Council News

Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group returns to San Diego...

By Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

Three ships returned to San Diego Monday, Nov. 19, following a seven and a half month deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East.

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR), USS Denver (LPD 9) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47), departed April 10 for a regularly scheduled deployment, are the last ships to return home as part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHRESG).

BHRESG transported the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to combat operations in Iraq. The Marines of the 13th MEU spent nearly four months conducting ground combat counter-insurgency operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Once the Marines were delivered, the ESG conducted Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Arabian Gulf. Coalition forces conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.

"We were there to present a stabilizing force in the area," said Capt. Neil Parrott, commanding officer of BHR. "The mere presence of U.S. ships and aircraft reduces the likelihood that illegal activity is going on. If our presence in the Gulf can help reduce or eliminate piracy and smuggling, and make the local mariners feel safe as they go about their business, then we have done our jobs."

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