By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd
Class Dominique Pineiro, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- More than 4,000
Sailors and Marines assigned to the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and
the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed San Diego for deployment Monday,
Sept. 17.
The Peleliu ARG, composed of Peleliu,
amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and amphibious dock
landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), is commanded by Capt. Mark T. Sakaguchi,
commander, Amphibious Squadron 3.
Prior to deploying, the ARG completed a
myriad of workup exercises, amphibious squadron/Marine expeditionary unit
integration, a composite training unit exercise and a certification exercise to
prepare for deployment.
During deployment, the Peleliu ARG will
be expected to accomplish a variety of missions supporting the Navy's maritime
strategy including combat missions, humanitarian assistance, counter-piracy and
promoting peace and stability in the regions it enters.
"We're prepared for everything,
from humanitarian relief, disaster relief, maritime support operations up to
full scale combat," said Sakaguchi. "Whatever the situation is our
leaders give us the tasking, we'll respond."
The ships in the ARG hosted a large
number of family and friends on board prior to their departure.
"This is my first deployment, and I
never thought it would be so hard to leave my wife behind for so long,"
said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Joshua Quinones, assigned to Peleliu.
"I'm sad, but this is what I signed up for."
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