Makin Island ARG sailors on final port call of seven-month deployment

U.S. Navy ships from the Makin Island amphibious ready group arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for the final port call of their deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.

During the seven-month deployment to U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility, the 4,000 Sailors and Marines conducted maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in support of regional security and stability, and the free flow of maritime commerce.

Makin Island steamed more than 45,000 nautical miles while operating in the Pacific and Indian oceans, Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Gulf.

“All three ships in the ARG were exactly where our commanders needed them to be, when they needed them to be there,” said Capt. Mike Crary, commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5. “It’s a testament to this team’s readiness, and I couldn’t have asked for a more motivated and professional group of sailors and marines.”

This is the ARG’s last port visit before returning to their homeport of San Diego. The marine expeditionary unit will disembark during the ships’ transit, to return to their home base in Camp Pendleton.

The three-ship ARG, which consists of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) and amphibious dock landing ship (LSD 45), falls under the control of the embarked staff of PHIBRON 5.