YOKOSUKA, Japan - The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) March 26 after completing five months of successful operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

Arriving within weeks of 7th Fleet’s 70th anniversary March 15, JCSCSG follows countless ships, aircraft and Sailors that deployed to the region over the past 70 years to maintain security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Like their predecessors, the JCSCSG deployment speaks to the Navy’s ongoing commitment to this vital maritime region.

“Our commitment to security and stability in this region remains firm and we continue to engage with our enduring maritime partners as well,” said Rear Adm. Mike Shoemaker, commander of the JCSCSG. “We are more of a global force than we have ever been and building those relationships has a significant impact on the global security environment.”

While in the 7th Fleet, the JCSCSG will conduct training and engage with our maritime partners to enhance these partnerships and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Asian Pacific region.

“The crew has performed exceptionally well throughout this deployment, and we’ll continue our focus on mission-readiness as we operate in the U.S. 7th Fleet AOR,” said Capt. Ron Reis, Stennis’ commanding officer. “Whether conducting operations to support our combatant commanders or providing humanitarian assistance to those in need, we remain ready for any challenge.”

The U.S. 7th Fleet AOR spans 48 million square miles (124 million square kilometers), from the International Date Line to the Western Indian Ocean.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) departed from its homeport in Bremerton, Wash. August 2012. The JCSCSG is comprised of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).