Makin Island ARG returning from seven-month deployment

Ships from the U.S. Navy’s Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group are returning home from a seven-month deployment to the Pacific, Middle East, and the Horn of Africa.

The group is scheduled to return to Naval Base San Diego on May 15.

Comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), the Makin Island ARG operated with embarked forces of 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) throughout the U.S. Pacific and Central Command areas of responsibility.

The ARG/MEU trained with militaries and self-defense forces from Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Papua New Guinea in the 7th Fleet, while in 5th Fleet the team participated in exercises with forces in Djibouti and Oman.

This was the third deployment for Makin Island, the seventh for Comstock, and the first for Somerset. More than 1,100 sailors and 1,500 marines deployed aboard Makin Island; 375 sailors and 700 marines aboard Somerset; and 410 sailors and 400 marines aboard Comstock. U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Crary, commander, Amphibious Squadron 5, and Marine Col. Clay Tipton led the ARG/MEU team during the deployment.

“The Makin Island ARG/11th MEU team provided our commanders with the world’s most capable sea-based rapid-response force. Our ships and the landing force they carried gave our commanders the operational flexibility they needed to respond to a range of crises, anywhere in theater, in a moment’s notice,” said Capt. Mike Crary, commander, PHIBRON 5.