Mediterranean Sea - Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) reached another deployment milestone, launching its 2,000th aircraft mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Truman launched their first OIR sortie December 28 from the Arabian Gulf, and less than six months later the "Patriots" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the "Rampagers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83 and the "Pukin' Dogs" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 launched as a wave of aircraft soaring past the strike group to complete a 2,000th sortie.
"Two thousand is a strong number -- the result of months of teamwork and dedication of every Sailor [aboard]," said Cmdr. Darren Wilkins, Truman's air boss. "The only thing more impressive than the quantity of flights is their quality. The ship and the air wing have conducted precision combat missions in two operating areas, demonstrating our inherent flexibility and resolve."
The same way aircraft from different squadrons fly together to complete missions, Sailors assigned to Truman, the air wing and strike group had to come together to ensure the success of each flight.
"Since the beginning of this deployment everyone has been working really well as a team," said Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman David Gutierrez. "No one has the mind state they have to do just their job. We all share the same idea of what the end result needs to be."
Truman is not quite done yet. There is still work to be done and the crew will continue to deliver quantity and quality in every endeavor.
"Leadership has really set the bar for us," said Gutierrez. "We've all grown tremendously throughout this deployment and nobody is ready to settle."
Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
