Belleau Wood ESG WESTPAC 04 Deployment
LHA-3 Belleau Wood
ex-Philippine Sea

On 27 May 2004, Belleau Wood surge deployed as the centerpiece and flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3, comprised of Belleau Wood, USS Denver (LPD 9), Comstock , USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Preble (DDG 88), USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), USS Charlotte (SSN 766) and Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC).

Belleau Wood, Comstock and Denver arrived in the Persian Gulf in late June. As ESG 3, they assumed responsibilities of maritime security operations as Task Force 58. Belleau Wood, Comstock and Denver also successfully disembarked more than 2,000 Marines from the 11th MEU (SOC).

The Belleau Wood Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) spent most of the time in the 5TH Fleet area of responsibility conducting anti-smuggling, anti-piracy and anti-terrorism operations.

Belleau Wood, Comstock and Denver departed U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet's (C5F) area of operations 14 September 2004. USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) returned to its homeport of San Diego Oct. 24, 2004.

Chronology

24 Oct 2004 - Returns to San Diego
18 Oct 2004 - Pacific Ocean
14 Oct 2004 - Port visit, Pearl Harbor
04 Oct 2004 - Pacific Ocean
27 Sep 2004 - Celebes Sea
22 Sep 2004 - Port visit, Singapore
14 Sep 2004 - Indian Ocean
13 Sep 2004 - North Arbaian Sea
07 Jul 2004 - Persian Gulf
25 Jun 2004 - Indian Ocean
?? Jun 2004 - South China Sea
27 May 2004 - Deploys
21 May 2004 - San Diego
12 May 2004 - Pacific Ocean
?? May 2004 - San Diego
30 Apr 2004 - Pacific Ocean
28 Apr 2004 - MEU Offload
Apr 2004 - COMPTUEX
10 Feb 2004 - Pacific Ocean
?? Feb 2004 - San Diego
20 Jan 2004 - Pacific Ocean
Nov 2003 - San Diego???
23 Oct 2003 - Pacific Ocean
mid Sep 2003 - returns to San Diego
06 Sep 2003 - Pacific Ocean