Essex Amphibious Ready Group Enters 5th Fleet

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Brett McMinoway | ARABIAN SEA (September 13, 2021) Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), right, amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), left, and amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), transit the Arabian Sea, Sept. 13. The Essex Amphibious Ready Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brett McMinoway)  

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

09.12.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brett McMinoway 

USS Essex (LHD 2)

ARABIAN SEA (September 12, 2021) – Amphibious assault ship USS ESSEX (LHD 2), flagship of the ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group (ESX ARG), along with amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, Sept. 12.
While in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, the ESX ARG and 11th MEU will operate and train alongside regional and coalition partners.
As an inherently flexible maneuver force, capable of supporting routine and contingency operations, the ARG/MEU’s presence demonstrates the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps commitment to regional partners and maritime security.
The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2021
• Date Posted: 09.14.2021 03:26
• Story ID: 405139
• Location: U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY