USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (IKE) Carrier Strike Group returns from combat deployment

The IKE Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to Norfolk, Virginia, after a historic nine-month combat deployment to U.S. 5th Fleet on July 14. On-board was Grand Island native Lt. Carlee Conway. She was part of Fighter Strike squadron, VFA-32, the “Fighting Swordsmen.”

The Carrier Strike Group engaged in combat operations in the Middle East region from November 2023 to June. In total, IKE CSG warships launched 155 standard missiles, and 135 TLAMs from their vertical launch system across self-defense and pre-planned strikes. IKE CSG aircraft expended nearly 60 air-to-air missiles and released 420 air-to-surface weapons.

Conway flew more than 115 missions during this time.

The Houthi targets in Yemen posed an immediate threat to U.S., coalition, and merchant shipping, and these strikes were designed to degrade Houthi offensive capabilities.

Several aviators to, including Conway, were awarded personal medals for their exemplary actions against the Dec. 31, Jan. 9, and subsequent Houthi attacks on IKE CSG units. At sea, USS Philippine Sea and USS Gravely successfully escorted over 28 high-value, vulnerable units conducting innocent passage through the Strait of Hormuz, gulfs of Oman and Aden, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and through the Red Sea.

Conway returns to the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier with her F/A18F Super-Hornet jet after a mission.

Information courtesy of the U.S. Navy and the Conway family.