USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3)

North Arabia Gulf, 07 July 2004 — A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) returns to the well deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) while transporting elements of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) ashore in Kuwait. The Belleau Wood Expeditionary Strike Group 3 (ESG-3) provides Fleet and Joint Force Commanders with a readily available, configurable force, capable of projecting power from the sea beyond the littorals through the defeat of anti-access strategies. CESG-3 further prepares for Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) operations, establishment of small scale Joint Task Force (JTF) headquarters and for the conduct of multi-national operations.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Bart Bauer

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