USS San Diego visits Guam en route home

US Navy amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) visited Guam on January 9 while en route home.

The San Antonio-class ship and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are on the return leg of what is now a seven-month deployment after they deployed from San Diego in July 2017.

Naval Base Guam is a strategic US naval base located on Apra Harbor, Guam. It serves as one of the leading naval bases in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

“It feels good to be making our way home,” said Quartermaster 1st Class Christian Roman. “It’s strange to think that this is the first US (territory) port we have stopped in since we left San Diego.”

San Diego’s port visit will allow the crew the chance to conduct some maintenance, onload supplies and mail, as well as relax and enjoy the local scenery.

While in Guam, San Diego will be rejoining with the amphibious assault ship, and flagship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, USS America (LHA 6) who is also visiting the island.

“It’s good to get the band back together and merge the collective combat power to form the synergy that is the ARG/MEU team,” said Capt. Pete Collins, commanding officer of San Diego. “As individual units, each ship has its own significant presence, but the combined force is where the full combat power of the ARG/MEU team comes into play.”

After visiting Guam, San Diego will continue on her scheduled deployment as part of the America ARG.