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US ship on security operations docks at Jebel Ali

DUBAI — The USS Kearsarge LHD-3 anchored at the Jebel Ali Port, Dubai yesterday as part of its six-month mission in the region. Senior Chief David Nagle, Public Affairs Officer, and Lieutenant Bill Urban, Public Affairs Officer, led a group of media people on a tour on board the USS Kearsarge.

"The Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) to set conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment. MSO complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations and deny international terrorists use of maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, drugs or other material," said SC Nagle.

Captain Alfred Nugent, Chief Staff Officer, said: "A large part of our mission is getting the Marines where they need to be when they need to be there. Navy/Marine integration runs far deeper than simple transport and onload/offload."

Capt. Nugent said that the Navy and Marine teams are fully integrated into all defensive and offensive missions from the ESG.

The power projection of the groups includes Marine Battalion Landing Team, Tomahwak Cruise Missiles, Marine Air Combat Element, Naval Surface Fire, and Harpoon Missiles.

"The USS Kearsarge LHD-3 was a command ship that was part of 'Operation Iraqi Freedom', and it has deployed a number of marine soldiers that were part of the 'Operation Iraqi Freedom'. Our mission here now is to support the marines in Kuwait who are there on a training exercise. Another reason would be the Maritime Security operation in the region. What we are doing here now has been going on for two decades now. I do not think there is going to be a large scale war on a nation to nation basis, but we are there to support our soldiers," said Capt. Nugent.

• UAE