www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, October 20, 2022 1
IN THIS ISSUE
VOL. 29, NO. 39, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
PAGE B6
October 20-October 26, 2022
Kearsarge ARG returns after deployment in the High North and Baltic Sea From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet NORFOLK, Va. — Sailors and Marines assigned to the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) returned home to Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia after completing a seven-month deployment in the Sixth Fleet area of operations, Oct. 13. More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Kearsarge ARG, and embarked 22nd MEU, supported a wide range of interoperability opportunities and exercises across the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations covering the High North, North Atlantic, Central Mediterranean, and Baltic region increasing combat readiness and crisis response capabilities while strengthening relationships with both NATO Allies and partners. “Today is a celebration of the Kearsarge ARG-MEU homecoming following a successful deployment to the High North, the Central Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea for seven months which demonstrated our dynamic ability to operate in any environment with resilience and mission success,” said Capt. Aaron Kelley, commander of the Kearsarge ARG and Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) Six. “From March to September of this year, we safely executed more than 12 major exercises and bilateral training opportunities. Together, the Kearsarge ARG-MEU operated alongside NATO Allies and partners in port and underway demonstrating solidarity, maintaining a high level of readiness, and preserving security and stability in our operating regions. I am humbled by the skill and professionalism of this ARG-MEU team and extremely proud of what they accomplished.” Exercises in the High North and North Atlantic regions included Northern Viking 2022, a multinational amphibious and maritime exercise alongside Allied nations from France, Germany, Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom; and a bilateral training event in northern Norway and the Norwegian Sea, exercising integrated cold weather and live fire training with Norwegian Armed Forces. “I am immensely proud of the high performance and outstanding professionalism displayed by our Sailors during this unique deployment,” said Capt. Tom Foster, commanding officer of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). “We operated for over 30 days, well north of the Arctic Circle, in the most unpredictable weather environment we have ever experienced. We also spent months operating in the Baltic Sea engaging in training and exercises with our NATO Allies and serving as a counter to Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.” In the Central Mediterranean, Sailors and Turn to Kearsarge, Page 7
NORFOLK (Oct. 13, 2022) – The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), returns to Naval Station Norfolk after a sevenmonth deployment, Oct. 13. More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) supported a wide range of interoperability opportunities and exercises across the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations increasing combat readiness and crisis response capabilities while strengthening relationships with both NATO Allies and partners. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST SEAMAN AARON ARROYO)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY U.S. NAVY!
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Sailors at various commands around the CNRMA region celebrate the Navy’s 247th birthday with the traditional cake cutting ceremony.
NAVSTA Norfolks VETAC provides education & services
The advent of Navy medicine in the Revolutionary War
In addition to treating MWDs, the facility also provides medical care to pets owned by personnel authorized DoD medical care including active duty service members and retirees. PAGE A5
During the Revolutionary War, Navy surgeons and surgeon’s mates— those first representatives of what we call Navy Medicine today—could be found on almost every ship of the Continental Navy. PAGE A2
Calling for Military Citizen of the Year The Hampton Roads Chamber is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Samuel T. Northern, Military Citizen of the Year (MCOY) award. PAGE A7
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