PACIFIC OCEAN –
USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations Feb. 10, bringing the Navy’s latest technology to its largest numbered Fleet.
Green Bay, the forward deployed San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, is en route to Sasebo, Japan, to replace the decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) and will enhance amphibious presence in 7th Fleet as part of the U.S. Navy's long-range plan to rebalance to the Pacific by sending the most advanced and capable units to the region.
"The crew has worked hard to ensure we are ready from day one in Seventh Fleet to contribute to the forward deployed blue-green team," Green Bay’s Commanding Officer Capt. Kristy McCallum said. "As we've trained, we have prepared ourselves to be ready for a more dynamic security environment and more diverse missions. I could not be prouder of the crew's accomplishments to date. They understand their calling to execute the CNO's tenets of Warfighting First, Operate Forward and Be Ready.”
In 7th Fleet, Green Bay will become part of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The ARG integrates regularly with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to ensure the services are trained and ready to operate together to provide the most efficient amphibious fighting force in the Asia-Pacific region.
In addition to the many capabilities inherent to amphibious transport dock ships, Green Bay will bring a host of new technological advancements and warfighting capabilities to 7th Fleet.
Green Bay is equipped with an advanced command and control suite, increased airlift capacity, substantial increases in vehicle and cargo carrying capability and advanced ship survivability features. The ship supports the rapid transfer of personnel and equipment via landing craft, helicopters, and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, making the LPD platform a critical element for amphibious ready groups and expeditionary strike groups. The U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation spans 48 million square miles, from the International Date Line to the India-Pakistan border.
The Bonhomme Richard ARG is tactically controlled by Capt. Heidi Agle, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 11, and will report to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Hugh Wetherald, headquartered in White Beach, Okinawa, Japan.