Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group Departs Hawaii, Heads to San Diego

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Foster Bamford, USS Peleliu (LHA 5) Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) departed Pearl Harbor Dec. 10 to transit to its home port of San Diego on the final leg of its 2010 deployment.

Amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) moored at Joint Base Hickam-Pearl Harbor to refuel, on load supplies and embark family and friends for a Tiger Cruise before transiting home.

USS Pearl Harbor arrived in Pearl Harbor Dec. 6 and participated in the commemoration ceremonies on the 69th anniversary of the attack of Pearl Harbor. It was the first time the ship was able to be in Hawaii on the anniversary of its namesake.

Peleliu and Dubuque both arrived in Pearl Harbor Dec. 9 for a day-long stay.

"Hawaii is a great place to stop on the way home. We know we're back on U.S. soil, and we'll get everything we need for the last week at sea," said Peleliu Command Master Chief (SS/SW/AW) Brent Williams.

During the seven-month deployment, the Peleliu ARG completed a variety of missions to include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Pakistan, maritime security and anti-piracy operations throughout the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility and flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Sailors and Marines of the Peleliu ARG return home in time for the holidays, with a scheduled return of Dec. 18.

"I'm really excited to get home and get to spend the holidays with my family," said Electrician's Mate 3rd Class (SW) Chris Larson, from Arkansas.