ESG 7 / CTF 76 News
ESG 7 Sailor selected 7th Fleet Sailor of the Year
January 23, 2020
YOKOSUKA, Japan (January 23, 2020) Operations Specialist 1st Class Diana Park, from Winter Springs, Florida, assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, receives the U.S. 7th Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year Award from Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, deputy commander, U.S. 7th Fleet and Command Master Chief Jason Haka. The 7th Fleet Sailor of the Year Week is designed to share with these outstanding Sailors the unique operational environment in the 7th Fleet as well as enhance regional partnerships with like-minded forces.

America ESG, 31st MEU Complete Carrier Qualifications
January 23, 2020
EAST CHINA SEA (Jan. 19, 2020) An F-35B Lightning II assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) lands on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

America, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Operate in East China Sea
January 13, 2020
Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force amphibious transport dock ship JS Kunisaki (LST 4003) operate together in the East China Sea.

Naval Beach Unit 7 Changes Command in Sasebo, Japan
December 17, 2019
SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 12, 2019) The official party renders hand salutes to the American and Japanese ensigns during the change of command ceremony for Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7 onboard Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo. Cmdr. Kirk Sowers relieved Cmdr. Greta Densham as commanding officer of NBU 7, which serves as the training and readiness command for landing craft, air cushions, landing craft utilities, and beach party teams forward-deployed in Japan. NBU 7, part of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

Lebron takes over as PHIBRON 11 Commodore
December 12, 2019
SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 11, 2019) Capt. Richard Lebron, commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, speaks during a change of command ceremony in the hangar bay of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). Lebron relieved Capt. Jim McGovern as commodore of the only forward-deployed amphibious squadron in the U.S. Navy. America, part of Commander, PHIBRON 11 and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

US 7th Fleet Flagship Changes Command
December 12, 2019
YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 12, 2019) Outgoing Commanding Officer Capt. Eric J. Anduze, a native of Manati, Puerto Rico, relinquishes command of 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) to Capt. Craig Sicola, from Dallas, during a change of command ceremony aboard. Blue Ridge, part of Expeditionary Strike Group 7, is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as 7th Fleet command ship, actively works to foster relationships with allies and partners in support of security and stability within the Indo-Pacific Region.

USS America arrives in Sasebo as latest amphib force addition
December 5, 2019
SASEBO, Japan (Dec. 6, 2019) Sailors man the rails as the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) arrives at Sasebo, Japan to join the forward-deployed naval forces. America is assigned to Amphibious Squadron Eleven and will serve as the flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group 7 while conducting routine operations in the Western Pacific.

USS New Orleans arrives in Sasebo
December 2, 2019
USS New Orleans (LPD 18) sits moored in Sasebo, Japan.

JMSDF, Australian, US Navies flex mine warfare capabilities
November 18, 2019
Commanding officer of Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM 9)  Lt. Cmdr. Bobby Wayland, right, discusses upcoming operations for Mine Warfare Exercise 3JA 2019 with commanding officer of Japanese mine countermeasure ship JS Hirashima (MSC 601), Lt. Cmdr. Ogawa Tomoyuki, middle, and Commander of the route survey division for JMSDF Mine Warfare Support Center, Lt. Cmdr. Okuno Kazuyuki.

New commander takes helm at HSC-25
November 14, 2019
Cmdr. Christopher Carreon addresses the audience during change of command ceremony for HSC-25.