The USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard, and the USS Harpers Ferry and USS Germantown amphibious
dock landing ships have arrived in the Sea of Japan and will conduct operations from Japan's west coast due to concerns about radiation levels closer to the Fukushima reactor site on the east coast.
The
dock landing ship arrived Sunday from Sasebo in southwestern Japan.
A more ambitious decision would include the regular deployment of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), comprising a Navy element (think an amphibious assault ship,
dock landing ship, or amphibious transport dock) in addition to an MEU.
While underway April 11, Ford was the closest available responder when a Sailor on
dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) required medical evacuation.
This year, three US warships - the guided missile destroyer USS John McCain,
dock landing ship USNS Ashland and salvage ship USNS Safeguard - will be participating in CARAT Philippines 2014.
He added the United States Navy would use one of its destroyers, USS Halsey, a
dock landing ship, USS Ashland, and a rescue ship, USS Safeguard.
Consisting of more than 4,500 Sailors and Marines, the Boxer ARG/13th MEU is composed of its command ship, amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and amphibious
dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).
Also, Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Stephen Tremble from the amphibious
dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) received Best in Show for Contemporary Hot Pastry category.
MANILA -- An amphibious
dock landing ship of the United States 7th Fleet will arrive in Manila on Tuesday to participate in the US-RP Balikatan exercises, the US Embassy said.
The other two vessels commonly are the transport dock ship (LSD-class) and the
dock landing ship (LPD-class).