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ESG 7 / CTF 76 News

United Nations Command Naval Component Command and Republic of Korea Navy Host Mine Countermeasures Symposium and Multi-National Mine Warfare Exercise
November 2, 2023 — BUSAN, Republic of Korea – The United Nations Command Naval Component Command Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Symposium and the Republic of Korea Navy Multi-National Mine Warfare Exercise (MNMIWEX) 2023 concluded Oct. 27... MORE

BUSAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA (October 22, 2023) A Sailor monitors sonar data aboard the Avenger class mine countermeasures ship USS Warrior (MCM 10) while participating in the Republic of Korea Navy Multi-National Mine Warfare Exercise (MNMIWEX) 2023. Warrior, part of Mine Countermeasure Squadron 7, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response platform for contingency operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Craft / Released)

USS Pioneer Visits Ishigaki
September 11, 2023 — ISHIGAKI, Japan - Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM 9) departed Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan, September 8, following a port call during routine operations and training in the region... MORE

Dock workers at the Ishigaki Port assist U.S. Sailors with the Avenger-class Mine Countermeasure Ship 9 (MCM-9), USS Pioneer, after the ship pulled into port on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 7, 2023.

Task Force 76/3 Hosts Commanders Conference
April 11, 2023 — SASEBO, Japan -- Expeditionary Strike Group 7 hosted a commanders conference April 6-7 at ESG 7 Det Sasebo headquarters to synchronize U.S. Seventh Fleet unit and warfare commanders with current and evolving situations and concepts in the Indo-Pacific region... MORE

SASEBO, Japan (Apr. 6, 2023) – Rear Adm. Derek Trinque, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7
and Task Force 76/3, speaks with ESG 7 staff and subordinate unit commanders during a commanders
conference at the ESG 7 detachment headquarters in Sasebo, Apr. 6, 2023.

Ashland Completes Forward Deployment to Sasebo
March 22, 2023 — SASEBO, Japan -- The dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) departed Sasebo March 22, 2023 for its new homeport of San Diego, California... MORE

USS Charleston concludes extended period in South China Sea
February 22, 2022 — The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) arrived in Guam, Feb. 14, following an extended underway period, including 19 straight days in the South China Sea.Charleston and its crew completed their Total Ship Readiness Assessment (TSRA) in Guam in mid-January prior to commencing their most recent time at sea. Following a... MORE

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 22, 2022) Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) transits the South China Sea at full power during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden)

CTF-76/79 Highlights Joint and Allied Naval Expeditionary Force Capabilities during Noble Fusion
February 10, 2022 — Two Amphibious Ready Groups with embarked Marine Expeditionary Units along with a Carrier Strike Group, operated together in the Indo-Pacific during Exercise Noble Fusion 3-7 February 2022. The exercise, led by Combined Task Force 76/79, ranged from the Luzon Strait to the Miyako Strait and the East China Sea, encompassing a wide swath of the First Island Chain, including littoral areas in the vicinity of Okinawa... ... MORE

Ships of the America and Essex Amphibious Ready Groups, and Carrier Strike Group 3, sail in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during exercise Noble Fusion. Left to right: USS Dewey (DDG 105), USS Ashland (LSD 48), JS Kongō (DDG 173), USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), USS America (LHA 6), USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Spruance (DDG 111), USS Essex (LHD 2), landing crafts, air cushion from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5. Noble Fusion demonstrates that Navy and Marine Corps forward-deployed stand-in naval expeditionary forces can rapidly aggregate Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group teams at sea, along with a carrier strike group, as well as other joint force elements and allies, in order to conduct lethal sea-denial operations, seize key maritime terrain, guarantee freedom of movement, and create advantage for U.S., partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness.

U.S. Forces, JGSDF dominate air, land and sea during Exercise Noble Fusion
February 9, 2022 — EAST CHINA SEA- Multiple elements of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force continue to operate in the vicinity of Okinawa during Exercise Noble Fusion, alongside the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) on Feb. 6, 2022. The Noble Fusion team worked together to conduct aircraft refueling, both on the ground and in the air during day and night. Additionally, the team worked with allied helicopters, came ashore in small boats, conducted an aerial night strike and established a simulated Expeditionary Advance Base (EAB) in a secluded coastal area of Okinawa. The day’s events were accomplished under the direction of Combined Task Force (CTF) 79 and CTF-76... MORE

PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 6, 2022) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Shelby Mann, from Udall, Kan., assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), signals a CH-47J Chinook helicopter from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to take off from the ship’s flight deck during Exercise Noble Fusion. Noble Fusion demonstrates that Navy and Marine Corps forward-deployed stand-in naval expeditionary forces can rapidly aggregate Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group teams at sea, along with a carrier strike group, as well as other joint force elements and allies, in order to conduct lethal sea-denial operations, seize key maritime terrain, guarantee freedom of movement, and create advantage for U.S., partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Vincent E. Zline)

Naval Expeditionary Forces conduct simulated strikes during Noble Fusion
February 7, 2022 — PHILIPPINE SEA – Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Task Force 76, Marines operating from a simulated expeditionary advanced base (EAB), and JMSDF Sailors aboard JS Kongō, participated in simulated strike procedures to practice integrated fires capabilities... MORE

PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 7, 2022) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) sails in formation during exercise Noble Fusion. Ships of the America and Essex Amphibious Ready Groups and the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, participate in exercise Noble Fusion. Noble Fusion highlights that Navy and Marine Corps forward-deployed stand-in naval expeditionary forces can rapidly aggregate Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group teams at sea, along with a carrier strike group, as well as other joint force movement, and create advantage for U.S., partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Thaddeus Berry)

From wet-well to feet-dry: Navy and Marines integrate to infiltrate on midnight raid
June 30, 2021 — OKINAWA, Japan (June 26, 2021) – It is 2300 hours local time on a humid summer night, 500 meters off the small Okinawan island of Ukibaru... MORE

Boat Company Conducts Amphibious Night Raids

LCS, Marines enhance Naval integration while in Okinawa
June 18, 2021 — OKINAWA, Japan (June 18, 2021) – Rotationally-deployed littoral combat ships (LCS) in the Indo-Pacific continue to integrate with forces across the region as a part of the Naval Expeditionary Force (NEF) and in support of theater littoral warfare... MORE