More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) will return to San Diego Tuesday.
After a seven-month deployment in which they served as the crisis response option in the region, participated in bi-lateral training events with partner regions and launched airstrikes against ISIL, the sailors and Marines are back in San Diego for the first time since departing May 11.
"The Sailors and Marines of the Essex ARG/15th MEU team brought a uniquely flexible, adaptable and responsive force to the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet [areas of operation]," said Navy Capt. Clinton A. Carroll, commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3. "The Essex ARG/15th MEU team was the 'Swiss Army Knife' of military capability across a wide range of military operations."
The Essex ARG consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, the amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore, along with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
ARG-MEU operations are designed and implemented to disrupt violent extremists' illegal activities such as hijacking, piracy, weapons smuggling, and human trafficking.
