7,000 sailors with George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group to return to Norfolk on Monday

7,000 sailors with George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group to return to Norfolk on Monday
By Courtney Mabeus
The Virginian-Pilot
Aug 16, 2017 Updated Aug 16, 2017
NORFOLK
As many as 7,000 sailors from the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group will return Monday, though those assigned to its air wing will begin arriving today.

The aircraft carrier deployed Jan. 21 from Naval Station Norfolk and has supported operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria from the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf.

It deployed with the Norfolk-based guided missile destroyer USS Truxton, which is also returning Monday. The Mayport, Fla.-based guided missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea and Hue City also will return in coming days.

Other ships from Destroyer Squadron 22, which deployed at various times and joined the Bush strike group, returned in June and July.

The Bush’s embarked Carrier Air Wing 8 flew 11,347 sorties, of which 1,924 were combat missions, and dropped more than 1,717 pieces of ordnance, setting a post-Desert Storm record, Naval Air Force Atlantic said Wednesday. Aircraft and personnel will return today and Friday to Norfolk’s Chambers Field. Fighter jet squadrons will return to Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach on Friday, the Navy said.