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USS Essex departing Naval Station San Diego, Calif. on July 10, 2018. Photo via Facebook
This post has been updated to include a statement from U.S. Pacific Fleet.
THE PENTAGON — The three-ship Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit left San Diego, Calif., on Tuesday with little fanfare for an expected Western Pacific and Middle East deployment, a defense official confirmed to USNI News on Thursday. Read More
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) arrives in San Diego on May 8, 2018. US Navy Photo
Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) arrived in its new homeport San Diego today, after spending six years serving as the forward-deployed flagship of Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, based in Sasebo, Japan.
The following is the April 25, 2018 Government Accountability Office report, Warfighter Support: DOD Needs to Share F-35 Operational Lessons Across the Military Services Read More
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departs Fleet Activities Sasebo on April 18, 2018. Bonhomme Richard has been the flagship of the Amphibious Force 7th Fleet since April 2012 and will now transit to its new homeport in San Diego for follow-on operations and eventual upgrades to become F-35B Lightning II capable. US Navy photo.
After six years serving as the forward-deployed flagship of Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) is heading back to the U.S. and its new homeport of San Diego.
An MH-60S Knighthawk attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) approaches the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) on March 20, 2018. US Navy Photo
Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is expected to participate in the annual Foal Eagle joint exercise with the Republic of Korea early next month.
Her Majesty The Queen on Tuesday in a decommissioning ceremeony HMS Ocean (L12). Royal Navy Photo
Queen Elizabeth II decommissioned one of the largest British warships, the former Royal Navy flagship HMS Ocean (L12), during a ceremony Tuesday aboard the amphibious ship at the RN’s Devonport Naval Base.
Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) John Jacob directs an F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) on March 5, 2018. US Navy Photo
ARLINGTON, Va. – The head of the Marine Corps said introducing the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to American’s amphibious forces is key to the service’s future fights from the sea. Read More
Marines assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) look on as an F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 prepares to touch down on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1). US Navy Photo
The Marines have sent their first operational squadron of F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters to sea for the aircraft’s first deployment on Monday, the service announced. Read More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Allen Goodyear, the squadron sergeant major for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, signals for an F-35B Lightning II to take off from the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Exercise Dawn Blitz. US Marine Corps Photo
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The first stateside Marine expeditionary unit to deploy with the F-35B Lightning II wrapped up a unit-level exercise last week as Marine Corps and Navy commanders prepare to train their forces at sea ahead of their first deployment with Joint Strike Fighters. Read More
USS AMERICA, At Sea – An F-35B Lightning II aircraft completes Envelope Expansion Testing during a Short Take-off Vertical Landing aboard USS America, Oct. 30, 2016. US Marine Corps Photo
The surface Navy is looking to capitalize on recent successes increasing ships’ offensive range and lethality, with the next task being added sensing and targeting capabilities to support its new weaponry.
