thedrifter
02-01-07, 07:48 PM
Gulf strike force on the way
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 2nd February 2007
A US Navy strike group, led by amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, is on its way to the Gulf to strengthen forces in the region.
It will bring seven vessels, carrying 6,000 sailors and Marines into the Gulf.
But the deployment of the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) does not signal an unusual build-up of warships in the region, said a Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet official.
Approximately 6,000 sailors and Marines assigned to the ESG and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will provide a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, Fifth Fleet spokeswoman Lieutenant Denis Garcia told the GDN yesterday.
"While in the region on a routine deployment, the Bataan ESG will conduct maritime security operations," she told the GDN.
She added that maritime security operations conducted by coalition forces in the region are vital as they set the conditions for security and stability in maritime environment, as well as complement counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.
The official said that although the Bataan ESG brings with it a large number of sailors and Marines, its deployment did not imply that there would be an unusually high number of coalition ships in the area.
"This is a routine deployment and it does not necessarily mean that this is the most number of ships we have had here since 2003 (when allied forces went into Iraq)," she said.
"Even the second aircraft carrier (USS John C Stennis) is arriving here on scheduled time.
"There are usually about 40 ships in the area.
"Two-thirds of those are US ships and the rest coalition ships."
The ESG is comprised of the Bataan Strike Group, commanded by Bataan Strike Group/Amphibious Squadron 2 Commander Commodore Donna Looney.
The 26th MEU is commanded by Colonel Gregg Sturdevant.
In addition to Bataan, the strike group consists of the amphibious transport dock USS Shreveport, dock landing ship USS Oak Hill, guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf, guided missile destroyer USS Nitze, guided missile frigate USS Underwood and submarine USS Scranton.
US Fifth Fleet's area of operation 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.
"We'll continue our role as the surface warfare commander and the air defence commander for the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group," said Bataan operations officer Commander Jon Carriglitto.
"Together with the MEU, we bring the ability to insert a quick, capable amphibious force where it's needed."
The Bataan ESG has the capabilities to support maritime security operations, combat operations and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.
"Bataan ESG's presence in the US Fifth Fleet will require the crew to conduct what it does best - well deck and flight deck operations," said Cmdr Carriglitto.
Bataan, commanded by Captain David Hulse, left its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, US, on January 4.
Ellie
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 2nd February 2007
A US Navy strike group, led by amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, is on its way to the Gulf to strengthen forces in the region.
It will bring seven vessels, carrying 6,000 sailors and Marines into the Gulf.
But the deployment of the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) does not signal an unusual build-up of warships in the region, said a Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet official.
Approximately 6,000 sailors and Marines assigned to the ESG and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will provide a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, Fifth Fleet spokeswoman Lieutenant Denis Garcia told the GDN yesterday.
"While in the region on a routine deployment, the Bataan ESG will conduct maritime security operations," she told the GDN.
She added that maritime security operations conducted by coalition forces in the region are vital as they set the conditions for security and stability in maritime environment, as well as complement counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.
The official said that although the Bataan ESG brings with it a large number of sailors and Marines, its deployment did not imply that there would be an unusually high number of coalition ships in the area.
"This is a routine deployment and it does not necessarily mean that this is the most number of ships we have had here since 2003 (when allied forces went into Iraq)," she said.
"Even the second aircraft carrier (USS John C Stennis) is arriving here on scheduled time.
"There are usually about 40 ships in the area.
"Two-thirds of those are US ships and the rest coalition ships."
The ESG is comprised of the Bataan Strike Group, commanded by Bataan Strike Group/Amphibious Squadron 2 Commander Commodore Donna Looney.
The 26th MEU is commanded by Colonel Gregg Sturdevant.
In addition to Bataan, the strike group consists of the amphibious transport dock USS Shreveport, dock landing ship USS Oak Hill, guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf, guided missile destroyer USS Nitze, guided missile frigate USS Underwood and submarine USS Scranton.
US Fifth Fleet's area of operation 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.
"We'll continue our role as the surface warfare commander and the air defence commander for the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group," said Bataan operations officer Commander Jon Carriglitto.
"Together with the MEU, we bring the ability to insert a quick, capable amphibious force where it's needed."
The Bataan ESG has the capabilities to support maritime security operations, combat operations and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.
"Bataan ESG's presence in the US Fifth Fleet will require the crew to conduct what it does best - well deck and flight deck operations," said Cmdr Carriglitto.
Bataan, commanded by Captain David Hulse, left its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, US, on January 4.
Ellie