USS Pearl Harbor Departs Hawaii, Continues Deployment with America ARG

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170724-08
Release Date: 7/24/2017 10:08:00 AM

By MC3 Tarra Samoluk, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed Hawaii after a scheduled port visit, July 22.

The ship's departure from her namesake location followed a brief port visit, which marked the first time Pearl Harbor has visited Hawaii since completing Pacific Partnership in 2013.

The visit held a special significance for the Sailors and Marines aboard, as she is named for the historic events that took place in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, resulting in the United States' entrance into WWII.

"The crew got the opportunity to get out, experience a bit of Hawaii, and see some humbling historical sites," said Command Master Chief Thane Douglass, Pearl Harbor's command master chief. "We were able to provide a tour for some of our hardest charging Sailors, where a few of them had the opportunity to reenlist at the USS Arizona memorial."

The tour was a two-hour remembrance tour, which consisted of a harbor cruise and, most notably, a tour of the USS Arizona memorial.

"My favorite thing about being in Hawaii was getting to visit the USS Arizona memorial," said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Tiana Street, a native of Richmond, Virginia, assigned to the administrative department aboard Pearl Harbor. "I was able to reenlist at the memorial, which was an incredible experience. I don't think many Sailors get the opportunity to reenlist at a place where so much history took place and where their ship is named after."

Pearl Harbor will continue on her scheduled deployment as a part of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

Pearl Harbor is currently deployed as part of the America Amphibious Ready Group, commanded by Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 3. The ARG also consists of the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22) and the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). They are operating with embarked forces of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, and detachments from Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 1 and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11.

The America ARG/15th MEU will provide senior U.S. military leadership and coalition partners with a flexible force which can rapidly respond to contingencies and crises within a region. With ships, aircraft, troops, and logistical equipment, the ARG/MEU is a self-contained and self-sustained task force capable of conducting everything from combat operations to humanitarian assistance.

The America ARG is part of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 and U.S. 3rd Fleet. Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.