The U.S. Navy’s Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with embarked marines departed the 7th Fleet area of operations after concluding several port visits and exchanges with partner militaries on November 30.
By doing so, the Makin Island ARG is joining the Wasp ARG and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group which recently left the U.S. central command .
The series of exercises, which included exercises Keen Sword 17 with Japan and Tiger Strike 16 with Malaysia, and a theater security cooperation engagement with Sri Lanka, was meant to strengthen communication and coordination with allies and partners to increase our combat readiness and crisis response time.
“Our Navy-Marine Corps team capitalized on every opportunity to work with our partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as we exercised the spectrum of our amphibious capabilities,” said Capt. Mike Crary , commander of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5. “This team put their training to work and proved their capabilities in 7th Fleet, and I am confident they have the training, determination and teamwork necessary to accomplish any mission that comes their way as we head into the dynamic 5th Fleet operating area.”
Makin Island now enters U.S. 5th to continue its deployment. While in U.S. 5th Fleet, the Navy and Marine Corps team will support maritime security operations to ensure the free flow of commerce, freedom of navigation and regional security.
The Makin Island ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), the command ship for PHIBRON 5 and the 11th MEU, amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset and amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock.