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Commander Expeditionary Strike Group 3 to Deploy to 5th Fleet

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080115-01
Release Date: 1/15/2008 6:18:00 AM

By Lt. Erik Reynolds, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3 Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Thirty-five Sailors and Marines from commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 will deploy to Bahrain in January for a one-year deployment to the region.

ESG 3, based out of Naval Base San Diego, Calif., is an operational staff, comprised of more than 60 Sailors and Marines led by Rear Adm. Mark Balmert.

Upon arrival in theater, Balmert will assume duties as
Commander, Combined Task Forces (CTF) 51 and 59 under Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

CTF 59 is responsible for planning and implementing contingency operations in the region ranging from disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, oil spill response, noncombatant evacuation and foreign consequence management. In the event of a regional crisis, whether it stems from a natural disaster or a conflict, CTF 59 is tasked with contingency management of coordinating resources and manages the plan to assist those requesting aid.

CTF 51 is in charge of expeditionary forces in the U.S. Naval Central Command area of responsibility.

Expeditionary strike groups in the area are used to assist with theater security cooperation and support Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition, the ships play a major role in Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

"The ESG 3 Navy-Marine team worked hard to prepare for this deployment, training both at sea and ashore for a wide range of missions. Our unique expeditionary skills are well matched for the challenging roles we will be assigned during this deployment," said Balmert.

ESG 3 is the third flag-led staff to be forward deployed to 5th fleet.

For more news from Commander Expeditionary Strike Group 3, visit www.navy.mil/local/ESG%203/.