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ESG 7 Staff Demonstrates Flexibility at Talisman Saber 07

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070614-16
Release Date: 6/14/2007 2:38:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ESSEX (NNS) -- The commander and senior members of Expeditionary Strike Group 7 embarked USS Essex (LHD 2) June 10 to provide flag-level support of Talisman Saber 2007 (TS07).

Led by Rear Adm. Carol M. Pottenger, Okinawa and Sasebo, Japan-based staff members will work closely with permanently embarked Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 to command and control a number of U.S. and Australian assets during the exercise.

TS07 is a U.S.-Australian joint and combined exercise involving more than 32,000 personnel from both nations that will focus on improving interoperability and enhancing regional stability.

Pottenger said credit is due to her staff for being flexible enough to deploy in support of expeditionary commitments while other elements handle day-to-day operations of the task force.

“The Navy’s FDNF (forward deployed naval forces) expeditionary force is one of the most responsive and adaptive force packages the Navy has, which requires my staff to be just as adaptive,” said Pottenger, who is also acting as deputy commander, Combined Force Maritime Component Command (DCFMCC) for the exercise. “We prove every day that it is not just our ships but our CTF 76/Expeditionary Strike Group 7 Sailors and Marines that are at the tip of the spear—with key players in the rear [Okinawa and Sasebo] to ensure that we continue to meet the mission - no matter what.”

Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force 76 is based in Okinawa with an operating detachment in Sasebo. Eight ships fall under the command, including amphibious assets that enter the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

The ability to conduct command and control operations from any platform, anywhere, will be displayed later in Talisman Saber, where ESG 7 staff members will disembark Essex and move ashore to a combined headquarters.

"The key to everything we do is integration and flexibility," said Capt. Samuel Howard, ESG 7, chief of staff. "One of the most important things we bring is the ability to exercise operational control of U.S. or coalition forces for a very wide range of missions. We are an afloat staff that can carry out duties from a variety of ships or even ashore. I like to think of the ESG 7 staff as a 'Swiss Army Knife' for Commander, 7th Fleet."

ESG 7 staff members note the flexibility needed requires an expansive skillset -- such that everyone has a deep understanding in operational capabilities. For instance, the ESG 7 judge advocate general (JAG) takes on operational responsibilities and serves on the watch floor in operational settings.

“At ESG 7, we consider operations like a ship considers damage control —- it is an all hands evolution,” said Cmdr. Cedric Pringle, ESG 7 deputy chief of staff.

Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76, is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.