As a major participant in the Marshall Islands Campaign, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the Battle off Cape Engaño, planes under the direction of Carrier Division Four, aboard the USS Intrepid, sank Japanese aircraft carriers Zuiho, Zuikaku, and Chiyoda.

In October 1955, Carrier Division Four assumed administrative command of the world's first super-carrier, USS Forrestal (CVA 59).

[citation needed] Carrier Group Four conducted two deployments to the Mediterranean in the late seventies and embarked USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in the Indian Ocean during the 1980 Iranian Hostage Crisis.

In 1983, Carrier Group FOUR served in the Second, Sixth, and Seventh Fleets on USS Carl Vinson's (CVN-70) maiden cruise.

In 1985, Carrier Group FOUR embarked USS Yorktown (CG 48) for the first live missile firing to include command/control/target tracking from a platform different than the missile-firing ship.

Commander, Carrier Striking Force's robust NATO participation included NORTH STAR 91, TEAM WORK 92, and STRONG RESOLVE 95.

For STRONG RESOLVE 95, Commander, Carrier Striking Force acted as the JFACC for part one of the exercise, successfully introducing this advanced concept to NATO.

With the disestablishment of COMSECONDFLT on 30 September 2011, CSFTL was assigned directly to U.S. Fleet Forces Command as an Echelon III command, and was tasked to enable, mentor and assess integrated tactical training in order to ensure the warfighting primacy of Atlantic Fleet Naval Forces.

The mission of CCSG-4 is to execute, mentor, and assess At-Sea (Live), Synthetic and Academic scenario-based integrated training of Atlantic Fleet CSGs, ARGs, independent deployers, and other designated groups, enabling them to operate in integrated, joint, and coalition environments in the conduct of combatant commander tasking.

The exercise requires integration of the CSG's existing warfighting ability with other Joint and Combined assets to support warfare under a challenging threat scenario.

Synthetic training utilizes simulators and role players, and prepares units to go to sea at considerable savings (in fuel, material, etc.)