As a part of the U.S. seventh Fleet’s Ahead-Deployed Naval Forces in Japan, Ashland improved interoperability with allies and companions in help of safety and stability within the Indo-Pacific.
“I’m extremely happy with the exhausting work and dedication displayed by the Ashland crew throughout our time in seventh Fleet,” stated Cmdr. Dirk Sonnenberg, commanding officer of Ashland. “The work we did whereas forward-deployed is unmatched for an amphibious dock touchdown ship. We’re excited to deliver that keenness to third Fleet and Expeditionary Strike Group 3.”
Since 2013, Ashland has participated in quite a few operations and workout routines throughout the Indo-Pacific to incorporate Iron Fist, Balikatan, Talisman Sabre, and Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Coaching (CARAT) sequence occasions throughout 16 forward-deployed patrols. Moreover, the crew carried out humanitarian help and catastrophe response operations in Saipan and Tinian in 2015 and 2018.
ESG 3 includes three amphibious squadrons, 15 amphibious warships, and eight naval help components together with roughly 18,000 active-duty and reserve Sailors and Marines. Because the deputy commander for amphibious and littoral warfare, U.S. third Fleet, the ESG 3 commander additionally oversees Mine Countermeasures Group 3 and the 14 littoral fight ships and two subordinate divisions beneath Littoral Fight Ship Squadron 1. ESG 3 is postured in help of U.S. third Fleet as a globally responsive and scalable naval command aspect, able to producing, deploying, and using naval forces and formations for disaster and contingency response, ahead presence, and main fight operations specializing in amphibious operations, humanitarian and catastrophe reduction and help to protection civil authorities, and expeditionary logistics.
For extra information from Expeditionary Strike Group 3, go to https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/esg3/.
