USS Nitze returns from deployment

ByPettyOfficer2ndClass

CrytonVandiesal

Carrier Strike Group 10

NORFOLK, Va

The Arleigh Burkeclass guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG94)returnedtoitshomeportofNaval StationNorfolk,April5,2023,followingan eight-monthdeploymenttotheU.S.5thand 6th Fleet areas of operation.

Nitze deployed July 17, 2022, following completionofafour-weekcompositetrainingunitexercisewithCarrierStrikeGroup (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush CSG

While operating in U.S. 5th Fleet, Nitze and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) recovered two U.S. Saildrone Explorer unmannedsurfacevehiclescapturedbyan Iranian ship in the Red Sea.

Cmdr Katie Jacobson relieved Cmdr Sam Sareini as commanding officer during achangeofcommandceremonyintheGulf of Aden, Sept. 28

Nitze worked with the Yemen Coast Guard to respond to a fire onboard a small motorboat in the Gulf of Aden, Oct. 26 rescuing three Yemeni civilians Additionally, Nitze worked with the U.S. Air Force to deconflict air space for the President of the United States during a United Nations conference

As part of Operation Unified Takedown, the ship completed maritime interdiction and security operations supporting regional maritime stability through counter-narcotics and counter-weapons smuggling operations During Unified Takedown, Nitze completed numerous visit, board, search, and seizure operations,resultingintheseizureof2,200kilograms of hash and 320 kilograms of crystal methamphetamineworthanestimated$43 million.

The ship left U.S. 5th Fleet and rejoined the George H.W. Bush CSG in the Mediterranean Sea, where the ship participated in Exercise Juniper Oak 23-2, the largest bi-lateral U.S.-Israeli exercise in history, and the NATO-led vigilance activity Neptune Strike 23.1. Nitze also worked to strengthen interoperability during the French-led, multi-national Exercise ORION

“I am incredibly proud of my crew and the excellence they achieved while conducting high risk, high visibility mission sets during this extended deployment,” Jacobson said. “Our officers and crew advanced maritime security at sea, served as ambassadors ashore, and seamlessly integrated with our allies and partners Theyembodiedourmantraof Better Every Day’ and reflected superbly on the United States and the U.S. Navy.”

Throughout the deployment, the crew had the opportunity to experience the regions of Rota, Spain; Eilat, Israel; Aqaba, Jordan; Salalah, Oman; Duqm, Oman; Djibouti;Rome Italy;Gölcük,Türkiye;and Valletta,Maltaduringscheduledportvisits Additionally the crew hosted key 13 of 15 leaders, including the U.S. Ambassadors to Türkiye and Malta, strengthening important allied and partner relationships across the theaters.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) 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,andtheTiconderoga-classguided-missilecruiserUSSLeyteGulf(CG55).

The ships of DESRON-26 completing deploymentwithinCSG-10aretheArleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers Nitze USSTruxtun(DDG103),andDelbert D. Black.

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”ofVFA-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” ofHelicopterSeaCombatSquadron(HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46

For more information about USS Nitze (DDG 94) or U.S. 2nd Fleet, contact C2F_ PAO@navy.mil.