Sailors and Marines from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) will deploy from Norfolk , Va., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 11.
The KSGARG departure, originally scheduled for March 8, has been rescheduled due to forecasted high winds and a potentially heavy sea state.
The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the U.S. Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.
The KSGARG is commanded by Capt. John B. (Brad) Skillman, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4, and is comprised of multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17), both homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va.
The 26th MEU is commanded by Col. Matthew G. St. Clair and is comprised of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266; Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 26; and its command element.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 8, 2013; Image: US Navy