Independence-variant littoral fight ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) returned to Naval Base San Diego following its first deployment, Oct. 15. The preliminary deployment supplied Jackson’s two crews invaluable expertise and supported nationwide aims such because the Oceania Maritime Safety Initiative (OMSI). Jackson Gold crew returned the ship to San Diego following two on-hull patrols all through Oceania and the South China Sea in 2021 and 2022. Whereas on deployment, the Jackson Blue and Gold crews performed concurrent operations with the ship’s MQ-8C Hearth Scout, an unmanned aerial car, and an embarked aviation detachment from Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron 23.
“Jackson’s deployment was successful in each doable means,” mentioned Rear Adm. Wayne Baze. “The Blue and Gold crew patrols had been invaluable to the OMSI mission, and the port visits they performed constructed upon our robust partnerships with nations within the Indo-Pacific area.”
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“I’m very happy with my crew and the laborious work and sacrifice each crew member has given in assist of USS Jackson’s tasking. Whereas we performed operations within the South China Sea, executed coaching workout routines with Brunei, France, Germany, Indonesia, and Japan,” mentioned Cmdr. Michael Winslow, Jackson Gold crew’s commanding officer.
As a small, shallow-draft floor combatant, Jackson performed distinctive port visits in locations reminiscent of Fiji, Palau, and Tahiti. The ship hosted worldwide distinguished guests to incorporate senior French Polynesian civilian and army leaders, the Governor of Saipan, senior Singaporean authorities and protection officers, and the U.S. ambassador to Singapore. Jackson Blue crew additionally deployed for 2 on-hull patrols through the deployment. Jackson is homeported in San Diego as a part of Floor Division Eleven and Littoral Fight Ship Squadron One. As a littoral fight ship, Jackson has each a Blue crew and a Gold crew, which alternate being “on-hull” aboard the ship and “off-hull” conducting coaching within the ship’s homeport.
“Serving with these hardworking and devoted Sailors on Jackson’s maiden deployment was an amazing honor,” mentioned Cmdr. Brian Bungay, Jackson Blue crew’s commanding officer. “I’m so happy with their laborious work and resiliency in protecting Jackson on mission in contested areas of the Western Pacific. Whether or not or not it’s constructing key partnerships throughout CARAT Thailand and bi-lateral workout routines with the Japanese Maritime Self-Protection Power, or displaying off functionality and energy throughout Train Valiant Protect, Jackson Blue answered the decision with satisfaction and dedication.”
Every crew spent two durations on-hull forward-deployed aboard the ship, whereas the opposite educated off-hull in San Diego. The ship departed San Diego for its first deployment on July 11, 2021, and remained away from homeport through the entirety of its deployment thanks largely partially to the work of each crews and Upkeep Execution Groups (METs) that met Jackson in upkeep hubs all through Oceania to incorporate Guam, Hawaii, and Singapore. LCS are versatile, mission-focused platforms designed to function in near-shore environments and win towards Twenty first-century coastal threats. These ships present ahead presence and conduct maritime safety, sea management, and deterrence missions each near-shore and on the excessive seas.
Expeditionary Strike Group 3 includes 4 amphibious squadrons, 11 amphibious warships, and eight naval assist components together with roughly 18,000 active-duty and reserve Sailors and Marines. As Deputy Commander for Amphibious and Littoral Warfare, U.S. third Fleet; Commander, ESG 3 additionally oversees the 14 littoral fight ships below Littoral Fight Ship Squadron 1 and Mine Countermeasures Group 3. ESG 3 is postured in assist of U.S. third Fleet as a globally responsive and scalable naval command ingredient, able to producing, deploying, and using naval forces and formations for disaster and contingency response, ahead presence, and main fight operations.
