Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Deploy*

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Scott Youngblood, PHIBRON 8 Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) departed for deployment from Norfolk and Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 27. The team got underway as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to support Maritime Security Operations, provide crisis response capability, increase theater security cooperation and provide forward naval presence in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. The IWO JIMA ARG/24 MEU is comprised of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8, multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44); Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment (BLT 1/2); Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 24. In preparation for deployment, the IWO JIMA ARG/24 MEU underwent a six-month work up cycle that included successful completion of an Amphibious Squadron/Marine expeditionary unit integration (PMINT), a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) and a certification exercise (CERTEX). "Due to around-the-clock training and an aggressive work up schedule, we have no doubt in our minds that we are ready and capable for the missions ahead," said Commander PHIBRON 8, Capt. Mark H. Scovill. The IWO ARG/24 MEU provides the combatant commander 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 U.S. policy. "We are extremely proud of the seamless integration of Sailors and Marines and their above-and-beyond performance for the certifications preparing the ship for deployment," said Commanding Officer USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Capt. Grady T. Banister. As the ARG/MEU team sails toward the eastern horizon, the blue-green unit focuses its sights on defending our Nation and prevailing in the face of adversity with strength, determination and dignity. "My expectation for the ARG/MEU team during deployment is to work together like we trained to complete any and all missions," said Deputy Commander PHIBRON 8, Capt. Arturo M. Garcia. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Amphibious Ready Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/arg8/. Notícia publicada al web de la US Navy. Desitgem sort a l'IWO JIMA i la 24 Marine Expeditionary Unit.

HMS Dauntless destroyer deployed to Falklands by navy*

HMS Dauntless is to be deployed off the coast of the Falklands Islands in the South Atlantic, the Royal Navy has confirmed.

The Portsmouth-based ship will be the first of the navy's new Type 45 air defence destroyers to go to the area.

The Ministry of Defence said it was a routine deployment and HMS Dauntless would replace a frigate currently stationed there.

A MoD spokesman said he would not say when the ship was due to set sail.

He added that the deployment had nothing to do with increased tensions between the UK and Argentina about who owns the Falklands Islands.

BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said it was standard for the UK to have a permanent military presence in the region, which usually included a frigate, a patrol boat and occasionally a submarine, as well as troops and fighter aircraft.

Our correspondent said he did not believe the decision to send HMS Dauntless was a case of the government trying to flex its military muscle.

However, he did say it would "undoubtedly increase tensions".

The move comes ahead of Prince William's deployment to the region as an RAF search and rescue pilot, and the 30-year anniversary of the start of the Falklands conflict.

Dauntless is the second of six new design destroyers being built for the Royal Navy, all of which will be based in Portsmouth.

Type 45 destroyers have nearly twice the range - about 7,000 miles - and are 45% more fuel efficient than the Type 42 destroyers they are replacing in the £6bn project.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "The Royal Navy has had a continuous presence in the South Atlantic for many years.

"The deployment of HMS Dauntless to the South Atlantic has been long planned, is entirely routine and replaces another ship on patrol."

Meanwhile, the government has ruled out bringing in a law to ensure the Falkland Islands' right to remain British.

Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne said existing UN rules already offered protection against ongoing territorial claims made by Argentina.

* Notícia publicada per la BBC. Creiem de molt interés davant el retorn de l'Argentina cap a una dinàmica agressiva vers les Falklands.

Montrose begins six-month stint in the South Atlantic*

On a wind and rain-lashed Devil’s Point, families wave farewell to the good ship Montrose, setting sail on a 6½-month deployment.

 

The weather is a foretaste of what the Devonport-based frigate is likely to encounter as she takes up her duties as Atlantic Patrol Ship (South).

As well as a hearty turn out from loved ones in Plymouth, the 180 sailors aboard were treated to the skirl of bagpipes with a lone piper at Devil’s Point providing a fitting nod to the Type 23 frigate’s proud links with Scotland.

Once clear of Plymouth Sound, HMS Montrose set a southerly course to cover 8,000-plus nautical miles so she’ll arrive on station in the South Atlantic mid-November.

With a number of port visits en route, there will be the chance to replenish the ship and crew and train and interact with foreign navies and authorities, further cementing the UK’s partnerships with her allies.

It will certainly be very different and rather cooler than the ship’s last tour of duty – the ship returned from a successful counter-piracy deployment east of Suez ten months ago; she proved to be a pirate-buster par excellence.

Since returning to the West Country she’s undergone extensive maintenance and an intensive period of Operational Sea Training to prepare her for the six-plus months away from home.

“Exactly a year ago, Montrose was patrolling the key shipping routes in the Somali Basin and Horn of Africa, and in fact one of our most significant counter-piracy successes took place on this day last year,”said her Commanding Officer Cdr Jonathan Lett. “Fast forward 12 months, and we are now ready do whatever is asked of us in the South Atlantic, providing a reassuring presence in the region and working hard to protect British interests. “This deployment has been eagerly anticipated for some time, and every member of my team is well prepared and very well trained for the potential challenges ahead.”

* Notícia publicada al lloc web oficial de la Royal Navy. Desitgem sort en el seu viatge a l'HMS Montrose.