The Carrier Strike Group Mission
In the CNO Guidance for 2003, Adm. Vernon Clark stipulated that the terms “carrier battle groups” and “amphibious readiness groups” would no longer be the standard terms and that they would be replaced by carrier strike groups (CSGs) and expeditionary strike groups (ESGs), respectively, by March 2003. The goal being to find ways to effectively produce naval capability in a more efficient manner.
Under this initiative, Cruiser-Destroyer Group (CRUDESGRU) and Carrier Group (CARGRU) were designated as CSGs and aligned directly under the numbered fleet commanders. This realignment gives key operational leaders authority and direct access to the people needed to more effectively accomplish the Navy’s mission.
Formerly, CARGRU and CRUDESGRU staffs were under the administrative authority of the air and surface type commanders (TYCOM). With this new initiative, authority and control comes from the numbered fleet commanders who are responsible for the training and certification of the entire strike group. The organizational structure to support the CSGs focuses more on placing strike group commanders under the authority of the certifying officer, or the numbered fleet commander. Under this concept, the warfare distinction of either the air-side or the surface-side is removed and is unified as CSGs.
The Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is employed in a variety of roles, all of which involve gaining and maintaining sea control. The core capabilities of a CSG include: