Deployment, Day 38 - Deployment 101

Today I got an e-mail from Lady Anne saying that one of her cousins asked what it is exactly that I do out here on deployment. In fact, she was wondering why I am even deployed in the first place. It occurred to me that many of my non-Navy friends, even some family members, may not know what I do out here or why we deploy. For you Navy folks reading this, you can go ahead and close your browsers and wait until my next blog entry. For the rest of you, here it is: Deployment 101.

In order for the U.S. to protect its interests and citizens abroad, it must forward deploy part of its military abroad at all times to maintain a military presence abroad. The main purpose of this is, hopefully, to deter enemy action from starting in the first place. A thief is less likely to rob a store if there is a cop standing right in front of it. However, if a conflict does arise, then having an existing presence allows the U.S. to react quickly. The U.S. has many bases in foreign countries that allows them to be closer than the U.S. to any potential action. The Navy is unique in its ability to project power forward because the seas belong to everyone. The Navy can legally plant its ships (and therefore its missiles, guns, aircraft and Marines) only a few miles off the coast of a potential hot spot.

This is why we deploy. Since most of the ships in the Navy are home-ported in the U.S., they have to deploy occasionally to the world’s hot spots to maintain the constant U.S. military presence abroad. Most of the time, when a ship deploys from San Diego, it goes across the Pacific Ocean, through Southeast Asia, over to the Middle East and Arabian (Persian) Gulf area. The ship I am on, USS Peleliu, is an amphibious aircraft carrier. Along with two other accompanying transport ships (USS Ogden and USS Germantown), the group holds an entire reinforced Marine helicopter squadron (about 28 helicopters and Harrier jets), half a dozen amphibious transports (including hovercraft), and a full battalion of Marines. All together, the three ships hold about three thousand Marines and all their tanks, guns, artillery, and supplies to go to a foreign land and wreak havoc if called upon. Of course, we always hope that won’t happen and we can return home on time to our loved ones.

There is always at least one expeditionary strike group (ESG), like the one I am in, forward deployed to the Middle East/Arabian Gulf, as well as at least one aircraft carrier strike group. When we get to that area, some other ESG that is there will get to go home. Likewise, in a few months, some other ESG will arrive in theater, which will allow us to go home.

Anyway, this is plenty for now. Next time I will explain exactly what it is I do personally out here. That part is much less exciting…