• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Green Roots Help Increase Interoperability for Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080725-07
Release Date: 7/25/2008 6:24:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Michael Starkey, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- After completing the "blue" phase of its Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX), the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) began supporting the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) July 19 in the "green" phase of its pre-deployment certification effort.

The "green" phase of the exercise forces the 26 MEU to prepare for any mission a MEU could be called upon to execute, and many of the missions require heavy coordination between the Iwo Jima ESG and the 26 MEU.

"Military response is a joint effort on the part of all the armed services. We all bring different capabilities to the fight," said Capt. Brian T. Smith, commander, Iwo Jima ESG.

"The Navy-Marine team, as we see between Iwo Jima ESG and 26 MEU, provides mutually-supportive, full-spectrum crisis response options employing all available maritime, land and air assets."

The 26 MEU is capable of conducting a wide variety of missions on land - ranging from full-scale combat, to humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief - but teamed with the Iwo Jima ESG, the unit is able to conduct these missions ship-to-shore anywhere in the world.

"Our amphibious ships provide a unique capability serving as platforms to support Marine movements and operations ashore," said Smith. "This capability is significantly enhanced by our cruiser and destroyer escorts which provide a very robust, additional set of warfighting capabilities."

Currently preparing for its upcoming regularly-scheduled deployment, the Iwo Jima ESG is made up of more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines and projects sea power ashore by maintaining the capability of landing amphibious forces by helicopters, amphibious track vehicles, air cushion landing craft and assault craft whenever and wherever the need arises.

Smith, a former Marine aviation ordnanceman, says his entire career, including his time in the Marine Corps, has helped prepare him for his current assignment.

"Being a former Marine gives me a better understanding of how Marines operate and what challenges they face. Having an appreciation of their culture and way of life is valuable when working so closely with an embarked MEU. The better we understand each other's needs, the better we work together."

The Iwo Jima ESG consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) with the embarked 26 MEU; the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk, Va.; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.

For more news from Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.