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USS America, Gabrielle Giffords, integrate operations

14 March 2020

From MC1 Taylor Jackson, USS America

The two ships operated together for the first time, exercising command and control and conducting tactical maneuvers in the South China Sea.
Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) sails alongside littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10).
USS America (LHA 6) sails alongside USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) during operations together in the South China Sea, March 13. (U.S. Navy/MCSN Dylan Lavin)
Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) sails alongside littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10).
America, Gabriel Giffords sail in SCS
USS America (LHA 6) sails alongside USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) during operations together in the South China Sea, March 13. (U.S. Navy/MCSN Dylan Lavin)
Photo By: MCSA Theodore C. Lee
VIRIN: 200313-N-FA868-1146

SOUTH CHINA SEA - Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, conducted operations with littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), March 13.

America, the Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship and Gabrielle Giffords, the fifth Independence-class littoral combat ship, joined forces while operating in the South China Sea.

The two warships operated together exercising command and control and executing tactical maneuvers. This is the first time the two ships have worked together.

“Integrating Gabrielle Giffords into the America Expeditionary Strike Group for this underway period adds to one of the ESG's greatest strengths - our versatility,” said Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, ESG 7. “By combining America's lethality provided by the Navy-Marine Corps Team with the speed and maneuverability of a littoral combat ship, we're forging new ways to operate together in one of the most important regions in the world.”

200313-N-BT681-1013.jpg
SLIDESHOW | images | 200313-N-BT681-1013 USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) operates in the South China Sea during drills with USS America (LHA 6). (U.S. Navy/MCSN Jonathan Berlier)

America, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) is conducting operations in the South China Sea after completing Exercise Cobra Gold in the Kingdom of Thailand, March 7. Gabrielle Giffords is on rotational deployment in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

America, flagship of the America Expeditionary strike Group 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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