June 12, 1998
More than 16,000 Pacific Fleet Sailors and Marines will deploy for a six month overseas assignment beginning tomorrow. Naval Forcers of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Battle Group (ARG) will depart their homeports and bases June 11-22.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), based in Everett Washington deployed June 11. Ships and submarines based in San Diego will depart June 17 and join the Lincoln for the transit across the Pacific Ocean. The USS Essex ARG , based in San Diego, will deploy June 22, with more than 2200 Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), based at Camp Pendleton, California, embarked.
The USS Abraham Lincoln Battle Group and USS Essex ARG will relieve the USS Independence CVBG and the USS Tarawa ARG, which have been forward deployed for the past five months to the Western Pacific, Indian ocean and the Persian Gulf.
During its preparation for deployment the USS Abraham Lincoln CVBG and the USS Essex ARG participated in a Pacific Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) off the coast of Southern California from April 13 through the 24th. The exercise tested the forces ability to respond to situations it might encounter during the upcoming six month deployment, which will be the fourth for the nine-year old Abraham Lincoln.
USS Abraham Lincoln is America's fifth Nimitz class aircraft carrier. Displacing nearly 10,000 tons, Abraham Lincoln is home to more than 5,500 sailors as well as approximately 80 combat and support aircraft. With the unique advantage of nuclear propulsion, the ship can steam for months at a time with little outside sustainment. From its 4.5 acre flight deck, she can quickly launch and recover the world's most modern military aircraft that operate with other elements of the US Armed Forces as well as those of Allied Forces.
The US Navy continues to pursue a clear strategy of interdiction from the sea, which focuses on the littoral regions of the globe—those regions on or near the coastline. This type of warfare is perfectly suited for the Nimitz class aircraft carrier.
USS ESSEX is one of the largest and most capable multi-purpose amphibious platforms ever built. It is equipped to perform command and control functions, support both aircraft and surface landing craft, and conduct large scale amphibious assaults. In addition to three air cushioned landing craft, US Essex carries AV-8 Jarrier jets and attack and transport helicopters. This will be the third deployment for USS Essex.
Demonstrating teamwork and the inherent mobility and flexibility of naval forces, the USS Abraham Lincoln CVBG and USS Essex ARG can travel more than 500 miles a day while simultaneously deploying to separate geographic regions. With Tomahawk cruise missiles, tactical aircraft and combat ready marines, the forces will provide theater commanders with a wide range of capabilities.