USS Yorktown Deploys as Part of Expeditionary Strike Group

Navy News Stand ^ | Feb. 18, 2004 | Stacey Byington

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

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

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.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

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."

 

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USS Yorktown CG-48 

 

 

 

Godspeed, Sailors!

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  NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

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

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Tallguy]

I wonder if the formation of this package means that the CV's are 'off-line' for a long re-fit?

[Coop]

Be safe and successful, Sailors!

[CasearianDaoist]

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.

[rmlew]

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?

[SAMWolf]

I remember when the YORKTOWN was a Carrier, Bump

[justshutupandtakeit]

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.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

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!

[blackie]

Go Navy!!

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

The Carrier Yorktown is permanently berthed right here in Charleston, South Carolina. When I saw the title, I was wondering about that myself.

[Bottom_Gun]

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.

[Keith]

we will use the cruise missiles aboard?

[SAMWolf]

I guess since they're naming Carriers after Presidents now They used the name for the Cruiser.

[Rebelbase]

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.

[Severa]

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.

[Bottom_Gun]

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

[rmlew]

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.