USS CARL VINSON CSG TO VISIT REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will visit the Republic of Korea (ROK) Jan. 11.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) will visit Busan; USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Stockdale (DDG 106) will visit Chinhae.

The Carl Vinson CSG is conducting a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. While in port, the crews will participate in community service projects, as well as sporting events, with the ROK Navy.

"Regular visits to ports in this region are an important part of our presence and engagement here. We are not only allies but we've been fortunate to forge real friendships with the Korean people," said Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, Carl Vinson CSG commander. "Through the events we have planned in Busan and Chinhae, our Sailors are looking forward to learning more about this wonderful culture and strengthening an already healthy relationship."

In addition to the surface ships attached to the strike group, Carl Vinson is home to Destroyer Squadron 1 and Carrier Air Wing 17, which includes: the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 15; the "Fighting Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22; the "Fists of the Fleet" of VFA 25; the "Sunliners" of VFA 81; the "Stingers" of VFA 113; the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40; the "Garudas" of Electronic Attack Squadron 134; and the "Tigertails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125.

"For many of our Sailors, this will be their first visit to a foreign land," said Perez. "We feel very fortunate that they'll be able to experience that here and build relationships they'll remember for years to come."

The U.S. Navy maintains a robust forward presence in the Asia-Pacific region, utilizing both forward deployed naval forces in Japan and Guam, as well as rotationally deployed forces from the continental United States and Hawaii.

Carrier Strike Group 1 was formally established October 1, 2009, and led Carl Vinson and Bunker Hill when the ships supported disaster response and humanitarian operations in Haiti in 2010.

This is Bunker Hill's first deployment since it underwent cruiser modernization, the first Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser to complete its mid-life modernization.

This is Stockdale's maiden deployment, and Carl Vinson's first deployment to 7th Fleet since 2005.

AMR