WASHINGTON, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on Monday began operations as part of the U.S. 6th Fleet, which is in charge of the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the U.S. Navy said in a statement.
The Abraham Lincoln CSG will participate in realistic training to increase the capabilities of U.S. allies and strengthen partnerships through multilateral events, according to the statement.
The strike group includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, Carrier Air Wing 7, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser U.S.S. Leyte Gulf, and destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 2.
According to U.S. media, Carrier Air Wing 7 includes nine squadrons and detachments, while Destroyer Squadron 2 includes the U.S.S. Bainbridge, the U.S.S. Mason and the U.S.S. Nitze.
"The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group has worked tremendously hard to prepare for our operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet," said Rear Admiral John Wade, commander of the strike group. "We are poised and ready to perform our mission."
The strike group left the United States on April 1.
Currently the John C. Stennis CSG is operating in the Gulf of Oman while the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group is in the Persian Gulf.
