Bataan ARG heads to Libya duty in Med - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Bataan ARG heads to Libya duty in Med

NORFOLK, Va. — A journey into uncertainty began Wednesday as the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group left its Norfolk bases, bound for the Mediterranean and a yet-to-be-determined role in the coalition operations off the coast of strife-torn Libya.

“They’re Marines, and they’ve been trained for the widest range of missions, from humanitarian assistance to combat operations,” said Col. Eric Steidl, commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. “And whatever we’re told to do, we’ll execute.”

“No matter what they ask of us, if it’s in our mission set, we’re ready to go,” said Capt. Steven Yoder, commander of Amphibious Squadron 6, which leads the group. That would include missions to rescue downed fliers, just as the Kearsarge and the 26th MEU launched on Tuesday to recover the downed pilot of an Air Force F-15, he said.

The Bataan ARG is leaving a few months early to relieve the Kearsarge ARG, now on station in the Med and supporting the coalition air strike mission that has helped take out Libyan air defense and communications nodes and open the skies for the U.N.-approved coalition no-fly zone over much of the country. The zone was approved March 17 to protect civilians in Libya being attacked by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s forces, who have been counterattacking rebel forces trying to gain control of the oil-rich nation.

The ARG leaders would not comment on what sort of operations they might be called upon to perform once in the Med. But they indicated that the early departure isn’t a rush job aimed at getting more naval combat power into the region, saying the group will spend several days picking up the rest of the MEU and its gear from Camp Lejeune, N.C., and then spend additional time off the coast performing so-called “integration training” that will bring together the onboard Navy and Marine Corps teams – particularly in terms of flight and well deck operations, Steidl said.

The ARG isn’t expected to begin sailing east in earnest until March 29 or 30. Even then, the leaders indicated that the ARG won’t conduct the transit with any more urgency than normal.

Meanwhile, questions remain about the way ahead in Libya. Reports on Wednesday indicate that Gadhafi continues to attack the rebels, who do not appear to be particularly well organized for the fight. The U.N. resolution does not authorize any attacks specifically aimed at protecting the rebels, or for defeating Gadhafi. U.S. officials say there are no plans to deploy ground troops, and continue to say they expect to hand off responsibility for overseeing the no-fly zone effort to allies and take more of a back seat.

The ARG consists of the amphibious assault ship Bataan and the amphibious transport dock ship Mesa Verde, both of which left Norfolk Naval Station on Wednesday, and the dock landing ship Whidbey Island, which pulled away from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. The ships will jointly carry the 22nd MEU, which consists of 2,200 sailors and Marines, Steidl said.

The MEU’s 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is bringing along 10 MV-22s, six AV-8B Harrier jump jets and a variety of attack, heavy-lift and utility helicopters, Steidl said.

Also embarked are Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 and Fleet Surgical Team 8.