Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

USS Yorktown Deploys as Part of Expeditionary Strike Group
Navy News Stand ^ | Feb. 18, 2004 | Stacey Byington

Posted on 02/18/2004 8:49:38 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl

USS Yorktown Deploys as Part of Expeditionary Strike Group
Story Number: NNS040218-01
Release Date: 2/18/2004 7:16:00 AM

Top News Story - Editors should consider using these stories first in local publications.

By Stacey Byington, Naval Station Pascagoula Public Affairs

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Yorktown (CG 48) and its crew of approximately 400 deployed Feb. 17 from its homeport at Naval Station Pascagoula to be part of the USS Wasp (LHD 1) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), which is making its maiden deployment as an ESG in support of the global war on terrorism.

The ESG concept is centered on the proven flexibility and combat power of a combined Amphibious Readiness Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit. The ESG adds the robust strike, anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-subsurface capabilities of two cruisers, a destroyer and an attack submarine. These combined capabilities give the combat commander a wider variety of options and enables independent operations in more dynamic environments.

"The significance of this deployment," said Yorktown commanding officer, Cmdr. Steven Sloan, "is that this is the first time in several years that a Pascagoula-based ship has deployed to Europe and the Middle East. This is the first time any Pascagoula ship has been part of an Expeditionary Strike Group."

Yorktown is slated to be the surface warfare commander for the strike group, meaning that the ship and its crew will lead the defense of the group against any surface threat.

"No boats will get close to the Wasp," said Sloan. "We have a very formidable striking power and are able to back up the Marines in a low or medium threat condition. I believe we will be a very credible asset to the theater commander."

Yorktown is capable of carrying an extensive array of weapons and electronic equipment at high speeds over vast distances. The ship's Aegis combat system can detect, track and destroy enemy aircraft, missiles, submarines and surface ships to ensure victory in battle. The system, comprised of radars, computers and weapons, is designed to function effectively in all weather conditions and hostile environments.

Yorktown will be deployed for six months, and although the crew is looking forward to making their mark in the war of terrorism, there is some anxiety.

"This will be the first deployment for a number of the crew," said Sloan. "They are a little bit anxious but are looking forward to the deployment. The ship is well trained, and we are ready to go. We are ready!"

Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 3rd Class Daniel Harton, of Glade Springs, Va., is making his first deployment.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "The ship has trained hard, and we are ready to go. The question is, 'Are they ready for us?'"

Operations Specialist 2nd Class Paul Francois, of New Roads, La., added, "The ship is ready to go, but it's hard leaving the family."

The Wasp Strike Group is commanded by Capt. Steven C. Joachim, and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is commanded by Marine Col. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. In addition to Yorktown, the strike group consists of the amphibious assault ship Wasp, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), homeported in Norfolk, Va.; the amphibious transport ship USS Shreveport (LPD 12), homeported in Norfolk, Va.; the dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), homeported at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va.; the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), homeported in Norfolk, Va.; and the fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22), homeported in Groton, Conn. The MEU is composed of the Marine aviation squadron, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 266, the battalion landing team, BLT 1/6, and the MEU Service and Support Group (MSSG) 22.

For related news, visit the Naval Station Pascagoula Navy NewsStand page at
www.news.navy.mil/local/nspascagoula.



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: Mississippi; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: cg48; esg; gnfi; lhd1; shipmovement; usn; ussyorktown
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

1 posted on 02/18/2004 8:49:39 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; ...
PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Yorktown (CG 48) and its crew of approximately 400 deployed Feb. 17 from its homeport at Naval Station Pascagoula to be part of the USS Wasp (LHD 1) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), which is making its maiden deployment as an ESG in support of the global war on terrorism.

Yorktown commanding officer, Cmdr. Steven Sloan, "This is the first time any Pascagoula ship has been part of an Expeditionary Strike Group."

Yorktown is slated to be the surface warfare commander for the strike group, meaning that the ship and its crew will lead the defense of the group against any surface threat.

"No boats will get close to the Wasp," said Sloan. "We have a very formidable striking power and are able to back up the Marines in a low or medium threat condition. I believe we will be a very credible asset to the theater commander."
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ %
USS Yorktown CG-48 
 
 
 
Godspeed, Sailors!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
  NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

2 posted on 02/18/2004 8:52:49 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("(We)..come to rout out tyranny from its nest. Confusion to the enemy." - B. Taylor, US Marine, 2/28)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Welcome Aboard! USS Wasp (LHD 1)

http://www.wasp.navy.mil/

"First in the Fleet" Bringing the Sting

3 posted on 02/18/2004 8:54:19 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("(We)..come to rout out tyranny from its nest. Confusion to the enemy." - B. Taylor, US Marine, 2/28)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Bump!
4 posted on 02/18/2004 9:22:38 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
I wonder if the formation of this package means that the CV's are 'off-line' for a long re-fit?
5 posted on 02/18/2004 9:24:15 AM PST by Tallguy (Cannot rate this Freepers fitness: Not observed on this thread.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Be safe and successful, Sailors!
6 posted on 02/18/2004 9:25:05 AM PST by Coop ("Hero" is the last four-letter word I'd use to describe John Kerry.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Tallguy
No, there are plans to have ESGs in addition to the CV groups. It all depends on the budgets. One plan is to have 12 ESGs (one for each MEU.) That would be the best result. It might get folded up to on per MEB (Marine Expeditonary Brigade.)

The MEUs are getting pretty defenseless sitting out there with out any real defenses but the fixed air squadron attached to the MEU. It makes great sense. Hope they can get the monies.

7 posted on 02/18/2004 9:52:44 AM PST by CasearianDaoist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
The Yorktown is a relatively old ship. Howevber, the deployment of the USS CONNECTICUT (SSN-22)in this unit is interesting. The USS CONNECTICUT (SSN-22) is a Seawolf class submarine. I find it interesting that we would deploy our most sophisticated sub with a MEU in the middle east.
I wonder what the enemy sub threat is?
Are we expecting a problem with Iran?
8 posted on 02/18/2004 10:29:55 AM PST by rmlew (Peaceniks and isolationists are objectively pro-Terrorist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
I remember when the YORKTOWN was a Carrier, Bump
9 posted on 02/18/2004 10:50:42 AM PST by SAMWolf (Terrorists are vulnerable to silver bullets... and any other bullets.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
My eldest graduated from basic training at Great Lakes last friday as an E3. He will now proceed to Charleston for nuclear engineering training. It was great to see the new sailors and to meet a few of his buddies on Monday.

Guess I will have to run down to Charleston on occasion.

Thanks to all those great Freepers who included him in their prayers and asked that God cover him with his protective love.
10 posted on 02/18/2004 10:58:34 AM PST by justshutupandtakeit (America's Enemies foreign and domestic agree: Bush must be destroyed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: justshutupandtakeit
Please thank your son from this grateful civilian.

You know that many on the homefront (and around the world) are praying for all our troops.

I think many of our enemies know that, too!

11 posted on 02/18/2004 11:44:10 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("(We)..come to rout out tyranny from its nest. Confusion to the enemy." - B. Taylor, US Marine, 2/28)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Go Navy!!
12 posted on 02/18/2004 11:54:44 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SAMWolf
The Carrier Yorktown is permanently berthed right here in Charleston, South Carolina. When I saw the title, I was wondering about that myself.
13 posted on 02/18/2004 11:57:58 AM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult (Proud member of the right wing extremist Neanderthals.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
prayers go with the Strike group, the wife (Navygal) was onboard the Wasp until November, have a lot of friends there who we're still in e-mail contact with. Most of them were there wit her on the last major deployment 15 months ago.
14 posted on 02/18/2004 12:00:01 PM PST by Bottom_Gun (Crush depth dummy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: rmlew
we will use the cruise missiles aboard?
15 posted on 02/18/2004 12:00:02 PM PST by Keith
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys Gate Cult
I guess since they're naming Carriers after Presidents now They used the name for the Cruiser.
16 posted on 02/18/2004 12:00:27 PM PST by SAMWolf (Terrorists are vulnerable to silver bullets... and any other bullets.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: rmlew
I was reading Blind Man's Bluff this morning and ran across a couple of paragraphs that said we had attack subs all over the Med, and Indian Ocean pulling guard duty for convoys during Gulf War I.
17 posted on 02/18/2004 12:05:39 PM PST by Rebelbase (The gravy train makes unscheduled stops.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase
The USS Louisville (named after my hometown *s*) is noted at being the first in wartime to launch a Tomahawk while submerged, and this was during the first Gulf War.
18 posted on 02/18/2004 12:11:10 PM PST by Severa (Wife of Freeper Hostel, USN STS3(SS) currently on 6 month deployment)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase
I can neither confirm or denigh...but the first subs "offically" in the gulf, were AFTER the Gulf war *L*

Submarine Vet 80 to 92
19 posted on 02/18/2004 4:09:01 PM PST by Bottom_Gun (Crush depth dummy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Keith
we will use the cruise missiles aboard?
No idea.
We have nothing to hit in Iraq. I doubt we would use cruise missles in Afghanistan now.
That leaves Iran.
20 posted on 02/18/2004 7:07:20 PM PST by rmlew (Peaceniks and isolationists are objectively pro-Terrorist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson