The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu is scheduled to leave San Diego Tuesday for a multinational naval exercise and deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian oceans.
Peleliu and its crew of 1,050 sailors will participate in the multinational maritime exercise known as RIMPAC — for Rim of the Pacific — as the command ship for an expeditionary strike group. A group of Marines will also be embarked on the ship.
The training will take place from June 26 to Aug. 1 in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
Another San Diego-based ship, the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George, left Monday for RIMPAC and a Western Pacific deployment.
RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise. More than 25,000 personnel from 23 nations in 48 surface ships, six submarines and more than 200 aircraft are set to participate in this year’s RIMPAC exercise, according to the Navy. Navy officials said the participating nations will use a wide range of capabilities pertaining to disaster relief, maritime security and naval combat.
The vessel will proceed to other operations following the exercise, according to the Navy.
“Peleliu is ready for all assigned missions and any possible mission that could arise,” said Capt. Paul Spedero Jr., the commanding officer. “While forward deployed, we are prepared to handle contingencies that may arise from conducting operations to supporting humanitarian assistance/disaster response or delivering combat power ashore, when necessary.”
— City News Service