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Batman47 Board Founder/CNC User is Offline Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 368 Karma: 5 applaud / smite 397 points 0 warnings 0 tempbans	Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:24 am    Post subject: Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 · Quote Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 Commander, Naval Surface Force, United States Pacific Fleet (COMSURFPAC) http://www.surfpac.navy.mil/default.aspx Focus on Commander, Naval Surface Force http://www.news.navy.mil/local/cnsp Commander, Naval Surface Force Story Archive http://www.news.navy.mil/local/story_archive.asp?id=125 Focus on Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet http://www.news.navy.mil/local/ctf76 Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Story Archive http://www.news.navy.mil/local/story_archive.asp?id=151 Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 COMEXSTRKGRU THREE http://www.esg3.navy.mil Through aggressive training and readiness, ESG 3 provides regional and combatant commanders with an agile, tailorable, forward-postured and immediately employable force, capable of projecting expeditionary striking power in the maritime, littoral, and inland environs in support of U.S. national interests. ESG 3's flexibility also allow it to be employed as a Joint Task Force or Joint Task Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCC) to conduct multinational operations. The diverse capability of ESG 3 is uniquely suited to meet the war-fighting demands of the modern geopolitical environment to include fighting the Global War on Terrorism and future contingencies as they may arise. http://www.esg3.navy.mil/pages/mission.htm Amphibious Group Three was disestablished Apr. 17, 2007 and is now Expeditionary Strike Group Three. Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) Three was commissioned April 17, 2007 in San Diego, Calif. ESG 3 is an strictly operational command, certifying expeditionary strike group forces for deployment and maintaining proficiencies as a staff to provide fleet commanders with a ready fly-away unit that is extremely flexible. The Amphibious Group Eastern Pacific Command, commissioned April 1, 1975. Prior to its commission, ESG 3 was formerly Amphibious Group (COMPHIBGRU) Three. COMPHIBGRU Three was changed from Amphibious Group Eastern Pacific Command, October 1, 1984, and then reorganized on August 1, 1986, into three assault squadrons and two non-deploying readiness squadrons. http://www.esg3.navy.mil/pages/history.htm Expeditionary Strike Group 3 Established Story Number: NNS070418-17 Release Date: 4/18/2007 4:51:00 PM By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) J. L. Chirrick and Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Roosevelt Ulloavaldivieso, Expeditionary Strike Group 3 Public Affairs SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- After months of detailed preparation, the Commander Amphibious Group (CPG) 3 staff completed their transition to Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 on April 17. This finalized a change from an administrative staff supporting operational units to an operational command focused on expeditionary operations. “The CPG 3 staff has been preparing for a long time now,” said Rear Adm. Mark Balmert, Commander, ESG 3. “The staff first demonstrated their operational capability when they deployed in support of Tsunami relief in 2005. During the deployment, they conducted critical humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations -- one of the ESG’s mission areas.” Unlike CPG 3, which provided ships with manning, training and material support, ESG 3 will be strictly operational, preparing ESG forces for deployment and maintaining proficiencies as a staff to provide fleet commanders with a ready fly-away command element that is extremely flexible in mission assignment. “It is almost second nature for the staff to be operational now, which made the transition to a full- time ESG easier,” Balmert said. By expanding the traditional Amphibious Ready Group deployment concept through the addition of the flag staff and expanding the force structure to include cruisers, destroyers, guided missile frigates and submarines, ESGs can complete a wider array of operations. In addition to the capability of providing humanitarian assistance in response to terrorist attacks or natural disasters, ESGs have the capability to deliver combat operations in the form of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), lead expeditionary forces in conducting non-combatant evacuation operations, and to deny terrorists and other enemies use of the sea lanes through maritime interdiction missions. Additionally, ESGs bring robust cruise missile strike capability and self-defense in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defense and surface warfare dimensions. “We can still do the traditional ARG missions and, additionally, we have strike capability, anti-submarine and anti-air defense and a more robust mine warfare potential,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mick Bastian, ESG 3’s deputy operations officer. “This range of missions makes ESGs very relevant in today’s world where most missions are conducted in the littoral waters.” Critical to meeting future mission requirements is the continual training of staff, shipboard and MEU personnel to operate as a cohesive organization. Prior to deployments, ESGs are required to complete three work-up evolutions: a pre-deployment integrated exercise, a composite training unit exercise and a joint task force exercise. These maneuvers implement real-world scenarios and are intended to prepare strike groups for events that may occur during a deployment. “The biggest gain is learning to adjust, applying lessons learned from previous operations, and making changes in order to accomplish the mission,” said Col. Mario Enriquez, Deputy Commander, ESG 3. “When you combine the ships and the marine expeditionary units, the command becomes a stronger force.” ESG 3 will fully realize the importance of this training when they relieve ESG 2 as the command element of Task Force 59 (CTF 59) in the 5th Fleet area of operations in 2008. Previously deployed ESGs have conducted emergency disaster relief operations in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, in addition to evacuating U.S. citizens from Lebanon in 2006. “We are ready to deploy now,” said Balmert. “I could not be prouder of the work this staff has done to prepare for deployed operations.” While preparing to meet potential requirements overseas, an ESG also trains to maintain the necessary readiness to assist civil authorities, such as during Hurricane Katrina. In order to prepare for these types of missions, the ESG 3 staff conducts joint training exercises with civil agencies and the Army. “During Exercise Golden Guardian, we trained with the Army and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in response to a simulated earthquake in San Francisco. This training developed essential skills, which would be necessary to meeting the demands of a crisis for our nation at home,” said Balmert. “This is important, as not only are we a fighting force, but we are a ready force whose diverse skills make us uniquely qualified to respond to just about any situation that may come up. That is one of ESG’s greatest strengths: its diverse capability.” With the establishment of ESG 3 as an operational command, the responsibility for manning, training and equipping naval forces will shift to the newly developing class squadrons (CLASSRONs) as part of the commander of Naval Surface Forces’ initiative to more efficiently maintain a ready fleet. CLASSRONs will work closely with ESG 3 to fully ensure units meet the demands of the 21st century. Balmert said, “This transition is very exciting. Operations at sea are the heart of what the Navy and Marine Corps team is about.” http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=28932 ESG 3 SUBORDINATE COMMANDS COMPHIBRON 1 http://www.cpr1.navy.mil/default.aspx Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) – PHIBRON 1 - ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12937#12937 COMPHIBRON 3 http://www.cpr3.navy.mil/default.aspx Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) - PHIBRON 3 - ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12935#12935 COMPHIBRON 5 http://www.cpr5.navy.mil/default.aspx Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) - PHIBRON 5 - ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12933#12933 COMPHIBRON 7 http://www.cpr7.navy.mil   Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) - PHIBRON 7 - ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/owcommandpost-about1994.html Commander, Naval Beach Group One (COMNAVBEACHGRU ONE) Naval Beach Group One http://www.cnbg1.navy.mil Commander, Tactical Air Control Group One (COMTACGRU ONE) Tactical Air Control Group One "We Control The World" http://www.ctg1.navy.mil/default.aspx Commander, Amphibious Group Three COMPHIBGRU THREE Amphibious Group Three Commander, Task Force 36 (CTF-36) The Amphibious Group (PHIBGRU) includes ships designed to transport and support Marine Corps amphibious operations. Typically three or four ships from an Amphibious Group will deploy together to form an Amphibious Ready Group. The ARG configuration will vary with each deployment, but the configuration will always provide the ARG commander the ability to launch and recover Marine helicopters and deploy landing craft, including the LCAC, Landing Craft Air Cushioned, the Navy's amphibious hoovercraft. The composition of the Group runs the entire spectrum of amphibious warfare with Amphibious Squadrons, a Naval Beach Group, a Tactical Air Control Group, a number of ships and typically over 10,000 personnel. Amphibious Squadrons are built much like an athletic team whose coaching and training staff remain permanently intact and receive athletes only for the season. The Core Staff serves as the "coaching staff" for the different units under its command. These units are referred to as Naval Support Elements or NSEs. They serve on this "team" for one year. A PHIBRON's NSE's consists of an Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD or LHA), an Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD), a Dock Landing Ship (LSD), a Fleet Surgical Team (FST-6), a Fleet Information Warfare Center detachment (FIWC), a Naval Beach Group detachment (NBG-2), a Search and Rescue detachment (HC SAR), an Explosive Ordinance Disposal detachment (EOD), a Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON), and a Naval Special Warfare Task Unit (NSWTU). All elements come together for six months of training then deploy for six months as a forward-deployed, self-sustaining Amphibious Task Force.  http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/phibgru3.htm During Operation DESERT SHIELD, COMPHIBGRU THREE Sailors deployed to direct strategic operations in the Arabian Gulf. Then in December 1990, the command deployed in support of Operation DESERT STORM with a 13-ship Amphibious Task Force, the largest to sail from the West Coast since 1965. The Task Force joined its East Coast counterpart in the north Arabian Sea and formed the largest Amphibious assault force since the Korean conflict - 31 amphibious ships, four combat logistics ships and eight supporting merchant ships. In February 1991, the major amphibious operation of the Gulf War took place as COMPHIBGRU THREE and the Fifth Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed more than 6,500 Marines at Al Mishab, Saudi Arabia, just south of the Kuwait-Iraq border. COMPHIBGRU THREE has participated in numerous humanitarian assistance operations, including typhoon relief in Bangladesh, evacuation efforts during the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, assistance in East Timor, oil recovery efforts in Prince William Sound and earthquake relief in San Francisco. COMPHIBGRU THREE also assisted in the recovery efforts of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 that went down off the Southern California Coast near Port Hueneme in January, 2000. In October 1992, COMPHIBGRU THREE became the primary planning agency for amphibious fleet exercises and pre-deployment training for Commander, THIRD Fleet. The command deployed December 1992 for Operation RESTORE HOPE. As Commander, Amphibious Task Force and Maritime Prepositioning Force - based at the Mogadishu Port Facility - COMPHIBGRU THREE established base camps and perimeter defense for U.S. and United Nations Forces in Somalia. CPG3 deployed in January 1994 for Operation CONTINUE HOPE and again in January 1995 in the role of Commander, Naval Forces, Operation UNITED SHIELD, the final withdraw of U.N. forces from Somalia. Reorganized in April 1995, COMPHIBGRU THREE assumed the material readiness mission formerly assigned to the recently disestablished Amphibious Squadrons SEVEN and NINE, and began reporting directly to Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Also in 1995, COMPHIBGRU THREE ships participated in Exercise Cooperation from the Sea, a rare opportunity to train with the Russian Federation Navy and Naval Infantry Forces in a humanitarian mission scenario. The exercise coincided with ceremonies in Pearl Harbor commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II. In 1996, COMPHIBGRU THREE ships participated in exercises with Jordanian forces and embarked landing craft from the United Arab Emirates for the first time in U.S. Navy history. The command deployed in the role of Commander, Maritime Prepositioning Force in MONTH, 1998 for Exercise Native Fury in Kuwait, and Exercise Freedom Banner in Korea. In 2000, the command deployed in this role in support of Exercise Natural Fire in Mombasa, Kenya. In October 1998, the command absorbed Naval Inshore Undersea Warfare Group ONE and redesignated Naval Coastal Warfare Group ONE. In 2001, COMPHIBGRU THREE assets participated in the large-scale amphibious operation exercise, Kernel Blitz, at Camp Pendleton. Also in 2001, the command participated in Turbo Cads 01, a joint logistics over-the-shore exercise in South Korea. The primary focus of effort for 2003 was providing expeditionary Maritime Pre-positioning Forces and Amphibious forces in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. COMPHIBGRU THREE provided the forces and stood up as Commander Task Force 51 to execute a multitude of the Naval Component Commander's assigned missions. Task Force 51 was responsible for the eight-ship Amphibious Task Force East and 7-ship Amphibious Task Force West, one Amphibious Ready Group and all Coalition amphibious assets in the Commander FIFTH Fleet AOR. CPG-3, along with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed onboard Tarawa in January 2003. Tarawa returned in July 2003. In addition to the deployments in support of OIF, CPG-3 also deployed the first expeditionary strike group, Expeditionary Strike Group One, onboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5) in August 2003. ESG 1 operated in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. ESG 1 didn't return from OEF an OIF until March 2004. The strike group is a relatively new concept that recasts the traditional amphibious ready group into a more powerful, more agile force capable of a wide range of missions that U.S. forces might be called on to perform. Operation Iraqi Freedom Two (OIF II), the swap-out of the Army's First Infantry soldiers with Marines from the First Marine Expeditionary Force in January and February, included a host of amphibious and maritime ships and was conceived and initiated nearly six months before the operation was executed. To support the OIF II Force Rotation Plan and the First Marine Expeditionary Force's deployment to relieve the Third Air Calvary Regiment and the 82nd Airborne in Iraq, Commander Amphibious Group Three, Rear Adm. W. C. Marsh, and his San Diego-based staff deployed into the Fifth Fleet Area of Operations. Marsh assumed duties as Commander Task Force 51 (CTF 51) and began overseeing amphibious operations in the area. CTF51's command of two expeditionary units provided the build-up and sustainment of a 4,500-person expeditionary base camp in Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait to support the offload of two MPF squadrons and more than 100 Military Sealift ships while supporting the Joint Logistics Over the Shore mission during build-up and sustainment phases of the operation. CTF51 forces commenced the MPF offload on 15 January and completed the full two squadrons worth of MAGTF gear and equipment within 18 days. COMPHIBGRU Three also participated in many exercises in 2003. In January 2003, CPG-3 participated in Transparent Hunter 03, a mine clearance exercise. This included Naval Special Clearance Team One (NSCT-1) as part of the mammal mine clearance exercise. CPG-3 also participated in the Alaskan Joint Operation in March 2003. COMPHIBGRU Three participated as part of the force protection exercise during this joint operation. Again in January 2004, CPG3 deployed USS Boxer (LHD 4) in support of OIF II. Boxer was tasked to transport U.S. Marine Corps assets, including helicopters, equipment and maintenance personnel, to Kuwait. Also, in May 2004, COMPHIBGRU Three deployed Expeditionary Strike Group Five (ESG 5 ) in support of the Global War on Terrorism. ESG 5 is the first expeditionary strike group to deploy under the command of a Marine Corps general. ESG 5 , deploying under the Marine Corps flag, allows this strike group to be a "911 force" for areas with known terrorist activity including the Persian Gulf. Expeditionary Strike Group Three is expected to return in December 2004. http://www.esg3.navy.mil/pages/history.htm Naval Beach Group One "United We Land" http://www.cnbg1.navy.mil Since its inception in July 1948, Naval Beach Group ONE and its subordinate commands have participated in a variety of amphibious operations. From the early years of assaults during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts to the modern and technically sophisticated amphibious operation in Somalia during Operation RESTORE HOPE, the men and women of the Naval Beach Group have served throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans in support of U.S. policy abroad. Commander, Naval Beach Group One functions under two distinct missions. During amphibious assaults, personnel are provided to support and operate causeway lighterage, side loading warping tugs, LCACs, LCUs, LCM-8s, buoyant ship to shore bulk fuel systems, beach traffic control, and beach salvage equipment (JLOTS). The second mission is under the Maritime Preposition Force (MPF) concept which uses the equipment and supplies prepositioned on board forward deployed Maritime Preposition Ships (MPS). Joining forces with the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), Commander, Naval Beach Group One forms and commands the Naval Support Element (NSE) and is airlifted into an objective area to establish camp support, conduct ship-to-shore movement, beach party operations and debarkation operations in support of the offload of each MPF ship. Amphibious Operations Facilitate the landing and movement of troops, equipment and supplies across beaches. -Assist in beaching, retraction and salvaging of landing craft and landing force vehicles. -Assist in evacuating casualties, refugees and POWs from beaches. Duties: Act as Landing Force Beach Party (LFBP) Commander for Assault Echelon (AE) and Assault Follow On Echelon (AFOE) operations. Activate NBG-1 tactical elements and assign them to CATF for operational control. Assign ACU-1 and ACU-5 elements to the Amphibious Task Force for tactical control. Assign ACB-1 and BMU-1 elements to the Landing Force Support Party (USMC) or Engineer Amphibious Brigade (USA) for tactical control. http://www.cnbg1.navy.mil/amphibious.html JOINT LOGISTICS OVER THE SHORE (JLOTS) Mission: Facilitate the landing and movement of troops, equipment and supplies across beaches in Joint Operations. Duties: Act as the Naval Support Element (NSE) Commander. Activate NBG-1 tactical elements and assign them to the JLOTS commander for operational control. Deploy and employ any of the following capabilities: Causeway Ferry ship-to-ship operations Offshore Petroleum Discharge System (OPDS) Roll on Roll off Discharge Facility (RRDF) Elevated Causeway System (ELCAS) Naval Support Element Field camp http://www.cnbg1.navy.mil/jlots.html MARITIME PREPOSITIONING FORCE (MPF) Mission: Offload and deliver Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) equipment and supplies from MPF ships to the high water mark or a pier. Duties: Act as the Naval Support Element (NSE) Commander. Participate in deployment and offload planning for MPF exercises and real world OPLAN contingencies. Activate NBG-1 tactical elements and assign them to the Survey, Liason and Reconnaissance Party (SLRP), the Offload Preparation Party (OPP) and the NSE main body for operational control by CMPF during MPF operations. Exercise tactical control of Naval Cargo Handling & Port Group (NAVCHAPGRU) detachments and USMC Debark Teams during MPF offload operations. Conduct routine Operator's Inspections of NSE lighterage and equipment aboard MPSRON 2 & 3 ships. Provide lighterage inspection teams to BIC in support MPF Maintenance Cycles. http://www.cnbg1.navy.mil/MPF.html CNBG-1 is also responsible for conducting Amphibious Specialty Training (PHIBSPECTRA) for all Pacific Fleet amphibious ships. The PHIBSPECTRA Team provides indepth training in well deck operations to prepare Amphibious Ready Group ships for deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Amphibious Specialty Training (PHIBSPECTRA) Mission: Provide Amphibious Warfare Training to all Pacific Fleet Amphibious ships. Duties: Conduct CART, Basic Amphibious Training, Amphibious Specialty Training. Provide training and technical assistance. Conduct CART, Basic Amphibious Training, Amphibious Specialty Training. Conduct crane audits. Provide LCAC standardization and welldeck certification. Develop and evaluate proposed changes to Amphibious doctrine procedures and equipment. http://www.cnbg1.navy.mil/phibspectra.html In recent years, detachments from NBG-1 have participated in OPERATION DESERT STORM in the Arabian Gulf, and OPERATIONS RESTORE HOPE and UNITED SHIELD in Somalia. Currently, NBG-1 and its subordinate commands are engaged in supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Operations Iraqi Freedom I and II, and amphibious task force commanders in the THIRD, FIFTH, and SEVENTH Fleets. http://www.cnbg1.navy.mil/mission.html Commander, Naval Beach Group (COMNAVBEACHGRU) ONE, consisting of Amphibious Construction Battalion (PHIBCB) ONE, Assualt Craft Unit (ACU) ONE, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) FIVE, and Beachmaster Unit (BMU) ONE, provides beach traffic control and security, Navy lighterage, side loadable warping tugs, bulk fuel transfer systems, landing craft (LCUs, LCM-8s, and LARC Vs), limited construction capability and surf salvage capability. Additionally, COMNAVBEACHGRU ONE conducts amphibious operations and exercises in the Eastern Pacific, Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf areas. COMNAVBEACHGRU ONE also provides the majority of the Naval Support Element (NSE) for Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) operations, and is the designated NSE Commander. In support of the MPF mission, COMNAVBEACHGRU ONE personnel maintain and operate Navy lighterage, side loadable warping tugs (SLWTs), landing craft (LCUs, LCM-8s, and LARC Vs) buoyant ship-to-shore bulk fueling systems, and provide beach traffic control and surf salvage capability. MPF operations include the prepositioning of a mixed combat load of vehicles, artillery, ammunition and petroleum products to support a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) aboard ships of the Maritime Prepositioning Squadron strategically located abroad which possess a self-sustained discharge capability of cranes, roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ramps, and the latest material handling machinery. A MEF arrives in the objective area and the NSE is responsible for the offload of MEF equipment and supplies through a port, over a beach, or a combination of both. Additionally, COMNAVBEACHGRU ONE is responsible for conducting and evaluating amphibious training and LCAC Welldeck Certification for all Pacific Fleet amphibious ships. Through Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART), inport and underway Basic Amphibious Training (BAT), training assists, crane certification audits and a two-week Amphibious Specialty Training period, ship’s personnel are trained to conduct various amphibious evolutions, including: assault craft handling, wet well operations involving landing craft and Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs), Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) embarkation, launch and control, and cargo handling operations. COMNAVBEACHGRU ONE is commanded by Captain James J. Bird, USN. COMNAVBEACHGRU ONE’s immediate superior in command is Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 (COMEXSTRKGRU THREE) http://www.esg3.navy.mil SUMMARY OF NAVAL BEACH GROUP ONE MAJOR OPERATIONS FOR CY 2001 The following summarizes major evolutions, operations and exercises in which elements of Naval Beach Group ONE and/or its four subordinate commands (Assault Craft Unit ONE, Assault Craft Unit FIVE, Beachmaster Unit ONE, and Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE) participated during the period January to December 2001. 26 Feb-30 Aug 01 - ACU-5 deploys on Exercise CARAT ’01 with USS RUSHMORE. 14 Mar-14 Sep 01 - ACU-5 Det C/ACU-1 Det D/BMU-1 Det E deploy with USS BOXER ARG. 19 Mar-6 Apr 01 - CNBG-1/ACB-1/ACU-1/BMU-1 participate in Exercise KERNEL BLITZ ’01 at Camp Pendleton. 23 Apr-30 Jun 01 - CNBG-1/ACB-1/ACU-1/BMU-1 participate in Exercise TURBO CADS ’01 in South Korea. 1 May-15 Jun 01 - CNBG-1/ACB-1/BMU-1 participate in Exercise TANDEM THRUST ’01 in Australia. 13 Aug 01 - ACU-5 Det D/ACU-1 Det E/BMU-1 Det A deploy with USS PELILEU ARG. 20 Aug-1 Sep 01 - Commodore attends Exercise ULCHI FOCUS LENS ’01 in Korea. 1 Dec 01 - ACU-5 Det F/ACU-1 Det C/BMU-1 Det D deploy with BONHOMME RICHARD ARG. SUMMARY OF NAVAL BEACH GROUP ONE MAJOR OPERATIONS FOR CY 2002 The following summarizes major evolutions, operations and exercises in which elements of Naval Beach Group ONE and/or its four subordinate commands (Assault Craft Unit ONE, Assault Craft Unit FIVE, Beachmaster Unit ONE, and Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE) participated during the period January to December 2002. 13 Aug 01-8 Mar 02 - ACU-5 Det D/ACU-1 Det E/BMU-1 Det A deploy with USS PELELIU ARG. 25 Feb-30 Apr 02 - CNBG-1/ACB-1/ACU-1/BMU-1 participate in JLOTS '02 at Camp Pendleton. 4 Mar-26 Apr 02 CNBG-1/ACB-1/ACU-1/BMU-1 participate in Exercise NATIVE ATLAS '02 at Camp Pendleton. 4 Mar-17 Jun 02 ACU-5 Det F/ACU-1 Det C deploy with USS BONHOMME RICHARD ARG. 8 Apr-28 Aug 02 ACU-5 deploys on Exercise CARAT '02 with USS ANCHORAGE ARG. 18 Apr-20 Jun 02 CNBG-1/ACB-1/ACU-1/ BMU-1 participate in Exercise COBRA GOLD '02 in Thailand. 15 Jun-14 Dec 02 ACU-5 Det B/ACU-1/BMU-1 Det B deploy with USS BELLEAU WOOD ARG. 17 Jun-31 Jul 02 ACU-5 Det E/ BMU-1 Det A participate in RIMPAC '02. 9 Aug-1 Sep 02 CAPT Cook/LCDR Azevedo attend Exercise ULCHI FOCUS LENS '02 in Korea. SUMMARY OF NAVAL BEACH GROUP ONE MAJOR OPERATIONS FOR CY 2003 The following summarizes major evolutions, operations and exercises in which elements of Naval Beach Group ONE and/or its four subordinate commands (Assault Craft Unit ONE, Assault Craft Unit FIVE, Beachmaster Unit ONE, and Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE) participated during the period January to December 2003. 6 Jan-6 Aug 03 CNBG-1/ACB-1/ACU-1/BMU-1/ACU-5 participate in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM/IRAQI FREEDOM. http://www.cnbg1.navy.mil/history.html Commander Naval Beach Group One Subordinate Commands: Assault Craft Unit ONE has approximately 350 personnel assigned and is responsible for 16 Landing Craft Utility (LCU), (12 based in San Diego, CA and 4 based in Sasebo, Japan), 4 Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM-8) and 3 Maritime Prepositioning Force Utility Boats based in San Diego, CA; and the support of 4 Naval Reserve Detachments. ACU ONE was established 1947. http://www.acu1.navy.mil/default.aspx ASSAULT CRAFT UNIT FIVE http://www.acu5.navy.mil/default.aspx Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) The Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) Transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel of the assault elements of the Marine Air/Ground Task Force both from ship to shore and across the beach. The landing craft air cushion (LCAC) is a high-speed, over-the-beach fully amphibious landing craft capable of carrying a 60-75 ton payload. Capable of operating from existing and planned well deck ships, it is used to transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel from ship to shore and across the beach. The advantages of air-cushion landing craft are numerous. They can carry heavy payloads, such as an M-1 tank, at high speeds. Their payload and speed mean more forces reach the shore in a shorter time, with shorter intervals between trips. The LCAC is capable of carrying a 60 ton payload (up to 75 tons in an overload condition) at speeds over 40 knots. Fuel capacity is 5000 gallons. The LCAC uses an average of 1000 gallons per hour. Maneuvering considerations include requiring 500 yards or more to stop and 2000 yards or more turning radius. The LCAC, like all "hovercraft," rides on a cushion of air. The air is supplied to the cushion by four centrifugal fans driven by the craft's gas turbine engines. The air is enclosed by a flexible skirt system manufactured of rubberized canvas. Unlike the Surface Effect Ship (SES), no portion of the LCAC hull structure penetrates the water surface; the entire hull rides approximately four feet above the surface. LCAC operates in waters regardless of depth, underwater obstacles, shallows or adverse tides. It can proceed inland on its air cushion, clearing obstacles up to four feet, regardless of terrain or topography), including mud flats, sand dunes, ditches, marshlands, riverbanks, wet snow, or slippery and icy shorelines. Equipment, such as trucks and track vehicles, can disembark via ramps located both forward and aft, there by shortening critical off load time. LCAC is a dramatic innovation in modern amphibious warfare technology. It provides the capability to launch amphibious assaults from points over the horizon, thereby decreasing risk to ships and personnel and generating greater uncertainty in the enemy's mind as to the location and timing of an assault, thereby maximizing its prospects of success. It is also important to point out the LCAC propulsion system makes it less susceptible to mines than other assault craft or vehicles. Previously, landing craft had a top speed of approximately eight knots and could cross only 17% of the world's beach area. Assaults were made From one to two miles off-shore. Due to its tremendous over-the-beach capability, LCAC is accessible to more than 80% of the world's coastlines. It can make an undisclosed, over the horizon (OTH) assault from up to 50 miles offshore. Its high speed complements a joint assault with helicopters, so personnel and equipment can be unloaded beyond the beach in secure landing areas. For 20 years, helicopters have provided the partial capability to launch OTH amphibious assaults. Now, with LCAC, landing craft complement helos in speed, tactical surprise and without exposing ships to enemy fire. With LCACs in the fleet, an amphibious assault force could be nearly 500 miles away at H-hour minus 24 and still make pre-dawn attack launched from beyond an enemy's horizon. The LCAC's air-cushion capability also allows it to proceed inland beyond an enemy's horizon to discharge cargo on dry, trafficable beaches, thus reducing build-ups of troops, equipment and other material in the surf zone. LCAC was developed to satisfy the need for an air cushion landing craft capable of carrying troops, artillery, tanks, combat vehicles, and other major items of combat and combat support equipment across the beach. LCAC is the production follow-on to earlier advanced development craft which were tested by the Navy between 1977 and 1981. On June 29, 1987, LCAC was granted approval for full production. Forty-eight air-cushion landing craft were authorized and appropriated through FY 89. Lockheed Shipbuilding Company was competitively selected as a second source. The FY 1990 budget request included $219.3 million for nine craft. The FY 1991 request included full funding for 12 LCACs and advance procurement in support of the FY 1992 program (which was intended to be nine craft). The remaining 24 were funded in FY92. As of December 1995, 82 LCACs had been delivered to the Navy. Initially, all testing had been conducted in Panama City, FL. Subsequently, the LCAC was tested in California, Australia, and in Arctic waters. Rough weather conditions forced cancellation of Exercise Valiant Usher 89-4, a joint U.S.-Australian amphibious assault exercise to be conducted off the northern Australian coastline. Objectives for tests in Alaska in March 1992 included evaluating all operational effectiveness and suitability concerns of multiple LCAC in an arctic environment. LCAC was neither operationally effective or suitable for arctic operations, and merely correcting the cold weather kit design would not be sufficient to conclude that LCAC was operationally effective and suitable in an arctic environment. Performance in opposed scenarios and in severe cold weather conditions would be necessary to fully evaluate LCAC performance. DOT&E recommended further operational testing. Developmental tests indicated that at colder temperatures engine power increases until gearbox torque limits capability, but icing and sea state would reduce that capability. Since then, LCAC has been used in two arctic exercises, one of which included operations in weather down to 15oF and realistic sortie rates. Based on this exercise, DOT&E concluded that further operational testing would not be necessary. LCAC demonstrated the ability to travel over light ice and open water, in fairly calm seas. The distance traveled per sortie ranged from 3-10 miles each way. Icing, which occurred in some conditions, also requires periodic interruption of missions to remove ice. JP-5 fuel was used, which alleviated problems with filters clogging. Also, LCAC has been involved in several minesweeping exercises, it has shown itself to be a potentially effective minesweeper in very shallow water. While this was not the original intent of the program, the system offers significant potential for enhancing force readiness. The first deployment of LCAC occurred in 1987 with LCAC 02/03/04 embarked in USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 42). In July 1987 LCAC 04 transited Buckner Bay, Okinawa and conducted the first LCAC landing on foreign soil. The largest deployment of LCAC took place in January 1991 with four (4) detachments consisting of eleven (11) craft reporting for duty in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm. The similarities between a Navy LCAC and an airplane are substantial. The craftmaster sits in a "cockpit" or command module with a headset radio on. He talks to air traffic control which for LCAC's is well-deck control located near a ship's sterngate. The ride feels like a plane in high turbulence. The craftmaster steers with a yoke, his feet are on rudder controls -- and he flies a lot like a hockey puck on an air hockey table, The LCAC is similar to a helicopter in that it has six dimensions of motion. Operating the LCAC demands unique perceptual and psychomotor skills. In addition, with a machine as expensive and inherently dangerous as the LCAC, sound judgment and decision-making also play an important role. Concerns over escalating training cost, projections for an increased number of LCAC vehicles and crew, and a high attrition rate in training highlighted the importance of developing a more accurate means of selecting candidates. Attrition of operators and engineers has dropped from an initial high of 40% in 1988 to approximately 10-15% today. http://www.acu5.navy.mil/Site%20Documents/Landing%20Craft,%20Air%20Cushion%20-%20Navy%20Ships.htm Beachmaster Unit One, located at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, is a member command of Naval Beach Group One. Other commands in this group are Assault Craft Unit One, Amphibious Construction Battalion One, and Assault Craft Unit Five. Together these units provide the capability of moving combat troops and equipment ashore from ships at sea and providing the beach logistical support once these troops are established on the beach.  Beachmaster Unit One is the Naval Element of the Landing Force Shore Party (LFSP).  The mission of BMU One is to support the landing movement over the beaches of troops, equipment and supplies, and to facilitate the evacuation of casualties and prisoners of war.  In addition, the Beachmasters maintain communications and liaison with designated naval commanders and naval control units, control all craft and amphibious vehicles in the vicinity of the beach from the surf line to the high water mark, coordinate the reembarkation of equipment, troops and supplies, determine and advise on the suitability for landing through coordination with the Oceanographic Section of the Sea, Air, Land (SEAL TEAM), control boat salvage, keep appropriate Navy commanders apprised of wind and surf conditions, install causeway beaching range markers and range lights, and assist in the defense of the beach. http://www.bmu1.navy.mil/site%20pages/Command%20Mission.aspx Prior to the formation of a Beachmaster Unit, a Shore Party was used as the integral party within a combat division in a Marine Pioneer Group or an Army Combat Engineer Group. In both services, the Shore Party formed the Underwater Demolition Team, Naval Pontoon Unit, and the Boat Pool. The Beach Party elements of the Shore Party were provided by the APA’s of the amphibious task force. Each APA provided a beach party, approximately two officers and thirty men, to support the landing of the battalion of troops. The Beach Party would land at the objective area and take charge of the beach in a manner similar to today. But the Beach Party was normally withdrawn with its’ parent ship. The concept was that the Shore Party was instrumental to the assault only and would be relieved promptly by garrison elements, including a garrison beach party, which would unload follow-on shipping. The Shore Party organization was inadequate, inefficient, and deficient in training. These weaknesses led to the formation of the Beach Party Battalion. The Beach Party Battalion, which included a Beachmaster Unit, was established for experimental purposes in July 1947. In July 1948, the Chief of Naval Operations ordered the commissioning of the Beachmaster Unit as a separate command with designation as Beachmaster Unit ONE (BMU-1). BMU-1 was commissioned at the U.S. Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, California, 13 July 1949. BMU-1 saw action with the First Marine Division during the amphibious assaults of Wonsan and Inchon, Korea in September and October 1950, and the evacuation of Hungman and Inchon during December 1950 and January 1951 (Presidential Unit Citation). For action while operating with Task Force 90 from August to September 1950 the Unit was awarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. From August to November 1954, a Beachmaster detachment operating under Task Force 90, during operation PASSAGE TO FREEDOM directed the loading of Vietnamese refugees and French Union Military forces and equipment at Haiphong, French Indo-China. The Beachmasters were awarded the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation (Ribbon of Friendship) for this operation which eventually led to the evacuation of more than 500,000 Vietnamese refugees. From January to February 1955, a Beachmaster detachment performed the beach landing craft phases of Operation FULLBACK which involved the armed evacuation of the Chinese Nationalist from the Tachen Islands from January to February 1955. In 1962 the Unit deployed in complete combat readiness to the Caribbean from October to December during the Cuban Missile Crisis. From 1965 to 1973 Beachmasters participated in over 70 combat beach landings during the Vietnam conflict. Among the more significant landings were: March 8, 1965- 3500 Marines landed at Da Nang during the first amphibious landing of the Vietnam War; April 4, 1965- 3652 Marines and 756 support vehicles were landed at Da Nang and Hue; September 24, 1966- Operation DAGGER THRUST I- first amphibious raid, near Quinhon; January 28, 1966- Operation DOUBLE EAGLE – Largest landing since Inchon, over 5000 Marines (Navy Unit Commendation); May 1967- Operation BEAU CHARGER- Seven Beachmasters suffered casualties due to enemy mortar fire during the operation (Meritorious Unit Commendation); and in 1968 Beachmasters participated in the Defense of Hue during the Tet Offensive (Navy Unit Commendation). From 1990 to present Beachmasters have had near continuous presence in the Arabian Gulf in support of United Nations Sanctions, two Iraq Wars, and the Global War on Terrorism. From August to September 1990, Beachmasters participated in the offload of the Maritime Prepositioning Force in Jubail, Saudi Arabia during Operation DESERT SHIELD. From January to March 1991 the Unit deployed in support of amphibious operations during Operation DESERT STORM (Navy Unit Commendation). In August 1994, Beachmaster Unit ONE deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR, and again in August 1995 in support of Operation VIGILANT SENTINEL in response to United Nations Sanctions against Iraq. In 2002 Beach Party Teams (BPT) deployed to offload Amphibious Task Force West and Maritime Pre-positioning ships into Kuwait Naval Base. The Unit continued to offload troops and equipment into Kuwait from January to May 2003 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (Navy unit Commendation). From March to May 2003 Beachmasters embarked in USS DULUTH assisted U.S Coast Guard port security units providing security to the Iraqi Gas and Oil Platforms KAAOT and MABOT (USCG Meritorious Unit Commendation). Beachmasters have also been involved in several humanitarian and disaster relief efforts including the San Francisco earthquake (1989) and the Exxon Valdez oil spill (1990). From May to June 1991 the Unit provided humanitarian aid to Bangladesh after a tropical cyclone and tidal surge during Operation SEA ANGEL (Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Humanitarian Service Medal). In June 1991 the Unit assisted in the evacuation of military personnel and dependants after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Republic of the Philippines during Operation FIERY VIGIL (Joint Meritorious Unit Award). In December 1992, Beachmasters directed the landing of units into Mogadishu, Somalia in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE. Beachmasters remained on the beach supporting the entire United Nations effort from March 1993 until the final withdraw of the United Nation Forces in March 1995. The Unit provided assistance from Hurricane Iniki in Kauai (1992), Flooding in the Tijuana River Valley (1993), Operation FREEDOM BANNER in Korea (1994), and Operation NATURAL FIRE in Kenya (2000). In December 2004, BMU-1 deployed a BPT in under 48 hours in support of Operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE, providing immediate assistance to Tsunami victims across Southeast Asia (Humanitarian Service Medal). Again in October 2005 Beachmasters were among the first to deliver medical supplies, provisions, and heavy equipment to the Government of Pakistan after the devastating earthquake. In February 2007 BPT ECHO along with reservists from CHARLIE and GOLF deployed to Guatemala for one month in support of Humanitarian Support over the Shore (HSOTS) and Operation HANDCLASP. They transported 415 Pieces of Equipment, tools and humanitarian supplies across the beach. Their efforts were instrumental in assisting the SOUTHCOM meet its readiness goals and helped demonstrate that our nation is a valued partner in the region. Today, the Unit's Teams embark in Amphibious Ships and deploy as part of an Expeditionary Strike Group. When not deployed, Beachmasters routinely participate in Fleet and Theater exercises (RIMPAC, FOAL EAGLE, COBRA GOLD, CARAT, KERNEL BLITZ BRIGHT STAR, JLOTS, and TALISMAN SABRE) and provide a wide variety of support services at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, and throughout the Southern California operation area. Throughout an illustrious history, from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the Beachmasters have carried out the command, “Land the Landing Force,” with skill, professionalism, and dedication. http://www.bmu1.navy.mil/site%20pages/history.aspx BMU 1 UNIT AWARDS Beachmaster Unit ONE has earned two Presidential Unit Citations, two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, eight Navy Unit Commendations, six Meritorious Unit Commendations, 21 Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citations, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation. The Unit also wears the China Service Medal, National Defense Medal (One Bronze Star), Korean Service Medal (two Bronze Stars), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (two Bronze Stars), Vietnam Service Medal, South West Asia Service Medal (two Bronze Stars), GWOT Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia). http://www.bmu1.navy.mil/Site%20Pages/bmu1unitawards.aspx AMPHIBIOUS CONSTRUCTION BATTALION ONE http://www.acb-1.navy.mil/default.aspx ACB-1 was originally commissioned in 1943 as the 104th Naval Construction Battalion. In 1950, the unit was re-designated Amphibious Construction Battalion One. Through the years, ACB-1 has participated in all major conflicts. ACB-1 was the first Seabee unit ashore in Vietnam and the first Naval Construction Force unit to deploy during Operation Desert Shield The assignment to build the emergency landing strip on Yo Do fell to ACB 1's Det. George. Led by Lt. T.E. Rowe, Det. George was composed of one warrant machinist, six chief petty officers and 69 Seabee enlisted men. Six of these Seabees proudly wore the blue, yellow and red ribbon for the Presidential Unit Citation, which was awarded to ACB 1 for the landing at Inchon almost two years earlier. A month after the September 15, 1950 landing at Inchon, ACB 1 moved to the east coast of Korea and again supported the 1st Marine Division. This time they landed at the port city of Wonsan as part of the 1st Marine Division's shift from the Inchon-Seoul area to the northeast coast of Korea. While the Marines moved north to positions in the Chosin Reservoir area, the Seabees built piers and unloaded ships. On 13 August the first Seabees arrived in Saudi Arabia, an element of Amphibious Construction Battalion 1, comprising 210 personnel. These men immediately went to work unloading Marine Corps equipment and supplies from Maritime Pre-positioned Force ships. On 10 December 1992 Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 arrived at Mogadishu as part of the Naval Support Element in Somalia. Within a short time ACB 1 unloaded five of the U.S. Marines' Maritime Pre-positioning Force ships, refurbished the port, and provided fuel and water for military forces in Somalia.   http://www.acb-1.navy.mil/Site%20Pages/History.aspx _________________ U. S. Navy Veteran  August 1977 to July 1983 Yoeman Second Class, with student pilot's license
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