Note: For my east coast friends, standby for a major east coast military exercise.
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew Rivard, USS Wasp Public Affairs
USS WASP, At sea (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1) returned to sea Jan. 9 to conduct qualifications in preparation for Bold Alligator 2012 the nation's largest joint/multinational amphibious assault exercise in the past 10 years.
To properly prepare for Bold Alligator, Wasp will spend the next week conducting flight and well deck operations to allow the ship and various Marine Corps elements to become certified for amphibious operations at sea.
During this at-sea period, Wasp's crew will work jointly with U.S. Marines to land and launch AV-8B Harrier aircraft and amphibious hovercraft known at landing craft air cushion (LCAC)
"We are treating this training as sort of a dress rehearsal," said Ensign Anthony Despota, Wasp's Combat Information Center officer. "Not only will we conduct a multitude of flight and well deck operations but the Combat Systems department will conduct operations with various units while underway to test and ensure that all of our equipment will be working properly in time for Bold Alligator."
Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 will focus on the fundamental aspects and roles of amphibious operations to improve amphibious force readiness and proficiency for executing the six core capabilities of the Maritime Strategy - forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.
"Wasp's crew will be working 24-7 conducting a variety of operations during the day and well into the night so that we can ensure that no matter what we have thrown at us we can handle the situation with a calm head and successfully complete our tasking," said Despota.
Despota said these evolutions are critical to the success of Bold Alligator and all future Navy-Marine Corps missions.
"This underway period will help us work out any kinks we may come across," said Despota. "Successfully completing Bold Alligator will help to ensure that we as a naval force will be able to complete mission tasking when directed."
The successful completion of exercise preparations is dually critical for Wasp as it is slated to serve as the Bold Alligator flagship, placing Wasp in a high visibility position during the entire course of the exercise.
"Wasp will host numerous distinguished visitors including high-ranking government officials and foreign military personnel," said Despota. "Bold Alligator is an all-hands evolution requiring all personnel onboard to play their parts in helping ensure the exercise is successful."
Bold Alligator participants include elements of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Bold Alligator 2012 will allow U.S. service members and coalition partners the opportunity to exercise amphibious operations in a real-world environment and revitalize the Navy Marine Corps' vital core competencies.
The exercise will run from Jan. 30 through Feb. 12.
Showing posts with label ESG-2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ESG-2. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
ESG 5 Assumes Command of Amphibious Forces in 5th Fleet
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brianna K. Dandridge, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
You can view a video report of this story by clicking here.
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5 held an assumption of command ceremony Nov. 8 aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65).
Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris assumed command of the newly established ESG 5. ESG 5 will relieve ESG 2, commanded by Rear Adm. Michelle Howard. The strike group will serve as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 51 and 59 in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility, responsible for all amphibious forces deployed to the region.
"I promise you that the great strides in the partnership building that has been put in place under the tremendous leadership of Admiral Howard will be built upon," Harris said. "Fifth Fleet is as challenging of an area of operations as any for the U.S. Navy and this goes double for expeditionary forces."
ESG 2 spent one year forward-deployed to Bahrain conducting intensive planning and exercises while leading CTF 51 and 59, as well as CTF 151, an international maritime coalition that conducts counterpiracy operations off the coast of Somalia.
During the ceremony, Howard praised the Sailors of ESG 2 for their commitment and hard work. "It's important to remember the many accomplishments we've had as a blue-green Navy-Marine Corps team and the strides we've made toward making this region and the world as a whole a better and safer place through the efforts of all of our Sailors and Marines," she said. "From the deck plates to the front offices, from the most junior Sailor and Marine to the most senior, everyone plays a role and everyone performs a critical mission."
Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said Howard has done a tremendous job commanding ESG 2. "She is an exemplary motivator and a true deckplate leader. She isn't afraid to get her hands dirty no matter the mission," Gortney said. "Through her leadership, she inspires all she comes in contact with and encourages people to excel in all they do. She is the definition of a good leader."
The 48 service men and women of ESG 2 will complete their regularly scheduled, one-year deployment to Naval Support Activity Bahrain and return to their homeport of Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Va. by January 2010.
Task Force 51 is responsible for the planning and execution of contingency response missions in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations. Task Force 59 plans and conducts maritime humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations. CTF 151 is a multinational task force conducting counterpiracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
You can view a video report of this story by clicking here.
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5 held an assumption of command ceremony Nov. 8 aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65).
Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris assumed command of the newly established ESG 5. ESG 5 will relieve ESG 2, commanded by Rear Adm. Michelle Howard. The strike group will serve as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 51 and 59 in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility, responsible for all amphibious forces deployed to the region.
"I promise you that the great strides in the partnership building that has been put in place under the tremendous leadership of Admiral Howard will be built upon," Harris said. "Fifth Fleet is as challenging of an area of operations as any for the U.S. Navy and this goes double for expeditionary forces."
ESG 2 spent one year forward-deployed to Bahrain conducting intensive planning and exercises while leading CTF 51 and 59, as well as CTF 151, an international maritime coalition that conducts counterpiracy operations off the coast of Somalia.
During the ceremony, Howard praised the Sailors of ESG 2 for their commitment and hard work. "It's important to remember the many accomplishments we've had as a blue-green Navy-Marine Corps team and the strides we've made toward making this region and the world as a whole a better and safer place through the efforts of all of our Sailors and Marines," she said. "From the deck plates to the front offices, from the most junior Sailor and Marine to the most senior, everyone plays a role and everyone performs a critical mission."
Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said Howard has done a tremendous job commanding ESG 2. "She is an exemplary motivator and a true deckplate leader. She isn't afraid to get her hands dirty no matter the mission," Gortney said. "Through her leadership, she inspires all she comes in contact with and encourages people to excel in all they do. She is the definition of a good leader."
The 48 service men and women of ESG 2 will complete their regularly scheduled, one-year deployment to Naval Support Activity Bahrain and return to their homeport of Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Va. by January 2010.
Task Force 51 is responsible for the planning and execution of contingency response missions in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations. Task Force 59 plans and conducts maritime humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations. CTF 151 is a multinational task force conducting counterpiracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
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