Amphibious Squadron SEVEN
The mission of Amphibious Squadron SEVEN is to command, coordinate, plan, integrate and execute deployed operations of an Amphibious Ready Group in conjunction with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). It directs administrative and operational actions which include advanced tactical training, logistics, battle staff augmentation, family support, personnel management, and information resources in support of readiness and higher tasking.
Amphibious Squadron SEVEN was established in August 1986 as a readiness squadron. The Squadron's original mission was to provide maintenance, training, and administrative oversight for LST, LSD and LKA class ships homeported in San Diego and Long Beach, CA.
In April 1994, the squadron's mission changed to conducting expeditionary warfare while maintaining an optimal state of readiness to effectively support national objectives as directed by Fleet Commanders. The oversight functions of the ships shifted to Commander, Amphibious Group THREE and the size of the staff was significantly reduced.
Amphibious Squadron SEVEN's first deployment was June to December 1995 with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) and the NEW ORLEANS Amphibious Ready Group. During this deployment, the Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) conducted Exercises INFINITE MOONLIGHT, EAGER MACE, RELIANT RESCUE, NEON FALCON, and RELIANT GORILLA visiting Hong Kong; Singapore; Aqaba, Jordan; Bahrain; Jebel Ali, UAE; Freemantle, Australia; and Pearl Harbor. Crew members from ARG ships New Orleans, USS Juneau (LPD 10), USS Comstock (LSD 45) and USS Mount Vernon (LSD 39) also conducted more than 20 community projects in four countries. The USS New Orleans (LPH 11) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (special operations capable) (MEU (SOC)) returned home on 22 December 1995 with more than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from a Western Pacific (WestPac) deployment.
Amphibious Squadron SEVEN's second deployment was from March to September 1997 with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) and the BOXER Amphibious Ready Group. The staff participated in Exercises INFINITE MOONLIGHT, INFINITE SHADOW, RED REEF and IRON MAGIC while visiting Hong Kong; Singapore; Phuket, Thailand; Aqaba, Jordan; Misawa, Eritrea; Jebel Ali, UAE; Bali Indonesia; Darwin, Australia; and Pearl Harbor. Of note, Amphibious Squadron SEVEN is the "plankowner" squadron staff for USS BOXER (LHD 4). Three amphibious ships, led by the Boxer, and more than 2,000 Marines from Camp Pendleton departed 23 March 1997 for the Mideast and Western Pacific for a six-month deployment. The ships and Marines replaced the Essex amphibious ready group. The deployment was the first for the Boxer, which was commissioned in 1995. Also aboard will be a reinforced Marine squadron comprised of Super Stallion, Sea Knight and Huey helicopters, Cobra gunships and Harrier jump jets. 15th MEU(SOC) was the first MEU (Plankowner) to deploy with the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) from March 24 to September 24, 1997. The BOXER Amphibious Ready Group during 15th MEU(SOC) deployment consisted of USS BOXER (LHD 4), USS OGDEN (LPD 5), and USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40). The MEU participated in Exercises INFINITE MOONLIGHT, INFINITE SHADOW, RED REEF and IRON MAGIC while visiting Hong Kong; Singapore; Phuket, Thailand; Aqaba, Jordan; Misawa, Eritrea; Jebel Ali, UAE; Bali, Indonesia; Darwin, Australia; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. USS Boxer (LHD 4) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (MEU SOC) returned home 23 September 1997 after a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific, Red Sea, Arabian Gulf And Indian Ocean. The Boxer ARG consisted of Boxer, USS Fort Fisher (LSD 40), and USS Ogden (LPD 5) with embarked Marines and naval support elements. Sailors and Marines traveled more than 30,000 miles with visits to Pearl Harbor; Hong Kong; Singapore; Phuket, Thailand (Boxer); Penang, Malaysia (Fort Fisher/Ogden); Aqaba, Jordan; Massawa, Eritrea; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; Bali, Indonesia (Boxer); Surabaya, Indonesia (Fort Fisher/Ogden); Darwin, Australia (Boxer); and Cairns, Australia (Fort Fisher/Ogden). During their deployment to 5th Fleet, Marines and Sailors conducted three bilateral training exercises with regional allies. In addition, pilots flying AV-8B Harriers from Boxer flew sorties patrolling the no fly zone over southern Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch.
Amphibious Squadron SEVEN's third deployment was from December 1998 to June 1999 and again with the BOXER Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC). During the deployment, the staff participated in Exercises EDGED MALLET, NEON FALCON, and EAGER MACE. The Squadron made port calls in Hong Kong; Singapore; Phuket, Thailand; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Jebel Ali, UAE; Bali, Indonesia; Townesville, Australia and Pearl Harbor, HI. 13th MEU(SOC) was the second MEU to deploy with the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) from December 05, 1998 to June 05, 1999. The BOXER Amphibious Ready Group during 13th MEU(SOC) deployment consisted of USS BOXER (LHD 4), USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7), and USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49). The MEU participated in contingency operations in and around the Horn of Africa and Kenya, Exercises EDGED MALLET, RED REEF, and IRON MAGIC while visiting Hong Kong; Singapore; Phuket, Thailand; Mombassa, Kenya; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali, UAE; Bali, Indonesia; Townsville, Australia; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Amphibious Squadron 7 included the Boxer amphibious ready group consisting of USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS Cleveland (LPD 7), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and embarked naval support elements. The Boxer amphibious ready group returned from successful amphibious orientation training and Rim of the Pacific 2000 exercises with 1st Marine division, stationed in Camp Pendleton, and 3rd Marine Division, stationed in Kaneohe bay, Hawaii, respectively. Together with the 3rd Marines, the Boxer amphibious ready group conducted a humanitarian assistance disaster relief exercise, several training events to include helicopter and mechanized amphibious raids, an amphibious rehearsal and an amphibious assault.
In addition to providing command and control direction during the Navy's salvage operations of Alaskan Air Flight 261, the Squadron participated in the Rim of the Pacific 2000 Exercise, involving ships, submarines and aircraft from seven different countries. This multinational exercise included Maritime Interdiction Operations, Sea Control, Strike Warfare, Humanitarian Assistance Operations and culminated in an amphibious landing in direct support of Coalition forces ashore. Rim of the Pacific 2000 exercises included 1st Marine division, stationed in Camp Pendleton, and 3rd Marine Division, stationed in Kaneohe bay, Hawaii, respectively. Together with the 3rd Marines, the Boxer amphibious ready group conducted a humanitarian assistance disaster relief exercise, several training events to include helicopter and mechanized amphibious raids, an amphibious rehearsal and an amphibious assault.
Amphibious Squadron SEVEN employs Amphibious Ready Group ships and embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit forces to execute all assigned operational tasks in support of the nation's littoral warfare strategy. Commander Amphibious Squadron 7 is responsible for preparing the Boxer (LHD 4) amphibious ready group for an early 2001 deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (special operations capable). 11th MEU(SOC) will be the third MEU to embark USS Boxer and began workups with the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in early June 2000.
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