USS Essex (LHD 2)

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Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on November 4, 2015 at 3:41pm

Essex Amphibious Ready Group and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Depart U.S. 5th Fleet...

Story Number: NNS151031-01Release Date: 10/31/2015 8:07:00 PM
By Essex Amphibious Ready Group public affairs

INDIAN OCEAN (NNS) -- The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) Nov. 1.

While on station in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO, the ARG and MEU supported theater security cooperation efforts and provided a forward naval presence with crisis response, humanitarian assistance and combat capabilities. Additionally, MEU and ARG elements engaged in many operations and exercises, including bi-lateral training with the French military in Djibouti, and training with Jordanian marines. The ARG/MEU team also conducted more than a dozen subject matter expert exchanges with partner nations throughout the region.

Beginning in mid-August, AV-8B Harriers assigned to the MEU's aviation combat element launched from Essex's flight deck as part of the multinational coalition participating in Operation Inherent Resolve. The missions continued until mid-October when Essex began preparations to depart the theater.

The Essex ARG and 15th MEU deployed from San Diego, May 11 on a scheduled deployment.

The Essex ARG, commanded by Capt. Clint Carroll, includes the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), the amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), as well as various supporting elements from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 1, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 1, Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 11 and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21.

"During the Essex Amphibious Ready Group's time in the 5th Fleet area of operations, real-world issues and the resultant mission tasking drove the schedule," said Carroll. "The ARG's success in the region speaks to the inherent adaptability, versatility and mobility of the ARG-MEU construct and to the Sailors and Marines who routinely performed no-fail missions with eye-watering precision in one of the world's most unforgiving environments."

The 15th MEU, commanded by Col. Vance Cryer, is comprised of the aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 (Reinforced); the ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines; the logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion and a command element.

"While deployed to 5th Fleet, the MEU was employed throughout and beyond the theater, engaging and supporting regional partners, providing operational support to vital missions, and maintaining readiness and tactical proficiency," said Cryer. "The MEU showed flexibility and responsiveness operating across combatant command boundaries providing joint enabling force capabilities to the Fleet commanders, clearly demonstrating the value of forward-deployed amphibious forces for regional security."

With the 5th Fleet behind them, the nearly 4,500 Sailors and Marines of the Essex ARG and 15th MEU enters the U.S. 7th Fleet AOO to continue operations there before completing their scheduled seven-month deployment.

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on November 4, 2015 at 3:41pm

ARABIAN SEA (Oct. 30, 2015) An MV-22 Osprey from the “Greyhawks” of Marine Medium-Lift Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 (Reinforced) lands on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is the flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bradley J. Gee/Released)

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on October 9, 2015 at 5:57pm

ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 09, 2015) Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Sean McAdams examines hazardous materials to ensure safety regulations are met aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is the flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Molly A. Sonnier/Released)

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on September 21, 2015 at 11:59am

ARABIAN GULF (Sept. 18, 2015) Sailors from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), conduct routine maintenance on a landing craft air cushion (LCAC). Essex, the flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Donavan K. Patubo/Released)

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on August 22, 2015 at 12:03am

Even though none of us here on deployment have access to our vehicles...We still find time to drive...Big shout-out to the MWR team for a fun day out in the sun!

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on August 12, 2015 at 5:34pm

Manama, Bahrain post via fb

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on August 8, 2015 at 3:12pm

Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) load ammunition into a MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS). (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on July 11, 2015 at 11:19am

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on June 26, 2015 at 10:55am

INDIAN OCEAN (June 24, 2015) Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) fires its MK 38 MOD 2 25 mm machine gun during a general quarters drill. Essex, part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bradley J. Gee/Released)

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on June 19, 2015 at 7:27am

U.S. Sailors and Marines with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit join to celebrate the Hospital Corps’ 117th birthday aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Indian Ocean, June 17, 2015. During the ceremony, hospital corpsmen spoke before their fellow Marines and Sailors about the importance of their job and why they chose the path to serve their country as a corpsman. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anna Albrecht/ Released)

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