US Navy Boxer amphibious group returns home

The sailors and marines of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) returned to their homeport of San Diego, Nov. 27, following a successful seven-month deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet operating areas.

More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines of the Boxer ARG and embarked 11th 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 while operating forward.

“The ARG and MEU team trained hard for this deployment and proved we were ready to operate together as a cohesive team across the world as America’s forward deployed crisis-response force,” said Capt. Jason Burns, commander, Amphibious Squadron 5. “From Bahrain to Jordan and the Philippines, we safely executed multiple exercises with our allied partners in the region. I am extremely proud of our Sailors and Marines and privileged to have had the opportunity to share this deployment with them.”

Throughout deployment, the units of Boxer ARG participated in exercises with multinational partners and allies throughout the Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions, which strengthened partnerships, increased combat readiness and crisis response capabilities, and communication between U.S. and partner nation forces. In the Western Pacific, Sailors and Marines participated in multilateral exercises, including Tiger Strike with Malaysia; Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training with Brunei; and KAMANDAG 3 with the Philippines. Each exercise presented an opportunity for the amphibious task force to conduct training with each nation’s armed forces and tackle different challenges together.

In the Middle East, the Boxer ARG participated in the multilateral Exercise Eager Lion in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Eager Lion allowed the 11th MEU to train alongside the Jordanian Armed Forces and other international partners across the full spectrum of military operations, culminating in a live-fire amphibious raid.

“This deployment showed just how capable our blue-green team is,” said Capt. Dale Heinken, commanding officer of USS Boxer (LHD 4). “We overcame every challenge, supported each other, and trained together. We’re returning to San Diego carrying the proof that we’re stronger as a team.”

Heinken, who took command of Boxer mid-deployment after serving as Executive Officer, expressed his gratitude to the crew and their families for their service. “Our crew and embarked staff performed admirably throughout the deployment, and I’m pleased that they can enjoy being home for the holidays.”

USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) represented the ARG when they pulled into Visakhapatnam, India, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to promote regional security cooperation, strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance interoperability among participating forces. The Sailors and Marines of John P. Murtha and the 11th MEU built people-to-people relationships through professional exchanges, symposia, sporting events and community service projects.

During deployment, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) conducted multiple amphibious landings in Djibouti and Brunei alongside multinational partners, displaying the United States’ commitment to strengthen longstanding maritime security capabilities in support of security, stability and prosperity in any maritime region.

Sailors and Marines of the Boxer ARG also visited several ports during deployment, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, India, Thailand, Philippines, Okinawa, Guam and Hawaii. Crews immersed themselves in diverse cultures and interacted with the local populace through various activities such as tours and community relations projects.

Boxer ARG is comprised of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Embarked commands include “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, Assault Craft Unit 5, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 5, and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11.