Essex Amphibious Ready Group

Report to Congress on South China Sea Disputes

The following is the Aug. 21, 2023, Congressional Research Service report, China Primer: South China Sea Disputes.

From the report

Multiple Asian governments assert sovereignty over rocks, reefs, and other geographic features in the heavily trafficked South China Sea (SCS), with the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) arguably making the most assertive claims. The United States makes no territorial claim in the SCS and takes no position on sovereignty over any of the geographic features in...

https://news.usni.org/2023/08/22/report-to-congress-on-south-china-sea-disputes

U.S. Destroyer Performs South China Sea FONOP; China Says it Expelled Warship

USS Benfold (DDG-65) sailing past the Paracel Islands on July 13, 2022. PLA Photo

A U.S. guided-missile destroyer passed near a South China Sea island chain claimed by China as part of a Freedom of Navigation operation and drew complaints from Beijing.

USS Benfold (DDG-65) sailed near the Paracel Islands early Wednesday local time in a FONOP and was monitored by the People’s Liberation Army Navy frigate Xianning (500), according to the Chinese Ministry of Defense.

“This freedom of navigation...

https://news.usni.org/2022/07/13/u-s-destroyer-performs-south-china-sea-fonop-china-says-it-expelled-warship

Essex ARG, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Back From 7 Month Pacific, Middle East Deployment

Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) board a landing craft, utility in the well deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD-27) on March 2, 2022. US Navy Photo

Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) pulled into San Diego Naval Base, Calif., on Friday morning to wrap up a seven-month deployment that took the three-ship force and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Force to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific regions.

“Their integrated...

https://news.usni.org/2022/03/04/essex-arg-11th-marine-expeditionary-unit-back-from-7-month-pacific-middle-east-deployment

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 28, 2022

USNI News Graphic

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Feb. 28, 2022, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:295Ships Underway

Deployed Ships UnderwayNon-deployed Ships UnderwayTotal Ships Underway
682795

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces3r...

Navy, Marines Drill with Japanese Forces in Test of New Island-Hopping Concept

Ships of the America and Essex Amphibious Ready Groups, and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, sail in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during exercise Noble Fusion on Feb. 7, 2022. US Navy Photo

The U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and Japanese Self-Defense Force teamed up in the Philippine and East China seas to test the ideas behind the Marines’ Force Design 2030 plan.

Noble Fusion, held in early February, tested the Marines’ island-hopping concept with allies.

“Noble Fusion...

https://news.usni.org/2022/02/21/navy-marines-drill-with-japanese-forces-in-test-of-new-island-hopping-concept

U.S. Carrier Group, Two Amphibious Ready Groups Drill in Philippine Sea with Japan

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Ruselle Kane, a native of San Francisco, assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), signals to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) in support of Noble Fusion, Feb. 4, 2022 in the Philippine Sea. U.S. Navy Photo

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A U.S. Navy carrier strike group and two amphibious ready groups are drilling in the Philippine Sea with...

https://news.usni.org/2022/02/04/u-s-carrier-group-two-amphibious-ready-groups-drill-in-philippine-sea-with-japan

U.S. Navy Denies Chinese Claims of Expelling Destroyer From Waters Near Paracel Islands

Ens. Hazel Acosta, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), observes the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), while standing conning officer during Visual Information (VI) drills between the two ships, Jan. 12, 2022. U.S. Navy Photo

The U.S. Navy on Thursday denied a Chinese claim that the People’s Liberation Army Navy chased an American destroyer away from islands in the South China Sea.
USS Benfold (DDG-65) performed a...

https://news.usni.org/2022/01/20/navy-denies-chinese-claims-of-expelling-u-s-destroyer-from-territorial-waters-near-paracel-islands

Essex Amphibious Ready Group Leaves 5th Fleet; No U.S. Capital Ship in Middle East

USS Essex (LHD-2), front, transits the Indian Ocean with the guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG-77) on Jan. 9, 2022. US Navy Photo

The three-ship Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit left the Middle East last week after operating in the region since late September, according to USNI News’s Fleet and Marine Tracker.

USS Essex (LHD-2), USS Portland (LPD-27), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52) are now operating in the Indian Ocean after...

https://news.usni.org/2022/01/10/essex-amphibious-ready-group-leaves-5th-fleet-no-u-s-capital-ship-in-middle-east

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Dec. 27, 2021

USNI News Graphic

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Dec. 27, 2021, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:296Ships Underway

Deployed Ships UnderwayNon-deployed Ships UnderwayTotal Ships Underway
39140

In Yokosuka, Japan

Aviation Boatswain’s...

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Dec. 20, 2021

USNI News Graphic

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Dec. 20, 2021, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:295Ships Underway

Deployed Ships UnderwayNon-deployed Ships UnderwayTotal Ships Underway
55358

In Yokosuka, Japan

Cryptologic Technician...

https://news.usni.org/2021/12/20/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-dec-20-2021

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