B-52s to the AOR

From the Air Force Magazine at http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2016/February%202016/February%2026%202016/B-52s-to-the-AOR.aspx

By Brian Everstine

 

​The Air Force will deploy B-52 Stratofortresses to take the fight to ISIS in the spring, placing bombers back in the US Central Command area of responsibility, service officials said. B-52s will deploy in April to take part in Operation Inherent Resolve, taking the spot of B-1B Lancers that returned back to the US in January, said Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, at AWS16. Lt. Gen. Charles Brown, the commander of Air Forces Central Command who oversees the air war for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said they are working to “bring B-52s to town” to assist in the fight. The coalition has two aircraft carriers deployed to assist in the fight to make up the gap after B-1s left in January to receive large-scale upgrades, and the coalition is planning long in advance to address any gaps in assets available to the coalition, Brown said. Those B-1s will return to the fight in the summer after having been recently upgraded.​

 

Boxer ARG Operating in Pacific and Central Command AORs

U.S. Navy Sailors with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group prepare MV-22B Ospreys with Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 166 Reinforced to take off from the USS New Orleans. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be operating in the Pacific and central Commands area of responsibilities during their western pacific deployment 16-1. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler C. Gregory/released)

Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group Departs 5th Fleet

GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 7, 2013) The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducts operations at sea. Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Hunter S. Harwell/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Mandello, Amphibious Squadron Four Public Affairs

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (NNS) -- The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), October 12, completing a regularly scheduled six-months in the region.

The Kearsarge ARG and 26th MEU left Norfolk, Va., in March and entered the U.S. Central Command AOR in April.

During their time in the 5th Fleet AOR, the Kearsarge ARG conducted maritime security operations and security cooperation activities with partner nations in the region. The ARG also participated in four multinational exercises designed to strengthen coalition partnerships and reinforce regional security and stability, including the recent Eager Lion 2013 exercise in Jordan.

"This deployment has been a true test of our Sailors' and Marines' capabilities to which we not only met the standards, but far exceeded expectations," said, Capt. Jim Cody, commodore, Kearsarge ARG.

The ARG includes the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), which left the 5th Fleet AOR during summer, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), Assault Craft Unit 4, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC 28).

The 26th MEU is deployed with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and served as a theater reserve and crisis response force while the ARG/MEU was assigned to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

"I am extremely proud of the 26th MEU/Kearsarge ARG Navy and Marine Corps team. The men and women who worked tirelessly throughout the 5th Fleet AOR met every contingency and successfully executed each mission, and were always poised to respond to the next task," said Marine Col. Matthew G. St. Clair, 26th MEU commanding officer. "They epitomized the professionalism and commitment required of an expeditionary crisis response force and provided the combatant commander a certain force in an uncertain world."

The Kearsarge ARG and 26th MEU were relieved by the Boxer ARG and 13th MEU and will continue their deployment in the 6th fleet AOR.