US Navy ships assigned to the America amphibious ready group are on the final leg of their return home from a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
The ships are scheduled to enter Naval Station San Diego on February 2 after stopping at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, late January.
During the deployment, more than 4,500 sailors and marines of the America ARG and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in support of regional security, stability, and the free flow of maritime commerce.
America ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52). During deployment, the three ships reported to Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3, embarked aboard America, operating with embarked forces of 15th MEU, the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, and detachments from Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 1 and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11.
The 15th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force comprised of a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines; an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced); and a combat logistics element, Combat Logistics Battalion 15.
“Our Blue-Green team proved themselves time and time again to be a professional and versatile contingency response force whether it was at sea, in the sky, or on land,” said Capt. Rome Ruiz, Commander, PHIBRON 3. “As an amphibious task force, our ships gained extensive experience by working with various partner nations and ship platforms which contributed to the increasing strength of our combat power. I am proud to have been part of this deployment and proud to have served with this talented team.”
The ARG/MEU took part in a variety of exercises with partners throughout the Indo-Pacific, Mediterranean and Middle East regions. In the western Pacific, sailors and marines worked with militaries from Singapore, Malaysia, and India. In the Middle East, the team participated in exercises with a variety of partners during bilateral engagements such as Iron Magic with the United Arab Emirates and the combat rehearsal Alligator Dagger, which was conducted in Djibouti.
As Pearl Harbor and America conducted operations in the Middle East, San Diego represented the ARG/MEU team as they operated in the Mediterranean Sea.
The end of this deployment is uniquely significant for America, as it was their inaugural deployment.
“Since the ship left for her first operational deployment seven months ago, this crew has grown exponentially in skill and professionalism,” said Capt. Joe Olson, commanding officer of America. “Our sailors and the marines of the 15th MEU fulfilled their tasking proficiently, effectively, and with heart. I am honored to have served with these men and women and we are excited to be home.”