Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group deployment serves a strategic imperative

Adm. Daryl Caudle

NORFOLK, Va.

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command

22 September 2024

Somewhere in Hampton Roads today, a sailor is enjoying one last Sunday brunch with their family. Another is heading to church one last time. At this very moment, more than 6,500 sailors are looking at their watches and counting down to Monday morning.

That's when those members, the warriors of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, will board their ships and depart Naval Station Norfolk for a seven-month deployment. This deployment comes on the heels of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group's nine-month mission, a deployment that highlighted the need for continuity in our sustained presence amid escalating international tensions.

As threats from various actors loom larger, the importance of maintaining a robust, forward-deployed and lethal naval presence cannot be overstated.

The world's oceans are arenas of significant geopolitical maneuvering, and the U.S. Navy plays an indispensable role in ensuring maritime stability along our allies and partners. The recent activities of the Houthis, who have demonstrated their capability to attack both Navy vessels and commercial shipping, illustrate the evolving nature of threats we face. Their missile and drone attacks are not merely isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy to disrupt international trade and assert regional dominance. In this context, the Truman's deployment will serve as a potent deterrent and a safeguard for vital maritime routes.

Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China is the greatest geopolitical challenge that we face as the competitor with the strongest desire to reshape the international order. Beijing's assertive stance in the South China Sea and its growing naval capabilities reflect a broader ambition to revise global norms and institutions to its advantage.

The increasing frequency of joint exercises between the PRC and Russia further complicates the strategic environment, indicating a potential for coordinated actions against U.S. national interests impacting the maritime freedom and prosperity enjoyed by all nations for more than seven decades. The presence of our carrier strike groups in key areas can provide a stabilizing force, reassure allies and partners, and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation in contested waters.

Equally concerning are the aggressive postures of North Korea and Iran. North Korea's missile tests and nuclear ambitions, coupled with Iran's provocative actions in the Persian Gulf, highlight the need for a vigilant and adaptable naval force. The ability of America's Navy to rapidly respond to regional crises and project combat power demonstrates a vital component of our strategic toolkit.

The deployment of our sailors and ships also serve to strengthen alliances and reassure partners. In this pivotal time, the U.S. must demonstrate its leadership and resolve, and the presence of our carrier strike groups sends a clear message of commitment to global security. It fosters collaboration with allied navies, enhances seamless joint operations, and underscores our role as a guarantor of peace and stability.

In addition to these strategic imperatives, the Truman Carrier Strike Group deployment will also contribute to the ongoing training and combat readiness of our naval forces. The operational experience gained through such deployments is invaluable for maintaining a deep bench of skilled warfighters with trust and confidence in their system's reliability, adaptability and lethality in a rapidly changing security environment.

When you see these ships disappearing over the horizon, know this is not just "business as usual" for the Navy, but rather a crucial element of U.S. naval strategy in an era of heightened global tensions. It represents a tangible commitment to upholding maritime security, countering emerging threats and reinforcing our strategic alliances. This deployment underscores the enduring relevance of naval power in meeting head on the complex challenges of the 21st century.

As our sailors get underway on Monday, they do so with the weight of tremendous expectations of success and the responsibility of safeguarding peace on their shoulders. We owe each of them, and the families they leave behind, a debt of gratitude for volunteering to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

Fair winds and following seas, shipmates. You are ready for the mission that stands before you. We are ready to support you. Thank you and know we are grateful for your service to our great nation.

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