By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tristan Miller, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs
USS KEARSARGE, At Sea (NNS) -- Nearly 2,200 Sailors of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group returned home to family and friends over the past week following a regularly scheduled deployment.
USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS Carr (FFG 52), homeported in Norfolk, and USS Vicksburg (CG 69) from Mayport, Fla., returned to their homeports Jan. 25. USS Ponce (LPD 15) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) returned to Norfolk Jan. 27. USS Miami (SSN 755) returned Jan. 29, and, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) will return to Norfolk Feb. 1.
The seven-ship strike group, and elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC), deployed beginning in late-July 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Maritime Security Operations in the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
"We demonstrated that an expeditionary strike group is the Navy's 'Swiss Army Knife'. We were able to perform any mission, anytime, anywhere," said Capt. Frank Ponds, commander, Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group. "The strike group executed a wide array of missions on this deployment from humanitarian relief, counter piracy and maritime security to combat strike operations. And, as a group, our balanced and varied capabilities simultaneously empowered our enduring and emerging partners as well as deterred our adversaries."
Each ship of the strike group contributed something of note to the greater mission of promoting regional stability and security.
The amphibious assault ship Kearsarge traveled more than 3,000 miles with their embarked Marines to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to victims of Tropical Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh.
"The crew worked hard to move Kearsarge over three thousand miles to arrive on Thanksgiving day to be in a position to best assist in the efforts that had already begun by the government of Bangladesh," said Capt. James Gregorski, commanding officer, Kearsarge, when recalling the response to the cyclone. "Sailors and Marines were eager to help ease the burden of this tragedy."
Kearsarge also supported combat and training operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, supported Project Handclasp and visited Haifa, Israel, which had not been visited by a U.S. naval ship since Sept. 11, 2001.
The amphibious transport dock Ponce was the first U.S. naval ship to visit the port of Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait and provided their embarked Marines with needed supplies as they conducted training on shore.
"Being able to use the port of Al Shuaybah was key to our being able to quickly and effectively offload gear," said Cmdr. Richard Frey, commanding officer of Ponce. "We appreciated the cooperation and effort of our partners in Kuwait in accomplishing this mission."
The dock landing ship Gunston Hall participated in operation "Image Nautilus" a training exercise where they and their embarked Marines worked with the Djiboutian navy in Africa, promoting a strong relationship and improving interoperability.
Guided missile destroyer Porter visited Mombasa, Kenya, becoming the first U.S. naval ship to visit there since 2005. Porter also assisted with counter piracy efforts off the coast of the Horn of Africa.
Guided missile cruiser Vicksburg, along with guided missile frigate Carr, defended the Al Basra and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminals in Iraqi waters as part of Coalition Task Force 158, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
While deployed, Carr Sailors also assisted an Iraqi sailor with severe skull fractures. And, Carr and Porter also rescued 28 people adrift at sea in the Mediterranean and provided them aid and comfort.
"The rescue and assistance we provided at sea demonstrated we are still in the business of saving lives," said Ponds. "Our actions this deployment clearly showed that cooperation and lending a helping hand transcends nationality."
The strike group also promoted regional cooperation by visiting over twenty ports in twelve countries across three continents and conducted three bilateral exercises with regional partners. Sailors across the strike group carried out the traditional Navy role of bringing U.S. diplomacy to foreign shores.
"Our people are the core of everything we do and port visits are great learning experiences for our personnel," said Ponds. "Activities such as community relation projects, receptions, distinguished visitor embarks, media engagement, etc., provide us the opportunity to strengthen relationships and to learn about local culture."
The strike group is comprised of the flagship Kearsarge, Gunston Hall, Porter, Ponce, Carr, Vicksburg, the fast attack submarine Miami and embarked elements of the 22 MEU SOC.
