Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group to Depart for Middle East in First NIFC-CA Deployment

The Navy’s most technologically capable carrier is shipping out for a Middle East deployment on Monday.
The departure of Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG) from Norfolk, Va. and Naval Station Mayport, Fla. will mark the first deployment of a Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air—or NIFC-CA CSG.
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) and a squadron of Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye maritime surveillance aircraft form the backbone of the capability that creates a network of sensors and shooters the service promises to greatly extend the lethal range of the CSG.
The Navy declared an initial operational capability (IOC) for the E-2s late last year.
In addition to Normandy — the CSG also includes the Norfolk-based guided missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) and Mayport destroyer USS Farragut (DDG-99).
Roosevelt completed a refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) last year and its crew and the sailors of the CSG have been conducting preparatory exercises since the start of this year.
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