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| Iraq |
| USS Bataan & 26th MEU Enter Indian Ocean |
| 2007-01-30 |
| I wonder what they'll be doing. I filed under 'Iraq', but could be anywhere around the Indian Ocean. USS BATAAN, At Sea – The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and the Sailors and Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) successfully transited the Suez Canal Jan 30 and entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO). While in the region, the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) will conduct 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. U.S. 5th FleetÂ’s AOO encompasses 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. “WeÂ’ll continue our role as the surface warfare commander and the air defense commander for the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group,” said Cmdr. Jon Carriglitto, BataanÂ’s operations officer. “Together with the MEU, we bring the ability to insert a quick, capable amphibious force where itÂ’s needed.” While in theater, approximately 6,000 U.S. Sailors and Marines assigned to the ESG and the 26th MEU provide the combatant commander a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions. The Bataan ESG has the capabilities to support MSO, combat operations and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief. “Bataan ESGÂ’s presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet will require the crew to conduct what it does best – well deck and flight deck operations,” said Carriglitto. “WeÂ’ll be conducting varsity-level operations, but much of it falls right in line with our ongoing training, so I know weÂ’re ready to meet those challenges.” Bataan, commanded by Capt. David Hulse, left its homeport of Norfolk, Va., Jan. 4, on a regularly-scheduled deployment as the flagship of the Bataan ESG. The ESG is comprised of the Bataan Strike Group, commanded by Commodore Donna Looney, Commander, Bataan Strike Group/Amphibious Squadron 2, and the 26th MEU based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., commanded by Col. Gregg Sturdevant. In addition to Bataan, the strike group consists of USS Shreveport (LPD 12), — (LSD 51), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Underwood (FFG 36), and USS Scranton (SSN 756). |
| Posted by:Glenmore |
| #11 Ummm. Well, "assets is assets; requirements am critical". I don't want to seem cold; but N. Africa, albeit a heartbreaker, does not pose an immediate threat to us as a Nation. |
| Posted by: Asymmetrical T 2007-01-30 21:43 |
| #10 Somalia is within the announced zone of the MEU, and the US has announced that it would be willing to provide air support to African peacekeepers in Somalia. Also, it is carrying enough Marines to provide some heavy firepower to the Ethiopians/Kenyans/Djiboutians/Somalis if the Islamic Courters start some trouble on the borders. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2007-01-30 21:19 |
| #9 "Gator freighters" are awesome (LHA/LHD, etc.), but don't provide the type of penetration required to "Git 'er Done" in Iran. Just another political band-aid to stanch a National sucking chest wound. |
| Posted by: Asymmetrical T 2007-01-30 20:28 |
| #8 Ptah: Though it's hard to find anymore, eating about half a gallon of mint chocolate chip low carb ice cream gives one an immense amount of flatulence some hours later. It is best before watching C-Span. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-01-30 19:20 |
| #7 Purdy normal deployment. Perhaps BH6 could speak on this... Yet thisn to cool for school... multipurpose amphibious assault ship One of the NationBuilder Class. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2007-01-30 14:27 |
| #6 This is a typical ESG deployment, and these things are decided far in advance. If it seems like a CSG or ESG is always there at the right time, well, the system's designed to work that way. |
| Posted by: Dreadnought 2007-01-30 14:17 |
| #5 So,just how many ships do we now how in that area? I'm losing count. (but maybe that question goes to "loose lips sink ships) |
| Posted by: Sherry 2007-01-30 14:14 |
| #4 Seriously, all I want for Christmas is dead jihadis. |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-01-30 14:09 |
| #3 Mr. President, don't let us down! Christmastime come early this year! |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-01-30 14:09 |
| #2 lotta assets in play for just a show of flag.... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-01-30 14:00 |
| #1 Hmm, I wonder if the need for "surged" troops is for real: many in the blogosphere have argued that we don't need more troops in Baghdad, but a change in the ROE to be more agressive. If these troops are part of the surge, then exactly how do they support counter-insurgency operations in Baghdad? Something's going down, and it ain't in Baghdad. My only complaint (apart from the democrats running congress) is that popcorn is getting boring. Pizza is fattening, and Shrimp is too rich for my pocketbook. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2007-01-30 14:00 |