The strike group departed Norfolk on 13 October 2004 for an extended deployment under the command of Rear Admiral Michael C. Tracy. The strike group participates in the Joint Maritime Course (JMC-043) north of Scotland between 25–28 October 2004. JMC-043 included strike, surface, and submarine warfare exercises with a multi-national force. CARSTRKGRU 10 subsequently paid by a port visit to Souda Bay, Crete, between 5–8 November 2004. Despite plans to cross the equator and visited South Africa, diplomatic issues caused the strike group to transit the Suez Canal, stopping in Portsmouth, England, prior to returning to the United States on 19 April 2005.