Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group MED 06 Deployment
LHD-7 Iwo Jima
"Uncommon Valor"
After a post deployment maintenance period, IWO JIMA became the Flag ship for Commander, Second Fleet in October 2004. For over a year, IWO JIMA participated in many high visibility exercises, experiments, and operations with U.S. and allied naval forces.
On August 31, 2005, IWO JIMA was sortied to the Gulf of Mexico to provide disaster relief and to conduct support operations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. IWO JIMA sailed up the Mississippi River to the city of New Orleans to directly support relief operations and act as the central command center for all federal, state, and local disaster recovery operations.
During this critical period, IWO JIMA also served as the region's only fully functional air field for helicopter operations, conducting over one thousand flight deck operations; provided hot meals, showers, drinking water, and berthing to thousands of National Guardsmen and relief workers; provided medical services, including first aid and surgical services, for disaster victims; and conducted clean-up operations in the city and suburbs of New Orleans.
After six-months, and approximately 30,000 nautical miles, the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), led by the multipurpose, amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., 06 December 2006. Iwo Jima departed Norfolk Naval Base 06 June 2006 to begin a regularly scheduled, six-month deployment in support of maritime security operations (MSO). In addition to providing direct support to Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, several ships of the Iwo Jima ESG provided emergency evacuation assistance to nearly 15,000 American citizens in Lebanon.
The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) departed its homeport of Norfolk, Va., June 6 to begin a regularly scheduled, six-month deployment. Iwo Jima served as the flagship for the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), which includes USS Nashville (LPD 13), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Albuquerque (SSN 706). Additionally, the Iwo Jima ESG includeed the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), as well as various supporting elements from Assault Craft Unit 4, Beachmaster Unit 2, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26.
USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) arrived pierside in Marseille, France, June 20 after safely transiting the Strait of Gibraltar. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship departed its homeport of Norfolk, Va., June 6 to begin a regularly scheduled six-month deployment in support of maritime security operations (MSO). USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) arrived at the port town of Civitavecchia on the outskirts of Rome, Italy, June 27 after departing Marseille, France, the day before. On July 17, the 24th MEU were embarking on the amphibious warships after an exercise with Jordan.
Versatility has always been the Navy/Marine Corps strong suit. The Iwo Jima ESG was no exception. Non-combatant evacuation (NEO) operations in Lebanon, exercises with major regional partners, maritime security operations throughout the AOR (area of responsibility), flying combat sorties in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, the team has done a bit of just about everything."
Shortly after Iwo Jima transited the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, the ship was recalled back into the Mediterranean Sea to be prepared to conduct humanitarian relief operations in Lebanon. Iwo Jima arrived on station off the troubled Beirut coast July 21.
As part of Commander, Task Force 59, Iwo Jima and 24 MEU(SOC) Marines provided crucial departure assistance to American citizens in Lebanon looking to leave the troubled region. Cole and Whidbey Island accompanied Iwo Jima on station off Lebanon, ready to provide additional assistance as needed.
Helicopters assigned to the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 365 aboard Iwo Jima immediately joined in the departure assistance efforts to American citizens there. Several CH-53 "Sea Stallion" and CH-46 "Sea Knight" helicopters from the multipurpose, amphibious assault ship safely transported hundreds of citizens out of Beirut. Additionally, the helicopters delivered approximately 4,200 pounds of meals ready to eat and 1,200 pounds of water for those citizens waiting to depart the country.
Fifty Iwo Sailors and Marines provided much-needed assistance to nearly 2,000 American citizens aboard USS Trenton (LPD 14), also on station in the eastern Mediterranean Sea July 23. Once aboard, the all-volunteer group immediately began assisting with the comfort and needs of the large group gathered there. This included setting up cots and tents, delivering water and taking care of the citizens' needs while moving around the ship. With the help of the volunteer team, Trenton safely transferred the departing citizens from Beirut, Lebanon, to Mersin, Turkey.
Iwo Jima returned to the Suez Canal Aug. 20 and entered the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO). Upon arrival in the Persian Gulf in October, Iwo Jima ESG ships Iwo Jima, Whidbey Island, Bulkeley and Nashville maintained maritime security presence there as the 24 MEU(SOC) Marines arrived to Kuwait Naval Base to conduct sustainment training.
Additionally, the guided-missile cruiser Philippine Sea conducted security patrols around the oil platforms of the North Persian Gulf, and served as the flagship for Commander, Task Force 158 Royal Australian Navy Commodore Peter Lockwood. Finally, Albuquerque supported theater and national level tasking throughout the AOR. Launching a myriad of Air Combat Element aircraft and Landing Craft Air Cushions, Landing Craft Utility and Amphibious Assault Vehicles, ESG ships Iwo Jima, Whidbey Island and Nashville safely delivered the Marines, supplies and equipment ashore during the offload evolution.
Iwo Jima safely transited the Suez Canal Nov. 8, concluding operations in the AOO. Upon its return to the Mediterranean, LHD 7 safely arrived pierside to the port town of Toulon, France, Nov. 17, following a port call to Civitavecchia on the outskirts of Rome, Italy, Nov. 12.
While many Sailors and Marines took advantage of the liberty ports to enjoy the sights and tastes, several chose instead to lend their efforts to some community relations projects (COMREL) arranged via the Iwo Jima's chaplain's office. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other materials.
Chronology
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17 Jul 2006 - Red Sea
27 Jun 2006 - Port Visit @ Civitavecchia, Italy
20-26 Jun 2006 - Port Visit @ Marseille, France
06 Jun 2006 - Deploys
31 Aug 2005 - Deploys in Support of Hurricane Relief Efforts
15 Jul 2005 - Atlantic Ocean
02 Jul 2005 - Port visit, Portland
29 Jun 2005 - Atlantic Ocean
17 May 2005 - Capability Exercise
16 May 2005 - Atlantic Ocean
25 Apr 2005 - Atlantic Ocean
24 Mar 2005 - Norfolk
12 Jan 2005 - Atlantic Ocean
10 Dec 2004 - Atlantic Ocean
06 Dec 2004 - Port visit, Port Everglades, FL
17 Nov 2004 - Atlantic Ocean
?? Jun 2004 - Atlantic Ocean
26 May 2004 - Port Visit, New York
24 May 2004 - Atlantic Ocean
29 Apr 2004 - Norfolk
27 Apr 2004 - Atlantic Ocean
mid Jan 2004 - Norfolk
15 Jan 2004 - Atlantic Ocean
12 Jan 2004 - Port visit @ Earle, NJ
?? Jan 2004 - Departs Norfolk
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