Iwo Jima ESG Transits Suez Canal

Navy NewsStand ^ | Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Mike Jones

[SandRat]

USS IWO JIMA , At Sea (NNS) -- USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Nashville (LPD 13), both assigned to the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), successfully and safely transited the Suez Canal, Aug. 20.

As part of Commander, Task Force 59, both ships, and Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) provided crucial departure assistance to American citizens in Lebanon looking to leave the troubled region. USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) remained on station off Lebanon, ready to provide additional assistance as needed.

“Every Sailor and Marine was up to the task at hand and tackled this challenge flawlessly,” remarked Commander, Iwo Jima Strike Group, Capt. Sinclair Harris. “The stellar efforts of all hands guaranteed the safe departure of our American citizens.”

Under the direction of Commander, Task Force 59, Marine Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen, naval assets transported thousands of American citizens from Lebanon to Cyprus and Turkey.

In addition to Iwo Jima, Nashville and Whidbey Island, USS Gonzales (DDG 66), USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Trenton (LPD 14) and USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) also assisted with the departure of American citizens.

Iwo Jima serves as the flagship for the Iwo Jima ESG, which includes Nashville, Whidbey Island, Cole, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), and USS Albuquerque (SSN 706). Additionally, the Iwo Jima ESG includes the 24th MEU (SOC), as well as various supporting elements from Assault Craft Unit 4, Beachmaster Unit 2, and HSC 26.

Iwo Jima left its homeport of Norfolk, Va., June 6, and began a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command area of responsibilities to conduct maritime security operations (MSO).

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other materials.

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

[SandRat]

Fair Skies and Following Winds

[rwgal]

Kick azz and take no names......Semper Fi.

Meadow Muffin

[NormsRevenge]

This one is for Meadow Miffin. ;p)

This photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps. shows Marine Lance Cpl. Corey Chiappazzi, looking down the site of his machine gun on the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima as it sails through the Suez Canal Aug. 20, 2006. Marines are in the Red Sea after helping evacuate nearly 15,000 U.S. civilians during fighting between Lebanon and Israel. Ships transporting the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit left the Mediterranean Sea and sailed Sunday through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, according to spokesman Capt. David Nevers. (AP Photo/U.S. Marines, Joshua Lujan)

[headstamp]

Racked and ready.......

[NormsRevenge]

side note,,

after the 1983 Marine Barracks Beirut Lebanon bombing, I had a nephew floating on the iwo Jima waiting for the words.. waitng for the order.

Times change, or do they?

[Parley Baer]

Hmmmmm. Maybe heading for the coast of Iran to keep an eye on the nutjob?

[rwgal]

Thanks. While in Vietnam I was aboard on the USS Okinawa for a year.....glad to see they are still using the M 60..

[headstamp]

I hear you on that. I had a young cousin who just happened to be out on a Marine patrol away from the building when the '83 attack happened.

[rmlew]

ACtually, this is not the same ship. Your nephew sevred on LPH-2. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lph-2.htm
These ships were built in the 1960's and retired in the 1990's. The LHD-7 Iwo Jima was commisioned in 2001.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lhd-1-unit.htm

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for that info, it might have been the Tarawa or the Tripoli too, not sure which was deoployed in the Med or Atlantic at that time. He said they were ready to go if called, the call never came.

[El Gato]

USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) remained on station off Lebanon, ready to provide additional assistance as needed.

Good to see that the Cole is back at work.

With any luck, she'll get to whack a few IslamoFacists while she's going about her business.

[El Gato]

glad to see they are still using the M 60.

Pretty sure that's an M-240. A much better weapon BTW, although it fires the same 7.62x51 round.

M-240

M-60

[rwgal]

My bad, I stand corrected.

Meadow Muffin