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U.S. Navy Strike Group in Theater

Navy Rear Admiral Raymond Spicer, commander of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, says "whether Enterprise strike group is protecting coalition troops on the ground, conducting planned strikes on known terrorist sites, or providing airborne command and control for our coalition partners, we have demonstrated our ability to operate as a combat-ready naval force capable of sustained combat operations, deterring aggression, preserving freedom of the seas, and promoting peace and security."

Admiral Spicer added that the Navy-Marine Corps team is also conducting its own maritime security operations, and believes "the American people would be proud too if they knew just how hard these sailors and Marines have been working and just how tremendously effective they`ve been at what they`ve been doing."

The group has been on deployment for almost five months. To get an idea of the stress the sailors and airmen are put through, in only two months (June and July) Enterprise aircraft launched 781 aircraft sorties to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and 237 aircraft sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The land-based aircraft contingent there focuses on ISR efforts, as well as counter-improvised explosive device efforts and close-air support.