• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Forward Deployed ARG Returns to Sasebo

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS051123-02
Release Date: 11/23/2005 10:10:00 AM

From Commander, Task Force 76 Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- Sailors of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) returned to Sasebo Nov. 21, after completing a successful fall deployment.

The ships, USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) and USS Juneau (LPD 10) departed Sasebo Oct. 7 to conduct integrated and bilateral exercises with Okinawa and the Republic of the Philippines. The Sasebo-based ARG also visited Hong Kong for a scheduled four-day port visit.

"The successful completion of our scheduled integrated and bilateral exercises during this fall deployment is a testament to the quality of the Sailors we have in the 7th Fleet AOR (area of responsibility),” said Capt. Mark E. Donahue, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11. “During our seven-week deployment, our Sailors also conducted various community service projects at schools and community centers in the Republic of the Philippines and in Hong Kong. These guys really care.”

During their routine fall deployment, the Sailors of the Forward Deployed ARG conducted “blue-green” workups and ARGEX (Amphibious Ready Group Exercise) in Okinawa, Japan, to re-familiarize and integrate ARG Sailors and Marines in support of theater contingencies, from humanitarian and disaster relief to full combat operations.

In the Republic of the Philippines, ARG Sailors participated in Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 06, an annual bilateral exercise designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue professional relationships between the United States and Philippine armed forces.

Sailors from Essex, PHIBRON 11 and Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) also participated in two community service projects involving elementary schools, Gordon Heights Elementary school and Santa Rita Elementary school in Olongapo City. The Sailors and Marines donated clothes and painted the schools as part of the projects.

ARG Sailors also participated in various community service activities during their port visit in Hong Kong. Volunteer Sailors assisted in landscaping, painting, making minor repairs, and cleaning at schools and a community home.

Participating ships and units during the routine scheduled deployment include Essex, Juneau, Fort McHenry, Beach Master Unit (BMU) 1 Detachment Western Pacific, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 Detachment Western Pacific, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 Detachment Western Pacific, Fleet Surgical Team 7, Tactical Control Squadron (TACRON) 12 Detachment 2 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EODMU) 5 Detachment 11, as well as the 31st MEU and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced).

Task Force 76 is the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.