The Associated Press State & Local Wire August 22, 2003
Military deploying new-look strike force from San Diego
Seven heavily armed warships departing from here Friday combine troops, ships and weaponry in a new-look Navy and Marine Corps strike force that military officers say will be more powerful and versatile than traditional arrangements.
The Expeditionary Strike Group One is the first of its kind and is being called a part of the military's larger effort to emphasize flexibility along with intimidating firepower and cooperation between various branches. Similar groups are planned for both Pacific and Atlantic fleets.
About 5,000 sailors and Marines overall will be deployed for eight months on the troop-carrying ships, cruiser, destroyer, frigate and attack submarine. Amphibious assault ship Peleliu will serve as the joint operations center.
Navy Rear Adm. Bob Conway said that by combining more than 100 Tomahawk missiles with aircraft and 2,200 combat Marines, "The spectrum of warfare is open to this group."
The Navy usually deploys its ships either in larger aircraft carrier groups or three-ship task forces carrying Marines but less firepower.
The new configuration will get significant Marine forces and powerful missiles to emerging combat locations faster than before, said military analyst Patrick Garrett of GlobalSecurity.org, a Virginia-based think tank.
"It's an enormous step forward," Garrett said. "It may mean you'd have a (powerful warship) on the scene in hours or days, instead of weeks."
Strike Group One will be commanded by a Navy admiral while the next group is expected to be led by a Marine general.
The Marines deploying Friday are from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Pendleton, with ships from San Diego and Pearl Harbor. Also part of the force are Navy SEALs and Marines from air stations in Miramar and Yuma, Ariz.
The strike force's destination was not disclosed but military officials said its "areas of responsibility" include the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and Iraq.
© Copyright 2003, The Associated Press
