More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) departed from Norfolk and Little Creek, Virginia and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct 6.

The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability and increase theater security cooperation while providing a forward naval presence in the U.S Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

The KSGARG is commanded by Capt. Augustus P. Bennett, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 and is comprised of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), both homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia.

"The ARG/MEU team has done an excellent job going through the intensive and rigorous training cycle that has successfully prepared us for our deployment," said Bennett. "The hard work and dedication of every Sailor and Marine will allow us the ability to excel at any mission or situation that comes before us."

The 26th MEU is commanded by Col. Robert C. Fulford and consists of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Command Element, the Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron, Logistics Combat Element and the Combat Logistics Battalion.

The KSGARG/26 MEU team will provide combatant commanders a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response options in maritime, littoral and inland environments in support of the nation's maritime strategy.

For more news from Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, visit www.navy.mil/local/esg2/.

For more news from USS Kearsarge (LHD) 3, visit www.navy.mil/.