By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) made its first transit through the Suez Canal as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Sept. 23.
San Antonio's first transit through the Suez Canal marked its entry into the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
San Antonio relied on the skill and expertise of its Sailors to successfully maneuver the Suez Canal's navigational challenges.
One of the challenges of the transit was the narrow passage San Antonio had to navigate.
San Antonio is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations (MSO) in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of operations. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.