26Th Marine Expeditionary Unit News

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces, Adm. Phil Davidson, has ordered the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), with elements from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to get underway from their homeport in Mayport Oct. Both ships are directed to be in position to support the gulf coast region in the event assistance is needed following Tropical Storm Nate, which is currently projected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall. Once employed, our Navy and Marine Corps team has capabilities that will be uniquely effective in disaster relief efforts. To support these capabilities, the combined aircraft on the two ships are three U.S.

The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), along with multiple embarked Navy and Marine Corps units, completed initial rescue and recovery operations in support of federal and state officials Sept. 17, following Hurricane Irma's devastation of the Florida Keys. Iwo Jima and New York are scheduled to return home Sept 19. Led by Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, the Navy and Marine Corps units partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and with state and local officials until civilian authorities and the Florida National Guard could take over long-term recovery operations.

The amphibious assault ships USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) along with the Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are supporting the lead federal agency in providing humanitarian relief efforts for Hurricane Irma. Wasp, the first Navy platform to arrive in the vicinity of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is providing medium and heavy lift helicopters to transport people and supplies. Wasp's helicopters are conducting medical evacuations for intensive care patients from St. Thomas to St. Croix and conducting site assessments on the initial damage in St. Thomas. Wasp departed for Sasebo, Japan, Aug. 30, to assume duties as the forward-deployed flagship of the amphibious force of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) flagship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) celebrated the Navy’s 240th birthday Oct. 13, 2015. The Kearsarge ARG team is comprised of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), and embarked Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), which departed the U.S. on October 6, 2015. Kearsarge celebrated the event with 1MC announcements throughout the day, a cake cutting and singing during a ceremony aboard. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps.

Sailors from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) and Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) kicked off the KSGARG/MEU Exercise (ARGMEUEX) in the waters east of of the United States June 13. The KSGARG comprises Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4, 26th MEU, amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) and dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51). According to Kearsarge Command Master Chief David Twiford, ARGMEUEX is a more than two-week exercise that gives the KSGARG the opportunity to come together and work on integration in preparation for deployment. "These ships go through a cycle every couple years to get ready to deploy," said Twiford. "The MEU does the same thing.

The three amphibious ships supporting Hurricane Sandy relief efforts off the coast of New York & New Jersey return to their homeports in Virginia. Operations in support of relief have shifted into the recovery phase and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are fully operational and providing sustained assistance as requested by state and local authorities. Navy and Marine Corps forces aboard the ships systematically transitioned the services…

Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) pulls out of the Naval Station Rota Harbor. Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group conducted a port visit to Rota after conducting maritime operations in support of the global war on terrorism. U.S. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and elements of the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) successfully entered the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of operations (AOO) on June 26, as the group sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean. Bataan ESG stayed busy in the 6th Fleet AOO for approximately three weeks before making the trip toward home. As the flagship of the ESG, Bataan accomplished both internal unit level goals and assignments from the fleet commander during that time.

Amphibious transport dock USS Shreveport (LPD 12) arrives in Souda Bay for a scheduled port visit. Shreveport is part of the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group on deployment in support of maritime security operations (MSO) in both the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR). U.S. When USS Shreveport (LPD 12) homeports in early July, it will be for the last time. A 37-year-old amphibious docking ship, Shreveport is completing one last deployment prior to a scheduled Sept. 28 decommissioning. The current and final commanding officer of the Shreveport, Capt. Paul Monger, said he understands why the Navy is retiring a ship that is still operationally effective. “We had some Kenyan generals out here that said, ‘Why would you decommission a ship like this? It looks great.

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Michael Raines signals to the load master of a Landing Craft Utility (LCU) to raise the bow ramp prior to departure from the well deck of amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) which help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ken J. The crew aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) successfully conducted their first landing craft utility (LCU) operations in almost a year while underway in the Persian Gulf on April 7.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway speaks with Marines and Sailors from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan left her homeport of Norfolk, Va., Jan. 4 on a regularly scheduled deployment as the flagship for the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). Bataan ESG is conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) which help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material. U.S.

Ships of the Bataan Strike Group performed maritime security operations (MSO) Feb. 25 to March 1 in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's area of responsibility. MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. “Every ship in the Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is actively engaged in MSO,” said Cmdr. Timothy Spratto, Bataan Strike Group chief staff officer. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material. “We’ll partner with regional allies or multinational coalition forces to supoort security in various regions,” said Cmdr.

The dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) began Image Nautilus 2007 on Feb. 5 by successfully offloading the MEU and their supplies in Djibouti on the northeast coast of Africa. The two-week operation, which also includes Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 and Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 2, allows the Sailors of Oak Hill and the embarked Marine assets the chance to work and train together. Oak Hill successfully offloaded the MEU and many of their supplies to the beach, including M1A1 Abrams tanks, trucks and HMMVVs, with the assistance of two landing craft air cushions (LCACs) from ACU 4. “The amphibious projection of power from ship to shore is one of Oak Hill’s primary missions,” said Cmdr. Ray Stapf, Oak Hill’s commanding officer.

Sailors and Marines man the rails as the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) departs Naval Station Norfolk. Bataan is the command ship for the Bataan Expeditionary Strike group (ESG), which is deploying to conduct maritime security operations in support of the ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces. U.S. The Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) entered U.S. 6th Fleet’s area of operations Jan. 10 in support of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe’s initiative to strengthen emerging and enduring partnerships with the nations and navies of Greece, France, Morocco, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Malta. While in theater, approximately 6,000 U.S.

The multipurpose amphibious assault ship, USS Bataan (LHD 5), departed her homeport Jan. 4 as the flagship of the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) for a regularly scheduled six-month deployment. The deployment marks the first time Bataan has deployed overseas since 2004. The Bataan ESG deployed to conduct maritime security operations in support of the ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces. “Together with the Marines, the Bataan ESG is an ample force to show presence, agility and mobility,” said Capt. Donna Looney, Bataan Strike Group commander. The list of exercises and certifications the crew completed last year includes ESG Integration Exercise (ESGINT), Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), and Certification Exercise (CERTEX).