PLYMOUTH, England – Commodore Peter Coulson, Commander of Her Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Devonport, visited the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), operating as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group (IWOARG), April 24, 2021.
After weeks spent transiting the Atlantic Ocean from its homeport in Norfolk, Carter Hall moored at HMNB Devonport, April 17, for a routine maintenance stop, where the ship received supplies, parts and food stores.
"It was a pleasure to host Commodore Coulson on a tour of Carter Hall and show him our ship's capabilities,” said Cmdr. LaDonna Simpson, Carter Hall’s commanding officer. “Our visit to Plymouth was extremely beneficial for crew morale, routine upkeep and critical ship repairs. The ability to conduct forward deployed maintenance is a force multiplier that allows us to quickly conduct repairs and get back to the mission. Our visit to Naval Base Devonport absolutely strengthens our maritime commitments to the Royal Navy and reassures both sides of mutual support going forward."
During the tour, Simpson escorted Coulson through the ship’s well deck, aboard the Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1661 and then to the flight deck where he was shown the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (24th MEU) Joint Littoral Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs).
The largest naval base in Western Europe, Devonport has been supporting the Royal Navy since 1691. The vast site covers more than 650 acres and has 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths and five basins. The base employs 2,500 Service personnel and civilians, supports around 400 local firms and generates around ten per cent of Plymouth’s income.
The IWOARG consists of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17).
Embarked detachments for the Iwo Jima ARG include Amphibious Squadron Four, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) Six, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 21, Naval Beach Group (NBG) Two, Beach Master Unit (BMU) Two, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) Two and Four, and Sailors from Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) Two.
The combined IWOARG and 24th MEU have roughly 4,300 Sailors and Marines. The ARG-MEU is deployed to SIXTHFLT in support of regional NATO Allies and partners as well as U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
The IWOARG consists of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Carter Hall (LSD 50) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17). Embarked detachments for the Iwo Jima ARG include Amphibious Squadron Four, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) Six, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 21, Naval Beach Group (NBG) Two, Beach Master Unit (BMU) Two, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) Two and Four, and Sailors from Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) Two.
The 24th MEU mission is to provide the United States with a forward-deployed, amphibious force-in-readiness capable of executing missions across the full spectrum of combat and military operations other than war, and consists of four basic elements, the Command Element, Ground Combat Element, Air Combat Element and the Logistics Combat Element. The unit consists of a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/8, a logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 24, and an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron (VMM) 162 Reinforced.
U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
For the latest details about USS Carter Hall follow: https://www.facebook.com/USSCarterHall/
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2021 04:16 |
| Story ID: | 394847 |
| Location: | PLYMOUTH, GB |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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