Bataan group to leave early for Med due to Libyan crisis

Posted to: Military Norfolk
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By Kate Wiltrout
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 19, 2011

NORFOLK

Three locally based ships will deploy early and head to the Mediterranean Sea next week in case they are needed for response to the crisis in Libya.

The amphibious assault ship Bataan, amphibious transport dock ship Mesa Verde and the dock landing ship Whidbey Island will depart March 23, the Navy announced today.

The Bataan amphibious ready group, as it's called, will relieve the Norfolk-based Kearsarge amphibious ready group.

Various other units are departing with the ready group, including the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit; Amphibious Squadron 6; Tactical Air Control Squadron 22; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28; and Fleet Surgical Team 8.

The ready group and its Marines are prepared to support a variety of missions, the Navy said in a news release, including forward naval presence, maritime security operations, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

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