Boxer Amphibious Ready Group to Depart for Deployment

The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) transits San Diego Bay as it gets underway. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is underway off the coast of Southern California completing a certification exercise (CERTEX). CERTEX is the final evaluation of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) and Boxer ARG prior to deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Valverde/Released)

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (BOXARG) is scheduled to depart Aug. 23 for a deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

The BOXARG, which includes USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), will focus on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. BOXARG is fully capable of amphibious assault and Special Forces operations, humanitarian missions and non-combatant operations.

"We've had a very rigorous training cycle to prepare us to execute any mission when called upon," said Capt. Malcolm Potts, commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 1 and commander of BOXARG. "I am awed and impressed by the ingenuity, creativity, and industriousness of the 4,200 dedicated Sailors and Marines that serve on our ships."

The ships will embark approximately 2,400 Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The MEU is capable of conducting conventional amphibious operations and selected maritime special operations at night or during adverse weather conditions from the sea, by surface or by air.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

Navy Conducting Amphib Ops on the Pacific Ocean

Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) tend to a Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter during flight operations. Nearby, the amphibious transport dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) is conducting landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino)

Denver ARG Conducts Amphibious Integration Training

Sailors assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) embark Marines from 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) during combat rubber raid craft exercises. Harpers Ferry is part of the Denver Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting Amphibious Integration Training with the 31st MEU off the coast of Okinawa, Japan in preparation for Fall Patrol. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl/Released)

DESRON 31 Returns After Successful CARAT Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The staff of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31 returned home Sept. 4 after completing a successful four-month deployment aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) May 12 to Aug. 28.

Led by Capt. Richard L. Clemmons Jr., DESRON 31 commodore, the deployment focused on the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in the Southeast Asia region.

"The whole idea behind CARAT is to build and strengthen our relationships with those countries in Southeast Asia," said Clemmons. "Many people don't know, but a large percentage of the goods that the United States receives and delivers, imports and exports, go through that area. It's a very important strategic area for the United States. It's important to have good relations with those countries."

Since 1995, CARAT has provided the U.S. and six other Southeast Asian nations – the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia – the opportunity to sharpen maritime security through shared training, equipment and manpower.

More than 1,600 U.S. personnel took part in CARAT 2009. Task Group 73.5, the U.S. Navy task group for CARAT, is under the command of DESRON 31.

With DESRON 31 as the CARAT commander, the exercise involved deploying to each of the countries in a predetermined schedule of activities which typically took about a week to 10 days.

"What is most important is that the positive relationship and understanding between our armed forces which has developed these last few days through this exercise will continue to flourish well beyond today," said Col. Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Rosli, joint forces commander, Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

During the exercises, U.S. and partner nations conducted several exercises including ship movement operations; visit, board, search and seizure exercise mission, and damage control.

"I think what's important is that we build on 2009," said Clemmons. "One of the things I want to do for each country is to capture all the unique lessons and make sure we incorporate those in a tailored program for 2010."

"What I'm hoping to see in the future is in addition to the bilateral engagement between the US and the country that we might be able to do multilateral exercises where we involve more than one country with the U.S. and we go and do the exercise together," said Clemmons.

Harpers Ferry is Underway

Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) secure an SH-60 Seahawk helicopter to the flight deck during Spring Patrol 2008 near Okinawa, Japan. Harpers Ferry is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan and is assigned to the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl)