17 NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain – Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), flagship of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG), arrived at Naval Station Rota, Spain, for its mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR), April 23, 2021.
Iwo Jima’s maintenance visit comes after more than two months constant underway operations including a pre-deployment exercise, transiting the Atlantic Ocean, and interoperability exercises with U.S. Second Fleet, U.S. Sixth Fleet, and the United Kingdom’s armed forces.
“Interoperability and support with partner nations is vital to sustained operations at sea,” said USS Iwo Jima Commanding Officer Capt. David Loo. “There are maintenance items and repairs that only become apparent once the ship goes underway. The MDVR gives us an early opportunity to make those fixes and continue our mission at full strength, plus it allows the crew a time-out from watch stations in order to rest and refresh.”
San Antonio took on 220 thousand gallons of fuel for the ship, as well as 136 pallets of food, parts and supplies, ultimately extending the ship’s range and increasing mission capability.
San Antonio is operating in the Atlantic Ocean in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression, and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.
The combined IWOARG and 24th MEU have roughly 4,300 Sailors and Marines. The ARG-MEU is deployed to U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of regional NATO Allies and partners as well as U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
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The IWOARG and 24
th MEU are conducting operations focused on supporting maritime security operations and maritime domain awareness capabilities in international waters.
The distinct capability of an amphibious force provides the geographic combatant commander the ability to gain access to critical areas anywhere in the world with ground, air, and logistics forces.
The IWOARG consists of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17).
Embarked detachments for the Iwo Jima ARG include Amphibious Squadron Four, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) Six, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 21, Naval Beach Group (NBG) Two, Beach Master Unit (BMU) Two, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) Two and Four, and Sailors from Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) Two.