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ESG 1 Heads North in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031021-06

Release Date: 10/21/2003 9:57:00 AM

By Journalist 3rd Class Ben Hoisington, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

ABOARD USS PELELIU, At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious Assault Ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and the five additional ships and submarine of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 1 entered the Central Command's area of responsibility (AOR) in September.

While two of the ships, USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Jarret (FFG 33), have received Commander, 5th Fleet tasking outside the Gulf, Peleliu, USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Ogden (LPD 5) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) steamed to the Northern Arabian Gulf.

Peleliu and ESG 1 are home ported in San Diego. ESG 1 is the first numbered Expeditionary Strike Group and the first ESG to deploy overseas. This strike group was created in the last year around the old elements of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group. The group consists of Peleliu, Germantown, Ogden, guided-missile cruiser Port Royal, guided-missile destroyer Decatur, guided-missile frigate Jarret, and fast-attack submarine USS Greenville (SSN 772). The L-class ships have embarked the 2,200 Marines that make up the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Currently, ESG 1 is deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Being within 16 miles of Iraq sends a statement. It means we have control of the Northern Arabian Gulf outside Iraq," said Peleliu's Operations Officer, Cmdr. Michael Talaga. "We can go basically wherever in these waters we need to in order to accomplish our mission."

Peleliu and ESG 1 bring tremendous capability to the 5th Fleet AOR.

"It makes us more effective, because when we have forces ashore, we can make sure they have the support they need from the sea," said Talaga. "The aircraft support is closer, in case they need a medical evacuation or they need reinforcements right away."

Peleliu's current mission is to provide a post-war presence in the region, aid in peacekeeping, security, and to promote an environment conducive to rebuilding a new Iraqi government. The 13th MEU deployed in Iraq to support these efforts, while Peleliu and the other ships in the ESG will provide support to ground troops and engage in operations at sea to prevent smuggling. Peleliu's assets will be performing Vessel Boarding Search and Seizures and Maritime Intercept Operations in support of the future of Iraq and in an effort to ensure that their oil does not seep away.

"There's a lot of legitimate trading and legitimate business going on, but there's also a lot of smuggling out there," said Talaga. "We're going to try and stop that, so Iraq can rebuild as best it can. That's money the people are losing, which can be used to help rebuild a legitimate government. These operations help the Iraqi people as much as they help win the global war on terrorism," he added.

The seven ships of ESG 1 have traveled 9,400 nautical miles to date, bringing their formidable war fighting abilities to play in Operation Iraqi Freedom.