weapons, and CarrierMaintenance

“This award is a reflection of the Sailors aboard our ship who put in the hard work tobringthisshiptolifeeachdayaswarriors, teachers, leaders, and ambassadors at home and abroad,” said Capt. Dave Pollard, commanding officer of George H.W. Bush “Itisalsoatestamentofouryoung firstline leaders who have held high standards and createdacultureofexcellencefor ourmost juniorSailorstolearnandthriveinthroughoutworkupsanddeployment.”

Allpermanentlyassignedpersonnelwho were onboard for at least a day are eligible for the Battle “E” ribbon. Embarked staff, carrier air wing temporary assigned duty and civilian personnel are not eligible The BattleEfficiency“E”AwardsforNavalAviationunitsareoutlinedinCOMNAVAIRFORINST 1650.15N Annual Aviation Related

ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 9,2022)An F/A-18FSuperHornet aircraft,attached to Strike FighterSquadron (VFA) 103,launches from the flight deck ofthe aircraft carrierUSS George H.W.Bush (CVN 77),June 9,2022.The George H.W.Bush CarrierStrike Group (CSG)

AwardsInstruction

George H.W. Bush is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

TheshipsofDESRON-26withinCSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG119).

The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard the George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin’ Dogs”ofVFA-143,the Bluetails”ofCarrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, andthe“Grandmasters”ofHelicopterMaritimeStrikeSquadron(HSM)46

For over 80 years U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forgedstrategicrelationshipswithalliesand partners, leveraging a foundation of shared valuestopreservesecurityandstability

HeadquarteredinNaples Italy NAVEURNAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Commandareasofresponsibility U.S.Sixth FleetispermanentlyassignedtoNAVEURNAVAF, and employs maritime forces throughthefullspectrumofjointandnaval operations TheGeorgeH.W.BushCSGisonascheduled deployment in the NAVEUR area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defendU.S.,allied,andpartnerinterests