Nimitz CSG Ships Arrive in South Korea

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is moored near the Republic of Korean submarine Sohn Won-il (SSK 072) at Busan Naval Base. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is taking part in Exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008, an annual joint exercise involving forces from the U.S. and the ROK. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lou Rosales From Nimitz Carrier Strike Group 11 Public Affairs

USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Princeton (CG 59) and USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) arrived in Busan, Feb. 28, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008 (KR/FE 08). Additionally, the guided-missile destroyer USS Chaffee (DDG 90) arrived in Donghae and the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) pulled into Pohang Feb. 28. During these port visits, Sailors will participate in friendship building activities, meet local citizens, experience local customs and traditions, and enjoy the many recreational activities offered in Busan, Donghae and Pohang, Republic of Korea (ROK).

The deployment of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz to backfill USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) while the Kitty Hawk undergoes maintenance exemplifies U.S. commitment to peace and stability in the Pacific Region. While in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, the Nimitz Strike Group will participate in KR/FE 08, which was formerly known as the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration Exercise or RSOI. Key Resolve reflects the transition to a Republic of Korea-led exercise program. The joint and combined field training exercise referred to as Foal Eagle will be linked with Key Resolve, as it has been linked with RSOI for the past several years. KR/FE 08, like all other Combined Forces Command exercises is designed to improve the command's ability to defend ROK. The Nimitz CSG is commanded by Rear Adm. Terry Blake.

"Our goal is to maintain and strengthen our alliances and friendships in the region," said Blake. The Nimitz CSG is comprised of Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz; its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11; embarked Destroyer Squadron 23; the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59); the guided-missile destroyers USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), USS Higgins (DDG 76), and USS Chafee (DDG 90); Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 "Scorpions," HSL 37 "Easy Riders"; and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11.

CVW-11's squadrons include the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, the "Black Aces" of VFA-41, the "Sunliners" of VFA-81, the "Wallbangers" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117, the "Red Devils" of Marine Corps Strike Fighter Squadron 232, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Warfare Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6. Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, the 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time.