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Team Vinson Departs U.S. 7th Fleet - The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and Malaysian frigate KD Lekir (FSG 26)
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By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Travis S. Alston
USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (May 23, 2015) (NNS) -- Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 departed the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations (AOR) after supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, May 23.
Vinson is currently transiting to her homeport in San Diego following an almost 10-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf. While in 7th Fleet, Team Vinson participated in various bi-lateral training events with Malaysian air and surface units, hosted several groups of distinguished visitors,
including a group from India and Sri Lanka, and enjoyed port visits in Perth, Australia; Phuket, Thailand and Bali, Indonesia.
"During our time in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility we were able to strengthen the partnership between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Malaysian military," said Rear Adm. Chris Grady, Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group commander. "The exercises we conducted in the South China Sea enhanced the interoperability of our forces and reaffirms our commitment to the Asia-Pacific region."
Having been deployed for nearly 10 months, some Team Vinson members are set to depart the ship in Hawaii to reunite with their loved ones ahead of the ship returning to homeport. This will assist ship leadership in providing accommodation arrangements for the many crew member friends and family riding the ship from Hawaii to San Diego during the Tiger Cruise.
"Although I would love the opportunity to witness and participated in all the homecoming festivities, I decided to depart in Hawaii and fly home to my family," said Yeoman 2nd Class Tio Lathen.
"This is not my first deployment, but has definitely been one of the more rewarding ones. I was able to accomplish a lot and took advantage of the time spent at sea."
USS Carl Vinson enters the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation, May 23.
For more news from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), visit www.facebook.com/USSVINSON.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr.
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