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PHIBRON 7 Assumes Responsibilities as MSO for CTF 58

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050209-02
Release Date: 2/9/2005 9:28:00 AM

From Expeditionary Strike Group 5 Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The staff of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 7 embarked USS Duluth (LPD 6) Feb. 3 to transit from Bahrain to the Persian Gulf, where it will assume duties as the Maritime Security Operations Commander for Combined Task Force (CTF) 58.

Duluth made a one-day port visit to Bahrain to embark the staff, led by Capt. Michelle Howard, who traveled from San Diego to the Persian Gulf embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as part of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5. Bonhomme Richard remained in Bahrain this week for maintenance work.

"The oil terminals at Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya are key to the economic growth of Iraq. Our job is to protect them," Howard said. "We have been given an awesome responsibility on behalf of a fledgling nation. The Sailors and Marines of ESG 5, as well as our coalition partners, are ready to execute this mission."

Duluth rescheduled a port visit to Bahrain to take on the PHIBRON 7 mission. Sailors aboard were disappointed, but most said they understood it was an important change of plans.

"If this is what we have to do, then it's what we have to do. It's our job," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Melchor Larua. "We'll get liberty when we come back."

Crew members are proud to do their part for the Maritime Security Operations in the Persian Gulf, and are confident they have the skills and training necessary to be effective at patrolling and protecting the oil platforms.

"We did this mission the last time we were here," said Lt. Josh Rogers, Duluth supply officer. "We know what we're doing."

PHIBRON 7, Bonhomme Richard and Duluth are deployed as part of ESG 5, which also includes the amphibious ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69), frigate USS Thach (FFG 43), and Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Munro (WHEC 724). ESG 5 deployed from California Dec. 6, and is scheduled to return home this summer.