Three San Diego-based warships that deployed with the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis in January re-entered the Third Fleet command area in the eastern Pacific Ocean Monday, where they will take part in a major multinational exercise before returning home, according to the Navy.
The guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay, and destroyers USS Stockdale and USS William P. Lawrence have spent most of their time steaming in the contentious South China Sea, an area overseen by the Seventh Fleet. Tensions are high in the area because of competing territorial claims made on small islands by China and other neighboring countries.
They, along with sailors and airmen of 27 nations, will take part in RIMPAC, the 2016 Rim of the Pacific exercise off Hawaii and Southern California beginning Thursday. The Navy said 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will practice together through Aug. 4.
“The strike group has accomplished our mission in Seventh Fleet, fulfilling a vital role in a region the U.S. Navy has operated in for a century and a half,” said Rear Adm. Marcus Hitchcock, the task force commander. “I am very proud of our sailors, and I look forward to watching them excel during the upcoming Rim of the Pacific exercise, when they have the opportunity to operate with maritime professionals from 26 (other) nations.”
The strike group also includes the Stennis, based in Washington state, and destroyer USS Chung-Hoon, stationed in Hawaii.
The Mobile Bay is named for a Civil War naval battle. The Stockdale honors Vice Adm. James Stockdale, who won the Medal of Honor for leading prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict. The William P. Lawrence is named for another vice admiral who was also a Vietnam POW, and later commander of the U.S. Naval Academy.
The Navy also announced that the San Diego-based hospital ship USNS Mercy arrived today in Legazpi, Philippines, part of the Pacific Partnership humanitarian mission.
Crew members and representatives of aid organizations will help with medical and dental care for local residents, and help them with disaster preparation plans.
“This area is prone to disasters of various types,” said Capt. Tony Han, disaster symposium event coordinator for the four-month mission. “It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when a disaster will occur.”
The region was struck by large typhoons in both 2013 and 2014, according to the Navy. The Mercy left San Diego on May 11 and will visit six countries during the voyage.
–City News Service
