Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group BOXESG
Boxer Amphibious Ready Group
LHD-4 Boxer
"Golden Gator"
The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) team is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies, and maintain a forward presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations.
While deployed, the Boxer ARG/11th MEU team will conduct maritime security operations, crisis response operations, theater security cooperation and forward naval presence operations. “It has been incredible to see the interoperability of the Boxer ARG/11th MEU as they have come together to form a cohesive team, operating from all ships within the ARG,” said Capt. Brad Arthur, commander of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5. "Having completed the arduous unit-level and integrated certification cycles I am confident that we are trained and ready to accomplish critical mission areas needed to operate across the globe.”
Boxer ARG is comprised of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS John P Murtha (LPD 26), and Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Embarked commands include “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 5, and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11. “Our blue-green team is ready to deploy,” said Col. Fridrik Fridriksson, 11th MEU commander. “We have trained, on land, in the air and at sea, to respond to events across the range of military operations and we will be prepared if and when we are called to respond.” 11th MEU consists of the Command Element; the Aviation Combat Element comprised of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); the Ground Combat Element comprised of Battalion Landing Team 3/5; and the Logistics Combat Element comprised of Combat Logistics Battalion 11. The Boxer ARG/11th MEU will provide senior U.S. military leadership and coalition partners with a flexible, tailorable force which can rapidly respond to contingencies and crises within a region. With ships, aircraft, troops, and logistical equipment, the ARG/MEU is a self-contained and self-sustained task force capable of conducting missions from combat operations to providing humanitarian assistance.
“The crew is ready to execute any mission. I'm proud of the work by our Sailors to build the right mindset needed for success. And now the Boxer team is excited to carry our nation's flag across the globe,” said Capt. Ronald Dowdell, Boxer's commanding officer.
The 11th MEU is part of I Marine Expeditionary Force, which provides a globally responsive, expeditionary and fully scalable Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), capable of generating, deploying, and employing ready forces and formations for crisis response, forward presence, major combat operations and campaigns. The Boxer ARG is part of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, and U.S. Third Fleet. Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.
Sailors and Marines of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are embarked on USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS John P Murtha (LPD 26) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) on a regularly-scheduled deployment. Joined together, the 11th MEU, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 and ships are designated as an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).
The Boxer, Murtha and Harpers Ferry set sail from San Diego on May 1. On June 7, the group joined the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle near the Andaman Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean, and on June 11, Murtha was reported by The Hindu as departing the Indian port of Visakhapatnam, on the Bay of Bengal. India’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikramiditya, was also deployed in the Arabian Sea, Sputnik reported, to ensure the safety of Indian ships in the region in case bullets and missiles start flying between the US and Iran and their respective allies.
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Phuket, Thailand June 8 for a scheduled port visit. The port visit is a chance for Sailors and Marines to relax and enjoy Thailand's culture, cuisine and tropical beaches while fostering relationships between the two nations. “Our visit is an opportunity for the ship to replenish supplies, and an important relationship-strengthening opportunity with Thailand,” said Capt. Ronald Dowdell, Boxer’s commanding officer. "Sailors have an opportunity to get some well-deserved rest and enjoy the vibrant culture as they continue deployment."
The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer has arrived in the US Fifth Fleet’s area of operations, the US Navy announced Monday. The ship and its battle group carry thousands of US Marines as well as strike aircraft and helicopters. The Boxer leads the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which also includes the amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry, US Central Command noted. The ships replaced vessels led by the USS Kearsarge, which had been in the theater since April but has now rotated out.
The US Fifth Fleet’s area of responsibility includes sea lanes that could soon become a major war zone - namely, the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. While all three ships are capable of dispatching landing vessels full of US Marines and their equipment, the Boxer is also an aircraft carrier of sorts. The Wasp-class vessel carries up to 20 aircraft of various types, including attack and transport helicopters and AV-8B Harrier II strike aircraft.
The Boxer’s strike group joins the battle group of the USS Abraham Lincoln, a much larger aircraft carrier that arrived in the region last month, along with the amphibious landing dock USS San Antonio and several warships capable of executing deep airstrikes on Iran. Unlike the Boxer, the Lincoln was dispatched to the region explicitly to deter suspected planned Iranian attacks on US forces in the region.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
