The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) entered the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations Oct. 13, 2015.

The ARG/MEU, comprised of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) and embarked Marines from the 26th MEU departed the U.S. on Oct. 6.

"The dedicated Sailors and Marines onboard have forged a mighty team ready to respond to real world operations and remain at the highest state of readiness," said Capt. Augustus P. Bennett, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4.

While in U.S. 6th Fleet, the Kearsarge ARG and Marines of the 26th MEU will participate in theatre security cooperation events and exercises before continuing to 5th Fleet.

This is the maiden deployment for the USS Arlington which was commissioned on April 6, 2013.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more information, visit http://www.kearsarge.navy.mil

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.