US, UK and France Begin Exercise Alligator Dagger 17
U.S., U.K. and France began Exercise Alligator Dagger 17, April 5. The two-week multilateral amphibious exercise is taking place in international waters off the coast of Djibouti and in the vicinity of Djibouti and Arta Beach, April 5 - April 20. Exercise Alligator Dagger 17, led by U.S. Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (51/5), is a multilateral amphibious exercise with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as part of the sustainment training for ARG/MEUs in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The Alligator Dagger Exercise iterations familiarize ARG/MEUs with the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR) and sharpen tactical proficiency.
USS Carter Hall enters Black Sea
The amphibious Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall has entered the Black Sea, the Naples-headquartered US 6th fleet press service said. "The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in the Black Sea March 17, to participate in bilateral training exercise Spring Storm 17 with Romania," the press service said in a statement. Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) is participating in the Romanian-led maritime exercise SPRING STORM 17, taking place in the vicinity of Constanta, Romania, March 18-21, in the Black Sea. Carter Hall will work alongside Romanian maritime forces to develop interoperability and proficiency. U.S.
USS Oscar Austin Deploys to 6th fleet
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) departed Naval Station Norfolk Nov. 21 for a deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). The ship will conduct maritime security operations and provide theater security cooperation efforts within the AOR. Oscar Austin will deploy with ScanEagle, an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) designed to provide real-time, low-altitude reconnaissance. The crew recently participated in Baltic Operations 2014, a multinational exercise in the Baltic Sea. Exercise goals were to improve maritime safety and security through increased interoperability and cooperation among participating nations. "The crew has worked hard to prepare this ship for deployment," said Cmdr. Russel Sanchez, Oscar Austin's commanding officer.
US Warship Departs for Final Deployment
To begin the ship's final deployment, USS Simpson (FFG 56) departed her homeport Nov. 14, for regularly scheduled theater security missions in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Commanded by Cmdr. Ken Anderson, the crew concluded a highly-successful maintenance availability and intense training exercises, and was outfitted with four Fire Scout (MQ-8B) vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicles prior to departure. Simpson returned from her last 6th Fleet…
USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Group Deploys
More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) departed for deployment from Norfolk and Camp Lejeune, N.C. The deployment is to support Maritime Security Operations, provide crisis response capability, increase theater security cooperation and provide forward naval presence in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. The IWO JIMA ARG/24 MEU is comprised of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8…
USS Ashland Captures Pirates
At approximately 5:00 a.m. local time April 10, USS Ashland (LSD 48), was fired upon by a skiff manned by suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 330 nautical miles off the coast of Djibouti. During the attack, Ashland received small arms fire on the port side from the six man crew of suspected pirates aboard the skiff. Ashland, in accordance with her rules of engagement, returned fire. USS Ashland fired two rounds at the skiff from her MK-38 Mod 2, 25mm gun. The skiff caught fire and the suspected pirates abandoned the skiff.
Iwo Jima ESG to Assist in Evacuation Efforts
U.S. Navy photo by Lithographer Shanika L. U.S. Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have been directed to assist in the authorized departure of American citizens from Lebanon. The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon has requested military assistance to help American citizens who wish to depart Lebanon to leave in a secure and orderly manner. Commander, Task Force 59, Marine Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen, is in Cyprus directing military efforts to provide support to the Embassy. The ESG and MEU are operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations and expect to be in place to provide assistance later this week.
U.S. and British Navies Aid Evacuation Efforts
The International Tribune has reported that a five-ship United States naval group and a British flotilla were en route to Lebanon today to aid in evacuation efforts. The Navy said it was sending a strike group led by the amphibious-assault ship Iwo Jima to assist in the departure of some of the 25,000 Americans in Lebanon. The ships have hospital facilities, and carry 2,200 marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. That unit includes a helicopter squadron that has already ferried scores of Americans to safety from Beirut, beginning with children, the elderly and those with medical problems. The marine unit is “special operations-capable,” the Navy said.
