The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWOARG), with embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), departed U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), June 21.
The ARG entered U.S. 6th Fleet AOO upon completion of a Suez Canal transit and the 4,000 U.S. Sailors and Marines assigned to the ARG and 24th MEU will serve in the U.S. 6th Fleet AOO before completing their scheduled seven-month deployment.
While on station in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO, the ARG and 24th MEU supported theater security cooperation and provided a forward naval presence by providing crisis response, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and combat capabilities.
The ARG played a crucial role in Yemen evacuation and contingency operations, participated in multiple bilateral and multi-lateral training exercises and conducted strategic transits of the Strait of Bab-Al-Mandeb.
The ARG ships left their homeport in Mayport, Florida, Dec. 11, and Dec. 12, 2014 on a regularly scheduled deployment and will continue to support operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet AOO.
Image: US Navy