Kearsarge Completes MDVR, Departs Bahrain

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Travis DiPerna, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), along with embarked Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), departed Bahrain after a scheduled mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR), Feb. 23.

 While in port, Sailors and Marines were able to perform scheduled maintenance and preservation throughout the ship.

 "MDVR is important because it gives us time to make sure the ship is in its best material condition to finish out deployment," said Cmdr. Gregory Chapman, Kearsarge's operations officer. "We accomplished quite a bit during this maintenance period. We were able to work on several critical systems that enabled us to meet the Fleet Commander's requirements."

 Although maintaining equipment and preservation was part of the mission, Sailors and Marines also had the opportunity to enjoy Bahrain. They experienced the rich history and culture of the region such as the Grand Mosque and other guided tours offered through the ship's Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) office.

 "The Grand Mosque was such an incredible experience," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Justin Green, from Pittsburgh. "The building itself was beautiful and so much bigger than I expected. I would recommend anyone visiting Bahrain to go see it."

 Also during the ship's stay in Bahrain, the Sailors and Marines had the chance to experience some live music. Country music's super group, The Frontmen, performed in the hangar bay of Kearsarge.

 The Frontmen includes Richie McDonald, of the country band Lonestar; Tim Rushlow, formerly of the band Little Texas; Larry Steward of the band Restless Heart and Donnie Reis of The Donnie Reis Band.

 According to the band, The Frontmen have been performing for military members around the globe for more than 15 years.

 "I was really excited to see The Frontmen play, especially after hearing them during the sound check," said Damage Controlman Fireman Casey Amerson, from Huntsville, Alabama. "I heard them practicing and went total 'fanboy'."

 Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Two Amphibious Assault Ships 'Parked Off of Egypt'

The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) sail in formation during a simulated straits transit. San Antonio and Kearsarge are participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the East Coast of the United States in preparation for an upcoming deployment this spring. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Abraham Essenmacher)

By Stars and Stripes| by Megan McCloskey

WASHINGTON -- As political unrest continues in post-coup Egypt, two amphibious assault ships have moved to the coast there, the commandant of the Marine Corps said Thursday.

The USS Kearsarge and the USS San Antonio “moved up into the Red Sea and parked off of Egypt,” a couple of nights ago, “because we don’t know what’s going to happen,” Gen. James Amos said.

Read the rest of this copyrighted article at http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/07/12/two-amphibious-assault-ships-parked-off-of-egypt.html?ESRC=navy-a.nl

Kearsarge Departs for Bold Alligator 2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/FMF) Chad V. Pritt, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

USS KEARSARGE, Atlantic Ocean (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) departed Naval Station Norfolk Jan. 30 to participate in Exercise Bold Alligator 2012.

Bold Alligator 2012 is taking place over a two-week period and is a multi-national joint effort hosted by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to strengthen core competencies in the areas of amphibious operations and bi-lateral cooperation.

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), as part of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, joins 2 Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2 MEB), the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, units from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, and various ships and units from foreign partners.

"Our allies will be as equally engaged as we are during the exercise," said Capt. Dorian F. Jones, Kearsarge commanding officer. "We will have land, sea and air units from eight countries as we strive to develop bi-lateral relationships and execute the CNO's (Chief of Naval Operations) Maritime Strategy as it pertains to maritime security cooperation."

The exercise, which will be the largest of its kind in a decade, will consist of live, virtual and constructive scenarios, and will showcase the full spectrum of amphibious capabilities.

"It's a revitalization of the Navy and Marine Corps amphibious expeditionary tactics," said Jones. "It's about re-invigorating the Navy and Marine Corps interoperability and our culture of combined operations from the sea."

While the end result of the exercise will be a strengthened ability to respond to man-made and natural crises around the world, the broader purpose is to showcase the advantages of sea basing. Sea basing is the ability for theater commanders to project power ashore without relying on shore-based infrastructure. Amphibious forces thereby limit the vulnerability and sustainment requirements for shore-based personnel.

"As we learned in Haiti, and historically in other operations, a prepositioned amphibious ready group becomes a force multiplier," said Jones, referring to the humanitarian relief operations in that country following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake two years ago. "Our quick response to a limited engagement in Libya was also due to sea basing. It's a concept that works in practice, and our ability to train to those expectations with our partners is what sets us apart from our enemies."

Bold Alligator 2012 is scheduled to conclude Feb. 12.

"The exercise will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week until all of our training objectives are met," said Jones. "We train like we fight, and I expect all of Kearsarge's Sailors will put forth their best effort to ensure the greatest success."

Kearsarge Departs Dry Dock

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Phil Beaufort, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) moved from Number 8 Dry Dock to her new berth pier-side at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 11.

Kearsarge has been in dry dock since January 2009, conducting a 10-month Depot Planned Maintenance Availability (DPMA) will remain at NNSY for a two more months of work prior to returning to Naval Station Norfolk.

"Getting the ship out of dry dock and floating again is a major milestone," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael E. Reed, Kearsarge navigator. "The crew is ready to leave the shipyard and do what they do best: go to sea."

While most of the major repairs and upgrades are completed or installed, the crew still has a lot of work to do before they can get underway and start training for their next deployment.

"Even before we moved out of dry dock we had to flood the dock half way, without floating the ship, and spent two days testing a number of engineering systems," said Kearsarge Senior Sailor of the Year, Machinist's Mate 1st Class Michael Newcom. "If any of the new systems we've installed required rework, or we had leaks, we would have drained the dock without having to spend a day setting the ship back on blocks. Thankfully, we didn't have to do that."

Even though many of the crew had never seen this evolution before, Craig Bailey, NNSY Dock Master, said the crew of Kearsarge took the move in stride.

"I've worked at this shipyard for 33 years, so this isn't my first evolution," said Bailey. "We're very lucky that some of the crew has been through this before, but even the Sailors who've never seen this were willing to work with us and learn from our experience."

Reed pointed out that while it may seem very simple to let water into the dry dock and bring the ship up, there are many preparatory steps that go into the evolution to ensure the safety of the crew and preservation of the ship.

"Most people don't realize how much work goes into bring a ship out of dry dock," said Reed. "If the ship wasn't balanced correctly while we were flooding the dock, the ship could have listed in either direction and crushed the hull on the blocks. But everyone pulled together and safely and successfully floated the ship."

Over the next several months the crew will continue to test systems and prepare the ship for operational service at sea.

USS Kearsarge Reaches Mid-deployment of Continuing Promise Mission

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Emmitt J. Hawks, Continuing Promise 2008 Public Affairs

USS KEARSARGE (NNS) -- USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), reached the mid-point of its deployment supporting the humanitarian/civic assistance (HCA) mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008 while in the Dominican Republic.

Kearsarge's mission during CP 08 is to conduct joint civil-military operations including humanitarian and civic assistance, as well as veterinary, medical, dental and civil engineering support to six partner nations and to send a strong message of compassion, support and commitment to Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Departing Norfolk, Va., Aug. 6, the ship has since completed HCA missions in Nicaragua and Colombia and is currently conducting HCA operations in the Dominican Republic.

"This has been an excellent deployment so far," said CP 08 Mission Commander, Capt. Fernandez "Frank" Ponds. "We've been able to assist and partner with many of our friends in region. It has been a great display of friendship and cooperation, and we'll continue to foster those valuable relationships in the countries to come."

One month into the HCA mission, Kearsarge was called upon to assist with humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR) operations in Haiti after the country was struck by four tropical storm systems in less than a month.

Kearsarge's capabilities include rapid movement of personnel and cargo by helicopter and landing craft, making it an ideal platform to support humanitarian relief missions on short notice.

"The Haiti disaster relief effort really demonstrated the incredible and unique capabilities of the USS Kearsarge, and its ability to provide heavy-lift support." said Maj. Thomas DeFazio, officer in charge of CP 08 engineers.

Marine and Navy helicopters embarked aboard Kearsarge flew more than 100 missions, and landing craft units transported more than 30 loads of supplies. These operations led to the timely delivery of more than 3.3 million pounds of food, water and other relief supplies.

Crew members from the embarked Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 5 and Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) Squadron 464 are proud of the support they have been able to offer the CP 2008 mission and especially to the citizens of Haiti during such a devastating time.

"During this endeavor, we have best been utilized for our ability to provide medevac, [very important personnel] transport and small landing zone (LZ) access," said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Marsh Weber, search and rescue chief of HSC-28, Det. 5.

Weber said the detachment's single most memorable and challenging moment during the disaster relief efforts was when the "Voodoo Knights" of HSC-28 were called upon to deliver food and water to an isolated Haitian orphanage that had no vehicle access and no landing zone.

"Due to the nimble nature of the MH-60S and the skill-set derived through search and rescue training, our crews were the only CP asset able to hover low over the scene and hoist down the essential items to the hurricane victims," said Weber. "We all felt proud that we could help some of the most critically challenged when their situation looked grim."

Weber said his team, like the rest of the CP 08 team, looks forward to the rest of the mission and is ready to face any oncoming challenges, both planned and unplanned.

"I could not have been more proud of the Kearsarge crew and all of the embarked units," said Commanding Officer Capt. Walter Towns. "No one hesitated to answer the call when one of our neighbors needed assistance."

Kearsarge departed Haiti Sept. 26 heading toward the Dominican Republic to continue its HCA mission.
To date, the Continuing Promise 2008 medical and dental team of more than 150 military medical professionals and non-governmental organizations, have worked alongside partner nation officials to treat more than 30,000 primary care patients, dispense more than 57,000 prescriptions, provide veterinary care to nearly 4,000 animals and conduct more than 100,000 medical, dental and optometric services.

Additionally, medical personnel performed more than 70 surgeries on board the ship during the mission. One of the more recent surgeries involved two 8-year-old twin boys who received eye surgery to correct strabismus, a condition where the eyes do not properly align with one another.

"The boys have been dealing with this problem since they were born," said Joselyn Altagracia Carmarena Vargas, the twins' mother. "This blessing has been a long time coming, and our family is very grateful for everything that is being done for us."

For most of the doctors on the Continuing Promise team, the smiles, hugs and handshakes have made this mission worthwhile.

"It gives me great satisfaction to be able to have helped these boys in a way no one else could," said Cmdr. Brian Alexander, an ophthalmologist embarked aboard Kearsarge for the CP 08 mission. "The smiles on the faces of the twins and their mother were one of the biggest rewards I could have received."

Navy Seabees attached to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202 and civil engineers from the Air Force's 5th Civil Engineer Squadron's Prime Base Emergency Engineer Force, both embarked aboard Kearsarge, have completed 15 construction and renovation projects during the mission and expect to complete at least seven more in the remaining countries.

"The projects thus far have been very successful," said DeFazio. "There have been many highlights, to include the renovations at the Municipal Park in Puerto Cabezas [Nicaragua] where kids swarmed the playground at the closing ceremony to the construction of a modified seahut into an L-shaped school at Los Alpes [Colombia] which was dedicated as Escuela Kearsarge."

When Kearsarge departs the Dominican Republic, they will move forward with the Continuing Promise mission to Trinidad and Tobago.

Kearsarge's mission exemplifies the United States Maritime Strategy which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interest.

USS Kearsarge is under the operational control of U.S. 4th Fleet. U.S. 4th Fleet's mission is to direct United States naval forces operating in the Caribbean and Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies to shape maritime environment.

The Continuing Promise Caribbean Phase is the second of two HCA deployments to the Southern Command area of focus for 2008. The first Continuing Promise deployment was conducted by USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific.

Embarked units and organizations aboard Kearsarge for CP include Commander, Amphibious Squadron 8, Fleet Surgical Team 4; U.S. Public Health Service; Navy Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202; Air Force Civil Engineering Squadron 5's Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force; contingents of medical personnel from the armed forces of the Canada, The Netherlands, France and Brazil; Navy Assault Craft Unit 2; Naval Beach Group 2; nongovernmental organizations International Aide, Operation Smile and Project Hope; U.S. Navy Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron 2; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28; and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464.

BAY OF BENGAL -- A CH-46E Sea Knight nears the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) while returning from a relief mission in Pahoraghata, Bangladesh. Kearsarge and the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) are conducting Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief efforts in response to the Government of Bangladesh's request for assistance after Tropical Cyclone Sidr struck their southern coast Nov. 15. The Department of Defense effort is part of a larger United States response coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Keilman)

Kearsarge Aids Tropical Cyclone Humanitarian Efforts

The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), as well as elements of Amphibious Squadron 8 and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) arrived off the coast of Bangladesh Nov. 23 to support ongoing disaster relief operations.

At the request of the Government of Bangladesh, Kearsarge and 22nd MEU (SOC) are coordinating with government officials, military leaders and international aid organizations to determine how best to focus the added capabilities of the U.S. naval forces against relief efforts.

"The suffering caused by this storm is devastating," said Rear Adm. Carol M. Pottenger, Commander Task Force 76, embarked aboard Kearsarge. "We are here to bring help and hope to those in need and aid the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time."

Tropical Cyclone Sidr slammed into the Bangladesh coast Nov. 15, with winds in excess of 156 miles per hour, killing thousands and leaving several hundred thousand homeless.

"The government of Bangladesh and various international aid organizations have a robust capability already in place and we will support their efforts as requested," said Pottenger. "Our forces are highly flexible and poised to help however we can."

The Norfolk-based ship's embarked helicopters and landing craft air cushion can deliver food, medicine and thousands of gallons of fresh water ashore, helping to save lives, lessen suffering, and aid in preventing the onset of tropical cyclone-related medical issues.

"We provide a unique mix of capabilities including airlift, logistics support and the ability to support the humanitarian relief efforts already in place," said Col. Doug Stilwell, commanding officer of the 22nd MEU (SOC). "Our goal is to assist the Bangladesh government, Bangladesh military and non-governmental organizations in reducing further loss of life."

Last week, Kearsarge was directed to make best speed towards Bangladesh from the Arabian Sea when it became apparent that the storm was going to make landfall.

Kearsarge is currently on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and departed its home port of Norfolk, Va., July 30.

Kearsarge Strike Group Offloads 22nd MEU in Kuwait

USS Kearsarge Strike Group offloaded more than 2,200 Sailors and Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in Kuwait in support of sustained training exercises Sept. 8-12.

The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), amphibious transport dock USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and dock landing ship USS Ponce (LPD 15) contributed to the offload.

“These exercises are designed to hone the Marines’ combat skills and maximize readiness,” said Sgt. Maj. Thomas Hall, 22nd Command sergeant major. “We also want to get our Marines acclimated to the desert environment so they can be ready for any mission.”

During the offload, the Sailors and Marines were transported ashore via landing craft air cushion (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 and helicopters from 22nd MEU’s Air Combat Element. Landing craft utility (LCU) boats also assisted in transporting personnel and equipment from the ships.

“This was definitely a total blue and green team effort,” Capt. James Gregorski, Kearsarge’s commanding officer. “Credit is due to our Deck, Air and Combat Cargo Air Departments who put in long hours and worked closely together to ensure a safe and efficient offload.”

1st Lt. Robert Stevenson, 22nd MEU’s embarkation officer, said preparation for the offload took weeks to ensure safety.

“We sent an advanced party of Marines to Kuwait before we started offloading,” said Stevenson. “We coordinated with them and the two other amphibious ships to offload the Marines and their equipment.”

Coordination took a collaborative effort by the ship’s Combat Cargo Department, ACU 4, and the ship’s Air and Deck Departments.

“It was truly an all-hands, ship-wide effort under arduous heat and humidity conditions. Every department played a key role,” said Cmdr. Peter Pagano, Kearsarge’s executive officer.

“Not only did all departments involved in this evolution provide great communication up and down the chain of command, we also performed the evolution safely with no mishaps,” added Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Christopher Falcon, a well deck safety observer for LCAC and LCU operations.

The Kearsarge Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other materials.
USS Kearsarge LHD-3

Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group Enters Persian Gulf

USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) entered the Persian Gulf in September to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in regional waters and provide air support to ground forces operating in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Norfolk-based ships entered the region as part of an ongoing rotation of forces, demonstrating the United States’ continued resolve toward enhancing regional security and promoting long-term stability.

Kearsarge ESG is comprised of amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), embarked Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15), dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), guided-missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52), guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69), and fast-attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755).

Capt. Robert Bougher, commander of the Kearsarge ESG, said the strike group enters the Persian Gulf able to perform a full-spectrum of capabilities that can counter any threat, as well as provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief, if requested.

“We trained hard to prepare ourselves for the challenge of this deployment, and I’m completely confident that we will complement our regional and Coalition partners well,” said Bougher. “We bring a wide range of capabilities to the table that will ensure the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment are met.”

The expeditionary strike group supports every major maritime warfare function, including air defense, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, air strike capability and missile defense.

The 22nd MEU is a force capable of conducting amphibious operations, aviation operations and ground combat operations. The unit is composed of a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, an Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced), a Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22 and its Command Element.

Kearsarge ESG is also capable of providing advanced disaster relief and medical support. Kearsarge alone can treat over 600 patients while still providing essential treatment to crew members and embarked troops.

While operating in the Mediterranean, the strike group visited 13 ports in eight nations and participated in over 20 community relations events in two weeks, further strengthening partnerships between the United States and partner countries.

After transiting the Suez Canal, the group made a brief stop in Djibouti to provide humanitarian supplies to two charities through the Navy’s program “Project Handclasp.”

Through this and other humanitarian efforts, the Navy is able to promote mutual understanding, respect and good will between Americans and the citizens of other countries.

Maritime Security Operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counterterrorism and security efforts in regional nations’ littoral waters.

LCACs Conduct Landing at Lejuene

A Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) departs the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) carrying supplies to the beach at Camp Lejune, N.C. Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group and embarked Assault Craft Unit Four (ACU) 4 and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are participating a combined unit training exercise in preparation for their deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick Gearhiser

Kearsarge ESG Begins COMPTUEX

Ahead up for East Coast Monitors:

The Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) began their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) May 14.

COMPTUEX is a pre-deployment certification that prepares an ESG for overseas deployment. The exercise consists of multiple scenarios conducted during a three-week time period.

“COMPTUEX is a stressful simulated combat environment that will pace the entire strike group across an entire spectrum of operations,” said Commodore Robert Bougher, Kearsarge Strike Group commander. “It allows the strike group to develop pre-planned responses, a way of thinking about combat operations, and build the synergy required for victory in a combat environment.”

Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked aboard Kearsarge are working side-by-side with Sailors to form unit cohesiveness and forge the bond between a “blue and green” team.

“We brought 900 Marines, the entire MEU consists of around 2,100 Marines on three ships: Kearsarge, USS Ponce (LPD 15) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44),” said Bougher.

Sailors and Marines aboard Kearsarge are preparing for the drills and exercises of COMPTUEX designed to push the crew through the challenges of actual combat.

“The exercise is built up, initially, of individual exercises. It is then broken down by individual ships, warfare commanders such as air defense, anti-submarine and surface warfare, and that builds the operation tempo up to a combat problem,” said Bougher.

The crew itself will also have to adapt to new circumstances with the added pressure of COMPTUEX and the arrival of the 22nd MEU.

“I think the biggest part as far as the crew is concerned has been the large influx of people,” said Kearsarge Command Master Chief (SW) Kenneth Delaruelle. “We have more than doubled the size of our crew which poses some challenges, such as the chow lines, training the Marines on when, where and how to wear the proper protective gear, and getting used to cleaning the ship at specific times of the day. The integration has been very positive to date, and I expect that to continue as we build our blue-green team.”

Each of the departments aboard Kearsarge has been preparing for COMPTUEX and feels they are ready to undergo the test.

“AIMD (Air Intermediate Maintenance Department) is fully prepared to get through the evaluations and have a successful deployment,” said Chief Aviations Electronics Technician Michael Oxendine. “We have many good Sailors and augmented Marines and we stand by to make this a successful COMPTUEX.”

In preparation for COMPTUEX, Kearsarge took on more than 220 pallets of military equipment, supplies and food. Sailors worked long hours to ensure the ship was “ready for sea” and able to sustain life and mission readiness over the duration of the exercise.

“The onload is very teamwork intensive,” said Lt. Ignacio Valadez, Kearsarge’s safety officer. “Everyone has a part in the evolution from Supply Department to AIMD for the fork truck maintenance, to Weapons Department and Supply Department for driving the fork lifts and providing ramp guards for safety.”

Capt. James Gregorski, USS Kearsarge commanding officer, told the crew that the best can get better and welcomed the challenge.

Kearsarge ESG consists of the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge, elements of the 22nd MEU, based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., the amphibious transport dock Gunston Hall, the dock landing ship Ponce, the guided missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52), the guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78), the guided missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69), and the nuclear fast-attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755).