The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) flagship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) pulled into Naval Station Rota, Spain, for fuel and other supplies Oct. 18, 2015.

The KSGARG, 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 Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed from Norfolk, Va., Oct. 6.

Quote:
"Our main purpose in Rota is for Kearsarge to conduct a brief stop for fuel, but we'll also pick up some parts and mail... and transfer some personnel to and from the ship. Sailors and Marines on board will get a little off-duty time to explore Naval Base Rota and gather some personal items as well."
- Lt. Johnny Stevenson, main propulsion assistant, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)

Quick Facts:
* Kearsarge will take on 500,000 gallons of fuel.
* Kearsarge will take on food, general stores, and requisitions.
* While in U.S. 6th Fleet, the KSGARG will participate in theater 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. Amphibious transport dock ships embark, transport, and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.
* The Amphibious Ready Group consists of:
o Amphibious Assault Ship (LHA or LHD) - Primary landing ships, resembling small aircraft carriers, designed to put troops on hostile shores. In a secondary role, these ships perform sea control and limited power projection missions with AV-8B Harrier aircraft and anti-submarine warfare helicopters.
o Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD) Ships - Ships that embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.
o Dock Landing Ships (LSD) - Ships support amphibious operations including landings onto hostile shores via conventional landing craft and helicopters.
* Modern U.S. Navy Amphibious Assault Ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) / Expeditionary Strike Group.
* The 26th MEU is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of four major parts: a command element, a ground combat element, an aviation combat element, and a logistics element. Marine Expeditionary Unit missions range from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to major theater war.
* 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/.