SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to their San Diego homeport on Friday after a deployment near the Middle East, Mediterranean and Horn of Africa.
The Essex Amphibious Ready Group includes the assault ship USS Essex and two amphibious docks, the USS Anchorage and the USS Rushmore. According to the Navy, the deployment was significant in that it was the first time the Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II was deployed in combat.
"The Essex was embarked with the next generation of air assets," said Capt. Gerald Olin, the commander of the Navy's Amphibious Squadron. "The full integration of the Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II drastically enhanced the ARG/MEU lethality and proved to be a credible strike and defense capability. ... This Essex deployment perfectly demonstrated the promising future of aviation for the ARG/MEU teams."
The more than 4,500 troops worked with U.S. allies throughout their deployment to strengthen strategic partnerships and combat readiness. The troops also interacted with local cultures in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Italy, Spain, Thailand, India and the United Arab Emirates.
"Our sailors and Marines did an absolutely fantastic job this deployment," said Capt. Brian Mutty, the commanding officer of the USS Essex. "It was impressive to watch the Navy/Marine Corps teams execute every mission we were tasked with."
