USS Ashland embarks Marines for patrol

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. David Levy | 160129-N-MP556-030 OKINAWA, Japan (Jan. 29, 2016) - An amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) departs White Beach Naval Facility to embark the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48). Ashland is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and are on deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. David Levy/Released)  

USS ASHLAND, OKINAWA, JAPAN

01.30.2016

Courtesy Story

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kelsey L. Adams, Commander Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs

SOUTH CHINA SEA - Sailors aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) embarked the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Jan. 28-29 for a patrol of the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

During the onload, Ashland Sailors worked alongside the Marines to load vehicles and equipment necessary to conduct amphibious operations and participate in multinational exercises throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

“Ashland is at its highest readiness to embark Marines,” said Lt. Kyle Reckler, first lieutenant aboard Ashland. “The splash and recovery of the amphibious assault vessels (AAV) was a great example of positive flexing from both the Navy and Marine Corps to load the AAVs in a safe and efficient manner.”

While Ashland Sailors have been preparing for this patrol for the past few months aboard the ship, the 31st MEU has been busy training for the upcoming exercises on the shore.

“The 31st MEU does a good job of making sure we understand our mission set and capabilities,” said 1st Lt. Andrew Powell, the team embarkation officer for the 31st MEU. “When we are preparing for what we could possibly do across the range of military operations. The MEU conveys the message and gives realistic training to make sure we are mission ready.”

The blue-green team is currently en route to participate in exercise Cobra Gold (CG) 2016. CG is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored joint exercise designed to advance regional security by exercising a robust multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Ashland is one of three ships that comprise the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is scheduled to meet up with amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) at a later date.

• Date Taken: 01.30.2016
• Date Posted: 01.30.2016 02:44
• Story ID: 187472
• Location: USS ASHLAND, OKINAWA, JP