The Nimitz-class carrier USS Harry S. Truman, the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG), is one of the US Navy's most decorated ships.

The Truman CSG in September deployed to the US Naval Forces-Africa/US Sixth Fleet area of operations as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.

The CSG includes the Nimitz-class USS Truman, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Stout.

As of November 18, the strike group was transiting to the Mediterranean after completing operations with allies and partners in the Norwegian Sea, according to USNI News.

First launched in 1996, the USS Truman has received 10 Battle E awards for "superior performance and command readiness throughout a year-long evaluation."

Its most recent Battle E was awarded in April 2021, recognition of the super carrier's high level of readiness for all of 2020.

Launch capabilities

The USS Truman is equipped and manned to perform at the highest level.

Its powerful Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) is composed of eight squadrons and one detachment, with about 36 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters on board for both air-to-surface and air-to-air strike missions.

One electronic warfare squadron flies EA-18G Growlers, providing tactical jamming of adversary communication capabilities and electronic protection to US forces.

The early warning squadron is outfitted with E-2D Hawkeyes, while logistical support comes from C-2A Greyhound aircraft.

Meanwhile, the wing's maritime strike and helicopter combat squadrons fly anti-submarine sorties using MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawks.

This array of aircraft ensures force protection and power projection across air, land and sea, attacking the adversary from all directions.

Nimitz-class carriers such as the USS Truman can launch two aircraft and land one every 37 seconds during daylight. During the night, it can launch and land one aircraft per minute, according to a report by RAND Corporation.

When conducting an Alpha strike -- a large-scale air attack by all of the carrier's available fighters -- the USS Truman could potentially launch all 36 of its Super Hornets in about 20 minutes.

This capacity enables the carrier to respond to any type of threat or execute a land attack quickly with maximum combat power.