The US Navy Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) have arrived at multiple Baltic Sea ports for training and reinforcement of ties with regional allies.
The unit comprises the ARG flagship Kearsarge (LHD 3), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).
The vessels docked in Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Tallinn, Estonia.
The US ARG-MEU’s arrival in the Baltic Sea demonstrates the commitment of the US and its allies and partners “to preserving security and stability in the region.”
Making connections with our allies! #Navypartners ⚓
BALTIC SEA 📍 The #USSKearsarge (LHD 3) arrived in multiple Baltic Sea ports for scheduled port visits to allied and partner nations, August 5, 2022.
Read the story here: https://t.co/ElVX6fGwzS pic.twitter.com/Hv9xOJ5wPW
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) August 7, 2022
“While operating in the Baltic Sea, the Sailors and Marines of the ARG-MEU will have multiple opportunities to foster relationships built on a common foundation of shared values, experiences, and vision for the region and for Europe,” the US Navy wrote in a press release.
The event marks the return of ARG Kearsarge and the USS Gunston Hall to the Baltic Sea after participating in Exercise Siil 2022 led by the Estonian Defense Forces last May and the multinational exercise Baltic Operations 2022 (BALTOPS22) in June.
The visit was a first for the USS Arlington since its deployment to the US East Coast.
The three US vessels have also completed mid-voyage deployment repair and maintenance periods in France, Croatia, and Denmark. The maintenance period has allowed sailors to conduct necessary repairs while strengthening ties with host nations.
