The U.S. Navy’s Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) conduct Expeditionary Strike Force operations in the South China Sea on Friday (April 9). (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Faith McCollum/U.S. Navy)
The U.S. Navy’s Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) conduct Expeditionary Strike Force operations in the South China Sea on Friday (April 9). The U.S. Seventh Fleet posted a video of the exercise on Facebook.
The U.S. military is believed to be responding to a recent military exercise conducted by the Liaoning aircraft carrier group in the Western Pacific Ocean.
A press release from the USS Roosevelt carrier strike group said ships and military aircraft from the two strike groups coordinated operations in international waters and conducted a multi-domain naval integration exercise in support of a free and open Indian Pacific.
“Combining the capabilities of the Carrier Strike Group with those of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group enhances our tactical skills and demonstrates our continued dedication to the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.” Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander of the carrier USS Roosevelt, said, “The joint Navy-Marine Corps team has been a stabilizing force in the region for more than a century and will continue to support all those who share a common vision for peace, stability and freedom of the seas.”
While the two strike groups coordinate operations together, Operation Joint Expeditionary Force participates in a variety of exercises, including tactical maneuvers and establishing joint command and control communications, the release said.
Stewart Bateshansky, commander of Amphibious Squadron Three, said the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Carrier Strike Group of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group is a valuable Navy expeditionary force deployment in the region.
He said, “This expeditionary strike force is a strong indication that we have a combat force that can be trusted to respond to any contingency, deter aggression and provide regional security and stability in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet regularly conducts forward-looking naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific region, the release said. As the largest fleet in the U.S. Navy, the 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that promote maritime security, foster stability and prevent conflict.
The USS Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group consists of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy’s Carrier Air Wing 11, the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, the 23rd Destroyer Squadron (Destroyer Squadron), and the U.S. Navy. 23rd Destroyer Squadron, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Russell.
The carrier strike group air strike formation includes the 31st Combat Strike Fighter Squadron (VAF-31), 87th Combat Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-87), 146th Combat Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-146), 154th Combat Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-154), 115th Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW-115), 142nd Electronic Warfare Flight (VAQ-142), 75th Helicopter Maritime Strike Group (HMS), and the USS Russell. 142), the 75th Helicopter Sea Attack Squadron (HSM-75), the 8th Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC-8 Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron), and the Fleet Logistic Support Squadron 30 (Fleet Logistic Support Squadron VRC30).
The Mackinac Island Amphibious Ready Group includes three ships: the amphibious assault ship USS Mackinac Island, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Somerset LPD 25 and the amphibious transport ship USS San Diego LPD-22, as well as the U.S. Navy’s 23rd Wildcards helicopter squadron, and the U.S. Navy’s U.S.S. Wildcards helicopter squadron. Wildcards, HSL-49 Scorpion light anti-submarine helicopter squadron, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11 and Attack Boat Detachment 5.
In addition, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit includes the command, an air combat unit consisting of the 164th Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron, a ground combat unit consisting of a landing party, and a logistics combat element consisting of the 15th Combat Logistics Battalion.
The Theodore Roosevelt strike group left San Diego last Dec. 23 for a scheduled deployment to the Indian Pacific.
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