{"id":306908,"date":"2024-10-21T12:37:35","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T12:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=306908"},"modified":"2024-10-21T12:54:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T12:54:58","slug":"uss-harpers-ferry-lsd-49-returns-to-homeport-after-indo-pacific-deployment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=306908","title":{"rendered":"USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) returns to homeport after Indo-Pacific deployment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Carrying over 700 Sailors and embarked Marines, Harpers Ferry participated in multiple, multi-national exercises and operations in the Pacific, displaying interoperability and the U.S.\u2019s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe accomplishments of USS Harpers Ferry and its Navy and Marine Corps team are quite impressive,\u201d said Cmdr. Gabriel Burgi, the commanding officer of Harpers Ferry. “Together, we steamed tens of thousands of miles from home, away from our friends and families, and completed important missions necessary to protect high seas freedoms. We took part in several bilateral and multinational exercises, and we were great ambassadors of the United States. I couldn\u2019t be more proud of how well the crew and Marines worked together to accomplish many \u2018firsts\u2019 for the ARG-MEU team.\u201d<\/p>\n

This deployment was an opportunity for the Marine Corps\u2019 newest amphibious ship-to-shore connector, the amphibious combat vehicles (ACV), to gather operational data and lessons learned that will shape future deployments of the new platform in expeditionary environments.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis deployment was the first ever for the Marine Corps\u2019 first new amphibious vehicle in over 50 years,\u201d said Burgi. \u201cAll eyes were on us as we set the precedent for deployed operations of the ACV, and we helped write doctrine for future deployments. We launched and landed the first ACVs in foreign waters and on foreign shores, and the world was watching.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harpers Ferry departed San Diego in March to begin a regularly scheduled, Western Pacific deployment. During the deployment, Harpers Ferry and embarked elements of the 15th MEU participated in Exercise Balikatan 24 (BK24), the largest, annual, bilateral exercise conducted between the U.S. and the Philippines. Elements of the embarked 15th MEU conducted a command-and-control exercise (C2X), Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) projects and engagements, and a series of field training events.<\/p>\n

ACVs made their operational debut during BK24 in May, splashing from Harpers Ferry in Oyster Bay to conduct a waterborne live-fire gunnery exercise.<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout this deployment the landing force accomplished many firsts for the Marine Corps,\u201d said Maj. Joe Santos, the ACV liaison officer, 15th MEU, and the commander of troops aboard Harpers Ferry. \u201cThe 15th MEU deployed with the Amphibious Combat Vehicle for the first time, which marked many more firsts for the Navy and Marine Corps. The Harpers Ferry and landing force was the first to achieve amphibious warfare certifications with the ACV; first to conduct ACV intermediate maintenance underway; first to conduct waterborne gunnery with the ACV; and first to operate within the Indo-Pacific.\u201d<\/p>\n

While in the Philippines, Marines and Sailors of the 15th MEU also participated in the Amphibious Coastal Defense Continuum (ACDC), partnering with Philippine Marine Corps\u2019 3rd Marine Brigade to enhance the Philippine Marine Corps\u2019 coastal defense strategy while supporting the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.<\/p>\n

After BK24 and ACDC, the ship made its way north to Busan, South Korea, for Exercise Ssang Yong 24, a bilateral field training exercise with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC), and U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) in vicinity of Pohang.<\/p>\n

Ssang Yong was another landmark event for the ACV, marking the first time ACVs conducted a ship-to-shore amphibious assault overseas, partnered with ROKMC amphibious forces.<\/p>\n

\u201cHarpers Ferry and their embarked Apache Company and ACV Platoon proved that we could safely and expeditiously launch and recover ACVs,\u201d said Burgi. \u201cThe ACVs on deployment was a major milestone for the Navy-Marine Corps team. From onboard maintenance to overseas launch and recovery, almost everything we did with the ACVs was a first for our services. Deploying also gave the ACV platoon confidence in their weapon systems and in their ability to operate far from home without the benefit of onsite maintenance facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Ssang Yong, Harpers Ferry transited home to San Diego following a successful seven-month deployment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have seen this ship and her crew go from exiting the shipyards to the completion of a 7th Fleet deployment. This ship and her crew has been tasked over and over, and has exceeded the expectation of fleet commanders every time,\u201d said Burgi. \u201cThere is no other crew or ship I would rather go to sea with. This crew has delivered miracles selflessly and tirelessly. I couldn\u2019t be more proud of them; being the commanding officer to this crew has been the utmost privilege and highlight of my nearly 30-year career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Santos echoed Burgi\u2019s thoughts on the deployment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am excited for the Marines and Sailors to go home after this deployment knowing that they have accomplished so much,\u201d said Maj. Santos. \u201cThey are a part of naval history and will remember this for the rest of their lives. It\u2019s a beautiful day to be on the USS Harpers Ferry!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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