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Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group Ships to Participate In SNFL Deployment
Story Number: NNS040917-13
Release Date: 9/17/2004 4:06:00 PM
From USS Saipan Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Three ships and approximately 1,900 Sailors from the Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group got underway Sept. 15 to participate in the Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT), or SNFL, Western Atlantic (WESTLANT) deployment along the U.S. seaboard.
Saipan amphibious assault assets, which consist of USS Saipan (LHA 2), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and USS Trenton (LPD 14), will team up with 14 ships from five countries including Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and the United States.
The deployment, which began for STANAVFORLANT units Sept. 1 and is scheduled to last until Dec. 17, is the first WESTLANT deployment in more than four years. It presents a unique opportunity for U.S Navy forces to operate in a combined, joint environment with a certified NATO Reaction Force (NRF).
The objective of the STANAVFORLANT WESTLANT and strike group combined exercise (COMBINEX), is to conduct coordinated training and operate in a coalition environment while demonstrating the capabilities of an expeditionary strike group (ESG) as part of a multinational strike force. Upon completion of this exercise, U.S. Navy and STANAVFORLANT participants will have an advanced understanding of combined operations, and be ready to excel in any future coalition tasking.
The amphibious assault assets assigned to the Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group had their originally scheduled deployment canceled so that they could remain in an employable state of readiness should missions arise requiring their capabilities. This opportunity to engage with allies allows the ESG to maintain their proficiency.
In keeping with the Chief of Naval Operations’ concept of a responsive Navy, known as the Fleet Response Plan, ships only deploy when and where they are needed, emphasizing the concept of presence with a purpose.
STANAVFORLANT is a permanent peacetime multinational naval squadron composed of destroyers, cruisers and frigates from the navies of various NATO nations. The force operates, trains and exercises as a group, providing day-to-day verification of current NATO maritime procedures, tactics and effectiveness.
More information about SNFL can be found at www.manw.nato.int/manw/pages/organisation/snfl_history.htm.
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c2f.
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Saipan Hosts SNFL Ships - 9/23/2004
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