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ESG 3 Assumes Maritime Security Mission

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040707-11
Release Date: 7/7/2004 12:00:00 PM

By Lt. Sonja Stone, Expeditionary Strike Group 3 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BELLEAU WOOD, At Sea (NNS) -- Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 entered the Navy's U.S. 5th Fleet July 2, and is scheduled to take over the duties of maritime security operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf (NAG).

Otherwise known as Belleau Wood Expeditionary Strike Group 3 (BWD ESG), commanded by Marine Brig. Gen. Joseph V. Medina, ESG 3's responsibilities include the maritime security and stability in the NAG, and security of Al Basrah (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya (KAAOT) oil terminals.

"Since the attacks (on 24 April), the Sailors are more aware of the threat and are motivated to prevent the destabilization of these valuable infrastructures," said Capt. Bob Bonner, operations officer on the ESG 3 staff.

Along with coalition forces, ESG 3 will support the sovereignty of the Iraqi government following the interim transition that took place June 28. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (11th MEU (SOC)) from ESG 3 will help stabilize the region ashore, creating a safe environment for citizens to register to vote in the national elections scheduled for January 2005.

"The mission in the Northern Arabian Gulf is ideal for Belleau Wood ESG, because expeditionary strike groups are made for the littoral environment," said Medina. "Given our make up, we are able to tailor our force to operational needs on short notice. Finally, we are the best composition to efficiently close the seam between sea and shore."

After offloading the 11th MEU (SOC) to meet U.S. Central Command's request for forces in Iraq, ESG 3 will assume command of all forces in the NAG.

BWD ESG will rely on and work with coalition forces, U.S. Coast Guard cutters, U.S. Navy patrol craft, as well as other U.S. Navy ships in the region until the remainder of the strike group arrives in the Central Command area of responsibility. These assets will also assist in training the Iraqi forces to take over the littoral security mission in their sovereign territorial waters.

BWD ESG is designed to allow the United States to conduct shaping operations in the global war on terrorism, anywhere in the world. It combines the maritime warfare capabilities of an attack submarine and cruiser-destroyer warships with the extraordinary lift capabilities of three amphibious ships and the ground warfighting ability of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC). Together, these elements of the Navy-Marine Corps Team will project persistent, credible combat power ashore.

BWD ESG is comprised of the staff of ESG 3, Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 5, USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3), USS Denver (LPD 9) and USS Comstock (LSD 45), 11th MEU (SOC), guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), guided-missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS Hopper (DDG 70), and fast-attack submarine USS Charlotte (SSN 766).