June 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy's Carrier Strike Group 1, led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, arrived in Hawaii for training, the Navy announced on Friday.
The strike group includes the aircraft carrier, Carrier Air Wing 2, Destroyer Squadron 1 and the guided-missile destroyers USS O'Kane USS Howard, USS Chafee, USS Dewey and USS Michael Murphy.
The contingent traversed the eastern Pacific Ocean to arrive in the Hawaiian Islands Operating Area to "continue to integrate operations with the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard," the Navy said in a statement.
The branch said the aircraft carrier will conduct Combat Efficiency Operations, including integrated flight operations between the strike-group's carrier-based aircraft and land-based Marine Corps and Air Force fighter squadrons.
C-130 cargo planes of the Coast Guard will also be involved.
"Training in the HIOA is an exciting opportunity to integrate with the other services in order to promote peace and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific," Rear Adm. Dan Martin, commander of CSG-1, said in the release.
"We look forward to enhancing partnerships within the joint force as well as strengthening relationships with our allies and partners in the region," Martin said.
The USS Carl Vinson left the Southern California Operating Areas earlier this month, after officers and crew received COVID-19 vaccinations to prepare for the deployment to Hawaii.
In August 2020, the aircraft carrier underwent a 17-month maintenance availability to accommodate F-35C Lightning II and CMV-22B Osprey aircraft.
Upgrades included installation of enhanced jet blast deflectors to insulate the vessel from the increased heat generated by the F-35C, and the addition of the Autonomic Logistics Information System, a computer network supporting the maintenance and tactical operations functions of the F-35C.