A group of ships centered on an aircraft carrier. The group will contain a carrier, one or two cruisers, one or two destroyers, a frigate, supply ship, and a submarine or two. The ships will operate together when in restricted water ways, such as straights or other tight areas.

The group is designed for maximum protection of the carrier as well as maximum projection of power. When the ships are on a normal deployment they will break up and spend a good deal of time showing the flag in as many different locations as possible. For example when we deployed on MED 1-92 the USS America spent a good deal of time in the western Med while we operated in the Red Sea and the remaining ships were spread out all over the Med, Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and Turkey. Who knows where the subs were.

In recent years the Battle Group has been renamed to take away its menacing name. It is now know as a Carrier Strike Group. Even with this name it still packs one major punch. It is no wonder when there is a problem any place around the world the president will ask, “Where are the carriers?”