Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman carrier returns Monday
The USS Harry S. Truman carrier — and the 5,000 sailors onboard — will return Monday to Norfolk following a nine-month deployment.
Residents are likely to spot the carrier, which stretches more than 1,000 feet, Monday morning as it enters the Chesapeake Bay and heads toward Naval Station Norfolk. The carrier is expected to be pier-side at 11 a.m., a Fleet Forces spokesperson confirmed.
The carrier and its strike group operated in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area from December to late August. The deployment initially was scheduled for six months, but the strike group’s stay was extended in April as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Truman Strike Group was supported by the cruiser USS San Jacinto and the guided missile destroyers USS Cole, USS Bainbridge, USS Gonzalez, USS Gravely, USS Forrest Sherman, and USS Jason Dunham. San Jacinto returned Thursday, while the Cole and Bainbridge returned Friday.
The last of the group, destroyer USS Gonzalez, is scheduled to return the following week.
The Truman carrier was relieved by the USS George H.W. Bush, which left Norfolk Aug. 10 with a new strike group in tow.
Caitlyn Burchett, 727-267-6059, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
