USS Mesa Verde Speeds Through Maiden Deployment
UNITED STATES - 15 APRIL 2010
As USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) approaches the halfway point in her maiden deployment, her flexibility continues to enable her to fulfill multiple missions from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in Haiti to maritime security operations (MSO) in the Arabian Gulf.
"We started off with a very meaningful mission right out the gate, going down and helping folks in Haiti. That was a tremendous opportunity for the ship to really earn its operational stripes," said Cmdr. Larry LeGree, Mesa Verde's commanding officer.
"I have a really solid team, and we're enjoying operating this new ship," said LeGree.
USS Mesa Verde is forward deployed helping to ensure security and stability in U.S. 5th Fleet's Area of Responsibility (AOR).
As part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, Mesa Verde is one of three ships that either operate together as a group, or when needed separately to fulfill multiple missions.
USS Mesa Verde is operating separately, also known as conducting distributed operations, during most of its time in theater, requiring it to move locations frequently.
"If this [distributed operations] is the way the ARG/MEU (amphibious ready group/marine expeditionary unit) teams are going to operate in the future - these big LPDs really are a good platform for that," said LeGree.
USS Mesa Verde's speed and fuel efficiency has enabled the ship to increase her operating range and flexibility, making Mesa Verde a sought after commodity for mission commanders.
"The ship has a beautiful hull form. It's a very laminar kind of flow to it. And, as a result, it's a fast ship and it is also a very fuel efficient ship. I have no problem covering lots of ground. And that's the reality of distributed operations; we go from one position for one exercise or engagement to another and we make lots of good, sustainable speeds," said LeGree.
USS Mesa Verde is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently supporting MSO and theater security cooperation operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR, under the command of Expeditionary Strike Group 5.
File Photo: U.S. Navy USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), Length: 208.5 meters
RED SEA (Feb. 28, 2010) The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) prepares to receive pallets of supplies during an underway replenishment. Mesa Verde and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) are part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
SUEZ CANAL (Feb. 26, 2010) The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) transits the Suez Canal. USS Mesa Verde is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
ROTA, Spain (Feb. 19, 2010) The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) is moored pier side for a scheduled port visit. USS Mesa Verde is deployed as part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group.
UNITED STATES - 15 APRIL 2010
As USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) approaches the halfway point in her maiden deployment, her flexibility continues to enable her to fulfill multiple missions from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in Haiti to maritime security operations (MSO) in the Arabian Gulf.
"We started off with a very meaningful mission right out the gate, going down and helping folks in Haiti. That was a tremendous opportunity for the ship to really earn its operational stripes," said Cmdr. Larry LeGree, Mesa Verde's commanding officer.
"I have a really solid team, and we're enjoying operating this new ship," said LeGree.
USS Mesa Verde is forward deployed helping to ensure security and stability in U.S. 5th Fleet's Area of Responsibility (AOR).
As part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, Mesa Verde is one of three ships that either operate together as a group, or when needed separately to fulfill multiple missions.
USS Mesa Verde is operating separately, also known as conducting distributed operations, during most of its time in theater, requiring it to move locations frequently.
"If this [distributed operations] is the way the ARG/MEU (amphibious ready group/marine expeditionary unit) teams are going to operate in the future - these big LPDs really are a good platform for that," said LeGree.
USS Mesa Verde's speed and fuel efficiency has enabled the ship to increase her operating range and flexibility, making Mesa Verde a sought after commodity for mission commanders.
"The ship has a beautiful hull form. It's a very laminar kind of flow to it. And, as a result, it's a fast ship and it is also a very fuel efficient ship. I have no problem covering lots of ground. And that's the reality of distributed operations; we go from one position for one exercise or engagement to another and we make lots of good, sustainable speeds," said LeGree.
USS Mesa Verde is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently supporting MSO and theater security cooperation operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR, under the command of Expeditionary Strike Group 5.
File Photo: U.S. Navy USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), Length: 208.5 meters
RED SEA (Feb. 28, 2010) The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) prepares to receive pallets of supplies during an underway replenishment. Mesa Verde and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) are part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
SUEZ CANAL (Feb. 26, 2010) The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) transits the Suez Canal. USS Mesa Verde is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
ROTA, Spain (Feb. 19, 2010) The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) is moored pier side for a scheduled port visit. USS Mesa Verde is deployed as part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group.
