 Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Enders 5th Fleet. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet. Story by Navcent. Saturday, April 3, 2021. The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, CVN 69, flagship of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, ICCSG, along with guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey, CG 61, and guided-missile destroyers USS Mitcher, DDG 57, and USS Thomas Hedner, DDG 116, completed a southbound Suez Canal transit into the Red Sea, April 2. The ICCSG's transit marks the first U.S. warships to pass through the Suez Canal since it reopened on March 29. We appreciate the government of Egypt and Suez Canal authorities' efforts to ensure the safety of navigation in this critical waterway for all ships, and in allowing the ICCSG to transit so quickly, said Vice Admiral Samuel Payparo, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. While in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, the ICCSG will operate and train alongside regional and coalition partners, and provide naval aviation support to Operation Inherent Resolve. Our strike group is excited to sail and fly in the conduct of our operations in the Red Sea, said Rear Admiral Scott F. Robertson, Commander Carrier Strike Group II. The importance of our regional partnerships throughout U.S. 5th Fleet cannot be overstated in enhancing our relationship with Egypt is a continuation in fostering both trust and unity in our enduring maritime efforts. As an inherently flexible maneuver force, capable of supporting routine and contingency operations, the Carrier's presence demonstrates the U.S. Navy's commitment to regional partners and maritime security. Deploying ships and aircraft of the strike group, commanded by Rear Admiral Scott F. Robertson, include flagship USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, CVN 69, the Teconderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Monterey, CG 61, destroyer squadron 22 ships include Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Mitcher, DDG 57, USS Laboon, DDG 58, USS Mayan, DDG 72, USS Thomas Hudner, DDG 116. Squadrons of Carrier Air Wing, CVW 3, embarked on Eisenhower include the fighting swordsmen of Strike Fighter Squadron, VFA 32, Gunslingers of Strike Fighter Squadron, VFA 105, Wildcats of Strike Fighter Squadron, VFA 131, Rampagers of Strike Fighter Squadron, VFA 83, Dusty Dogs of Helicopter C. Combat Squadron, HSC 7, Swamp Foxes of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron, HSM 74, Scretops of Airborne Command and Control Squadron, VA 123, Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron, VAC 130 and a Detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron, VRC 40, The Rawhides. The fifth fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three choke points, critical to the free flow of global commerce.