Essex ARG is comprised of the multi-purpose amphibious assault service USS Essex (LHD 2), amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), and dock touchdown ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) led by Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 1.
Marines with the eleventh MEU, embarked aboard the ships of the prepared group, arrived off the coast of Southern California March 2 to disembark to Camp Pendleton, Calif., with a small contingent of MEU personnel remaining aboard the ships for the pierside arrival.
“It’s a nice honor to welcome the Essex ARG and the eleventh MEU again to San Diego,” stated Rear Adm. Wayne Baze, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3. “I’m excited to have them dwelling after a profitable deployment. Their built-in operations whereas at sea are a testomony to the Navy-Marine Corps workforce’s capability to face any problem to perform the mission. I couldn’t be extra happy with the Sailors and Marines and am extremely grateful for the households and buddies they rejoin in the present day who supported them.”
The Essex ARG and eleventh MEU offered numbered fleet and combatant commanders with a responsive, versatile and forward-deployed asset able to maritime energy projection, contingency operations, and disaster response. Their capabilities enabled shaping of the operational setting to guard america and allied pursuits in any risk setting.
“All through the ARG-MEU’s 212-day deployment, I’ve been most humbled to have served alongside a extremely expert workforce of Sailors and Marines,” stated Capt. Karrey Sanders, commander, PHIBRON 1. “Our integration as a mixed blue-green workforce was nothing in need of distinctive, and I’m grateful to haven’t solely showcased our amphibious capabilities all through three Navy fleets collectively however to have created and shared numerous recollections that can final a lifetime.”
Throughout deployment, Sailors and Marines supported Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. The ARG-MEU workforce additionally supported Massive Scale Train 21, Train Indigo Defender 21, Purple Sea Maritime Safety Operations, Marine Train Philippines 22, and Noble Fusion 22.
In U.S. fifth Fleet, from September 2021 to January 2022, the ARG-MEU workforce operated within the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Gulf, Purple Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Indian Ocean. The workforce carried out theater amphibious fight rehearsals in Kuwait, sustaining their readiness and proficiency in a number of full mission profiles. Throughout Train Indigo Defender, the Marines and Sailors spent two weeks with Royal Saudi Naval Forces Western Fleet conducting bilateral coaching in amphibious operations, a mass casualty drill, and built-in fires coaching to reinforce proficiency and readiness whereas sustaining a tiered disaster response posture within the U.S. Central Command space of accountability.
Ships of the ARG additionally participated in particular person maritime workouts with the Pakistan, Egypt, Israel and India navies the place ships carried out superior maneuvers and communication drills to showcase talents to function collectively in a dynamic setting, and check and refine mixed command and management processes.
Whereas working in U.S. seventh Fleet supporting U.S. Indo-Pacific Command from January to February 2022, the ARG carried out expeditionary strike power operations with the Carl Vinson Provider Strike Group (CSG) within the South China Sea. ESF operations display U.S. functionality to rapidly mixture an built-in naval power to function all-domain warfare wherever worldwide legislation permits.
The ARG-MEU workforce participated in dual-carrier and dual-ARG coaching, with models from Essex ARG, Carl Vinson CSG, Abraham Lincoln CSG, America ARG, and Japan Maritime Self-Protection Drive working alongside each other within the Philippine Sea.
“We’ve got an distinctive workforce made up of the world-class Marines and Sailors of the eleventh Marine Expeditionary Unit and Essex Amphibious Prepared Group,” stated Col. James Energetic, eleventh MEU’s commanding officer. “I’m humbled by their dedication to excellence, resilience, and professionalism all through this seven month deployment. We’re certainly grateful to be dwelling and grateful for all of the help from our households and buddies whereas we have been away.”
Throughout deployment, Essex ARG operated with embarked forces from Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron 21, in addition to detachments from Assault Craft Unit 5, Fleet Surgical Group 3, Navy Seaside Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, and Tactical Air Management Squadron 11. The eleventh MEU consists of the command ingredient; the aviation fight ingredient, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Strengthened) and Marine Assault Squadron (VMA) 214; the bottom fight ingredient, Battalion Touchdown Group 1/1; and the logistics fight ingredient, Fight Logistics Battalion 11.
As an integral a part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. third Fleet operates naval forces within the Indo-Pacific along with offering reasonable and related coaching essential to flawlessly execute our Navy’s timeless roles of sea management and energy projection. U.S. third Fleet works in shut coordination with different numbered Fleets to offer commanders with succesful, prepared forces to deploy ahead and win in day-to-day competitors, in disaster, and in battle.
For extra details about the ARG-MEU workforce, please go to: https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/lhd2
