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Lincoln Strike Group and Kearsarge ARG Exercise Together Outside Persian Gulf By: Megan Eckstein May 20, 2019 2:18 PM The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) and Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) conduct joint operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations on May 17, 2019, in the Arabian Sea. The ABECSG and KSGARG, with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, are prepared to respond to contingencies and to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region. US Navy photo. As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise and fall, a Navy carrier strike group and amphibious...

As she prepares to answer questions about the Benghazi attacks of 2012, Hillary Clinton has hired former Obama aide Tommy Vietor to help with the roll out of her new book. Earlier this month, Vietor, a former Obama administration national security spokesman, appeared on Fox News to defend the administration’s response to the attacks and famously said to anchor Bret Baier: “Dude, this was like two years ago.” Here is the transcript from that exchange: BAIER: Did you also change ‘attacks’ to ‘demonstrations’ in the talking points? VIETOR: Maybe. I don’t really remember. BAIER: You don’t remember? VIETOR: Dude, this...

ABOARD USS KEARSARGEIT'S been 56 months since the onset of the Long War. Time for a break. So this most modern of the Navy's warships - recently back from the Mideast and in training for a return trip - turns her bow toward New York City and Fleet Week liberty for her 1,800 sailors and Marines. What sort of a ship is she? "Forty-thousand tons of twisted steel and sex-appeal," says Rear Adm. Garry Hall, with a broad smile. "There's no beach beyond our reach." It's a time-tested trope, no doubt about that, but no less true for the re-telling...

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (NNS) -- More than 1,000 Sailors and 600 Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) arrived in New York May 24 for Fleet Week 2006. Kearsarge, along with seven other U.S. naval ships will visit Manhattan and Staten Island for the annual celebration from May 24-31. “Fleet Week allows us to show the character of our Sailors and Marines and the quality of the Kearsarge’s, equipment, technology and capabilities,” said Capt. Joseph Sensi, Kearsarge’s commanding officer. “We thank New York for showing such appreciation and support for those of us who serve.” During their visit,...

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon in December for action while in Aquaba, Jordan, in August. The Combat Action Ribbon is awarded to a ship’s crew when the safety of the ship and crew is endangered by enemy attack - such as a ship engaged by shore fire - and the ship’s crew performance is considered satisfactory. Kearsarge’s robust force protection measures thwarted a terrorist attack while pierside in Aquaba with USS Ashland (LSD 48) Aug. 19 in support of Exercise Infinite Moonlight, a two-week training exercise between...

USS Portland, Crew of 320 Returns Home By SONJA BARISIC .c The Associated Press VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) - Hundreds of families stood in the rain and fog Friday, cheering as the USS Portland became the first East Coast-based Navy ship to return home from the war in Iraq. During its three-month mission, the Portland and its crew of 320 delivered combat Marines and equipment to Kuwait. It came home a bit early because of a needed repair. ``This is an answered prayer,'' said Cheryl Douglas, 47, of Virginia Beach. She was anxiously waiting at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base...

PORT SAID, Egypt: Seven US warships crossed the Suez Canal on Tuesday heading to the Gulf to join the US military buildup in preparation for a possible attack on Iraq. The seven amphibious ships, based in Norfolk, Virginia, carry more than 4,750 sailors and 7,000 Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. They are the USS Kearsarge, Bataan, Saipan, Ponce, Gunston Hall, Ashland and Portland. In Washington, defence officials said on Monday that the USS Abraham Lincoln, one of the Navy's latest Nimitz-class carriers with more than 5,000 sailors and naval aviators aboard, had re-entered the Arabian Sea over the...