The Navy announced this week that the San Diego-based Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Pendleton, were relieved of their duties in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility and are headed home after a six-month deployment.
The Makin Island ARG and the 11th MEU handed off responsibility to the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, both based on the East Coast.
In addition to the USS Makin Island, the USS New Orleans and the USS Pearl Harbor also make up the Makin Island ARG.
Col. Michael Hudson, 11th MEU's commanding officer, said of the Makin Island ARG's mission:
"The Marines and Sailors have continuously demonstrated the flexibility and adaptability of the Navy and Marine Corps team as they hit every pitch. This journey started over a year ago, during pre-deployment training and we leave here now proud of what we have accomplished."
The USS Makin Island departed San Diego for its maiden voyage November 2011. Here's a video report on the departure:
