USS Boxer Completes South China Sea Patrol

Photo By Craig Rodarte | 160715-N-YR245-207 STRAIT OF HORMUZ (July 15, 2016) An AH-1Z Viper helicopter, assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), patrols waters near the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Boxer is the flagship for the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th MEU, is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Craig Z. Rodarte/Released)  

UNITED STATES

08.06.2016

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class MATTHEW JACKSON 

USS Boxer (LHD 4)

The U.S Navy conducts lawful and routine patrols throughout the Western Pacific year round. Another ship from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), , completed a similar patrol Aug. 4.

"Our routine presence here helps promote the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all countries," said Capt. Patrick Foege, commander of Amphibious Squadron One. "The crew of Boxer conducted the transit professionally and without incident, and we were grateful for the opportunity to do our part to ensure these critical waterways remain open to everyone."

The patrol followed Boxer’s port visit to Singapore during which Sailors and Marines participated in military-to-military subject matter expert exchanges with the Singapore Navy, Aug. 2.The exchanges allowed Sailors and Marines to share tactics and capabilities with their Singaporean counterparts.

USS Boxer (LHD 4), flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, with amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the Western Pacific in support of security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

While in 7th Fleet, the Boxer ARG and 13th MEU and assigned to Commander, Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force, headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa.

For more on the Boxer, please visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd4

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy

For more news from COMPHIBRON ONE, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/CPR1/

• Date Taken: 08.06.2016
• Date Posted: 08.12.2016 04:13
• Story ID: 206885
• Location: US