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PACIFIC OCEAN –The Bonhomme Richard
Expeditionary Strike Group (BHRESG) entered the 7th Fleet Area of
Responsibility (AOR) April 23, while en route to the Arabian Gulf in
support of the Global War on Terror.
BHRESG is a rapid response strike group available for humanitarian or
non-combatant evacuation operations.
While operating in the 7th Fleet AOR, the BHRESG will conduct drills
and exercises to prepare for operations in the Persian Gulf.
The strike group proved their many capabilities prior to deployment by
successfully completing their Composite Training Unit and Joint Task
Force Exercises.
“Throughout our strike group integration, Composite Training Unit and
Joint Task Force Exercises, the Sailors and Marines of the Bonhomme
Richard Expeditionary Strike Group have been training to support fleet
requirements,” said Capt. Bradley D. Martin, commander of BHRESG and
Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 7. “Today we are a joint, seamless
strike group properly trained, capable and ready to flex to the fleet
commander’s mission tasking.”
BHRESG is comprised of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Denver (LPD
9), USS Rushmore (LSD 47), USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG
93), and USS Chosin (CG 65). The strike group also includes PHIBRON 7
and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The BHRESG serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7
/ Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious
force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility,
Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.
Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, the U.S. Seventh
Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. Fleets, with
approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines
assigned at any given time.
For more information, visit the U.S. 7th Fleet Web site at
http://www.c7f.navy.mil. |
