Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group Arrives in 7th Fleet
USS TARAWA, At sea - USS Tarawa (LHA 1) Expeditionary Strike Group (TAR ESG) entered the U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility (AOR) Nov. 19, as part of a deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability.
http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2007/november/12.htm
By Lt. Stephanie Murdock, Tarawa ESG Public Affairs Officer
Posted: 11/19/2007
While TAR ESG, led by Capt. John Miley, is scheduled to transit through the U.S. 7th Fleet to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) to provide support for coalition forces operating there, the ESG remains ready to respond to any mission in any theater of operation.
Since the beginning of 2007, TAR ESG has completed multiple training events, qualifications and inspections, leading up to certification as a combat-ready strike group.
“Our excellent preparation will allow us to take on a wide variety of missions that may come our way during our transit through the Pacific en route the Arabian Gulf,” said Miley. “Our ESG has the proven flexibility and combat power vital for conducting operations worldwide and we are more than ready to face any challenges that we may be asked to undertake.”
TAR ESG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship Tarawa, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) One, the transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) the dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) the guided missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70), and the guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG-61) as well as the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 11the MEU, commanded by Col. John Bullard, is comprised of a command element, ground combat element, an air combat element, and a combat logistical support element.
In all, more than 5,500 Sailors and Marines are assigned to the TAR ESG.
Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet is permanently embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), which is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. The U.S. 7th Fleet AOR includes more than 52 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian Oceans -- stretching from the International Date Line to the east coast of Africa, and from the Kuril Islands in the north to the Antarctic in the south.
More than half of the world's population lives within the U.S. 7th Fleet AOR. In addition, more than 80 percent of that population lives within 500 miles of the oceans, which means this is an inherently maritime region.
TAR ESG is headed west to provide support for U.S. and coalition forces operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet and will support Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, be prepared to take part in Horn of Africa operations, and conduct maritime security operations (MSO). Coalition forces conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.