USS Constellation CVBG, USS Peleliu ARG deploy

by 3rd Fleet and USS Peleliu Public Affairs

     SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- More than 16,000 Pacific Fleet
Sailors and Marines recently departed for a six-month
overseas deployment. Naval forces of the USS Constellation
Carrier Battle Group (CVBG) and USS Peleliu Amphibious Ready
Group (ARG) departed their homeports and bases June 18-21.
     USS Constellation (CV 64) and escort ships from San
Diego deployed June 18. Leaving the same day to join
Constellation were ships and submarines homeported in
Bremerton, Wash. and Pearl Harbor.
     Constellation is home to more than 5,500 Sailors, as
well as approximately 75 combat and support aircraft. From
her 4.5 acre flight deck, she can quickly launch and recover
the world's most modern military aircraft.
     Amphibious ships USS Peleliu (LHA 5), USS Ogden (LPD 5)
and USS Rushmore (LSD 47) deployed June 21 with the 11th
Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Special Operations Capable
(SOC). All of the ships are homeported at Naval Station San
Diego. The Peleliu ARG, with more than 5,000 Sailors and
Marines, will take part in amphibious exercises with allies
in the Pacific and Arabian Gulf.
     "Our Sailors are ready to get underway," said Peleliu
commanding officer Capt. Gary R. Jones. "They're excited
about performing the mission and seeing foreign ports. Many,
including myself, joined the Navy for the adventure.
However, everyone has goals to further their professional
development during this time away from homeport."
     Peleliu is one of the largest and most capable
multi-purpose amphibious platforms ever built. It is
equipped to perform command and control functions,
support both aircraft and surface landing craft and
conduct large-scale amphibious assaults. In addition to
air-cushioned landing craft, Peleliu carries AV-8
Harrier jets and attack and transport helicopters.
-USN-