Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Enters U.S. 6th Fleet
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060615-01
Release Date: 6/15/2006 7:49:00 AM
By Lt. Karen E. Eifert, USS Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
ABOARD USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Expeditionary Strike Group entered the U.S. 6th Fleet’s area of operations June 12, supporting Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe's strategic initiative to strengthen emerging and enduring partnerships with the nations and navies of Greece, France, Cyprus, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
While in the theater, the approximately 6,000 U.S. Sailors and Marines assigned to the ships, submarine and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will provide combat power and work alongside coalition naval forces to deny European waters to maritime security threats.
“The Sailors and Marines of Iwo Jima Strike Group have worked very hard to prepare themselves for this deployment and look forward to representing their nation and Navy,” said Capt. Sinclair Harris, commander, Iwo Jima Strike Group.
The strike group can support a wide range of missions, such as combat operations, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief. It provides a wide variety of options in support of maritime security and stability goals in concert with regional allies.
Homeported in Norfolk, Va., the Iwo Jima Strike Group consists of the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), amphibious transport dock USS Nashville (LPD 13), attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706), dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), and guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) and USS Cole (DDG 67). The 24th MEU is composed of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 and the MEU Service Support Group 24.
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.
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