Commandant of the Marine Corps Visits Kearsarge ESG, 26th MEU
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050714-01
Release Date: 7/14/2005 10:17:00 AM
From USS Kearsarge Strike Group Public Affairs
PERSIAN GULF (NNS) -- The Commandant of the Marine Corps visited the Sailors of the amphibious ships of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and the Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable) (SOC) here June 17.
Kearsarge, USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Ponce (LPD 15), the amphibious ships assigned to the Kearsarge ESG, which is deployed in the region to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO), hosted Gen. Michael W. Hagee and some of his staff.
Hagee’s visit began with an hour each on Ponce and Ashland, where he took time to address the ship’s Sailors and Marines and meet with the officers of the 26th MEU (SOC). While addressing them, Hagee took time to thank the Sailors and Marines for their service, dedication and hard work.
“This was an outstanding opportunity for our Sailors and Marines to get a glimpse of the issues and challenges being worked by our senior leadership on a daily basis,” said Capt. Edward Barfield, commander, Kearsarge Strike Group. “Our Sailors and Marines know and fully understand their role in accomplishing the mission objectives for the region, and to hear live, close up and personal, from the Commandant on how well they are performing had our service men and women standing 10 feet tall.”
Hagee joined Sailors and Marines on the mess decks and spoke to as many as he could while they were eating lunch. He then joined the 26th MEU (SOC) officers and senior ESG leadership in the wardroom to hear a brief on the challenges this Navy and Marine Corps team faced during their integration into a cohesive and integrated force and the successes on their deployment to date.
After the brief, Hagee spoke to the officers and emphasized the importance of the ESG in the Department of Defense’s efforts for future transformation. He continued by discussing the best use of the ESG as a ready force to go wherever needed at a moment's notice, and the need to continue to expand the possible mission sets in order to meet the wide variety of missions.
“I agree that it is a dynamic time, but that is not going to change. We are at war,” said Hagee. “Because of that, we’ll see an increased emphasis on ESGs because of their flexibility and capability.”
Hagee then opened the floor and allowed the officers to ask questions across the spectrum of the Navy/Marine Corps team. He answered several questions on a variety of topics, from possible future involvement of the Marine Corps with Special Operations Command and the state of the Navy and Marine Corps Intranet. He then headed to the flight deck to address the Marines of the 26th MEU (SOC) and Kearsarge Sailors. After the address, he took numerous questions on current events and issues that will affect future Navy/Marine operations, including the use of Marine Expeditionary Units as a theater reserve asset.
After the questions, Hagee presented several outstanding Marines with coins specifically created for the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
The general completed his visit by taking pictures with Navy and Marine Corps units and individuals in the hangar bay.
Marine helicopters of the 26th MEU (SOC) returned the general and his staff to Bahrain, so that he could continue his visit in this theater of operations.
”It was inspiring for all to see how concerned Gen. Hagee was with many of the challenges we have faced and will encounter during future operations,” said Barfield. “He made it clear that the ESG model and training in the future was a priority for him, and I could tell that our Sailors and Marines appreciated that concern.”
The Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group deployed from Norfolk, Va. with the 26th MEU (SOC), primarily based in Cherry Point, N.C., March 25.
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