Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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MSSG-13 HIGHLIGHTS July 1994 - Conducted amphibious landing and rear area security tactics training. August 1994 - Underwent a FSMAO visit to improve supply and maintenance procedures. Continued predeployment preparations with NBC, rear area security, swim qualifications, rifle range, and crew serve weapons training. Received a mission capable grade by MCCRES evaluators. Most of MSSG-13 was aboard ARC ships in support of FLEET-EX September 1994- Completed the SOCEX and the MEU was awarded Special Operations Capable certification. October 25, 1994 - Deployed for WEST PAC 95-1. Most of MSSG-13 was embarked aboard the USS OGDEN, with small detachments aboard the USS ESSEX and the USS FORT FISHER. November 12-13, 1994 - Provided a Landig Force Support Party for BLT 3 1 training on Okinawa. November 26 -December 3, 1994 - Supported BLT 3 1 training in Singapore. December 14-22, 1994 Supported the MEU CE, BLT 3 1, and HMM-161 training ashore during Exercise EAGER MACE 95-1 conducted in the Republic of Kuwait. More than 10,441 miles were driven, 300,000 pounds of cargo delivered, 2,750 passengers carried, 1,200 gallons of water issued, and 6,300 gallons of fuel were pumped during exercises. December 25,1994 - Participated in a Vessel Board Search and Seizure of the Iranian ship Ajmer for violation of UN sanctions. December 28,1994 - Conducted MEU-wide maintenance stand-down in the United Arab Emirates. January 10-18, 1995 - Participated in Exercise NAUTICAL MANTIS 95-1 with Saudia Arabia. The MSSG played an extensive role in host nation bilateral training, while providing responsive sea based logistics to the BLT ashore. January 21-23, 1995 - Back in the United Arab Emirates to participate in Exercise IRON MAGIC 95-1. ARG MEU medical assets were put to the test with a Mass Casualty drill. EOD teams cleared training and bivouac areas of duds. February 1-27,1995 - Conducted on-board unit training in preparation for Operation UNITED SHIELD. This included Military Police training in the use of Less-Than-Lethal weapons and tactics. The rest of the Marines reviewed basic infantry skills, rules of engagement, detainee handling, and even learned some basic Somali phrases. February 8,1995 - Arrived off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia. February 28- March 3,1995 - Conducted operation UNITED SHIELD, the MAGTF ' s mission to support the UN withdrawl from civil war torn Mogadishu as well as the MSSG ' s specific mission to provide combat service and support for all forces ashore were both completely successful. Not a single Marine or Sailor was killed or seriously wounded despite the many dangers encountered. March 17-25, - Spent a week of well deserved liberty in Perth, Australia. March 25-April 1 5 - Prepared for May FSMAO, conducted a unit wide Battle Skills Test, held ship-board safety classes, attended Return and Reunion Classes through visiting Navy Family Service Center counselors. April 15, 1995 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. April 18-24, 1995 - Tiger Cruise is highlighted by tiger familiarization fire and machine gun night demonstration shoot off the fan tail. April 25,1995 - Completion of WEST PAC 1-95. 465

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Unit History MEU Service Support Group 13 MEU Service Support Group 13 is task-orga- nized, equipped, and assigned by the Commandinj General, 1st Force Service Support Group, from tl assets of the eight battalions organic to the FSSG. Il mission is to provide combat service support, speci cally: supply, maintenance, transportation, deliberai engineer, health services and services to the forw deployed 13th MEU. MSSG-13 was formally activated at Ca Pendleton, Calif., on 1 February, 1985, but its histoi and lineage can be traced, indirectly, through a com- posite of the subordinate battalions of 1st FSSG from World War II through Korea and Vietnam. The prede- cessors of MSSG, Marines and sailors from 1st Land- ing Support Battalion, 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Main- tenance Battalion, 7th Motor Transport Battalion, 1st Dental Battalion, 1 st Medical Battalion and Headquar- ters and Service Battalion fought with distinction through Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Chosin Reser- voir, and Vietnam. Although the designation of the Combat Service Support Element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force has changed many times, from Combat Service Group, Force Service Regiment, Force Logistics Command and Force Service Support Group, each Marine and sailor still contributes his own specialized skill to ensure that the personnel and equipment of the combat arms are ready for and sustained throughout - combat and contingency operation. Relatively small in num- ber, with less than 300 Marines and sailors, MSSG-13 stands ready to support the 13th MEU across the spectrum of Combat Service Support requirements Organic capabilities include replenishment of al classes ofsupply, vehicular transportation, and landing support for both amphibious craft and helicopters. Engineer capabilities include Explosive Ordnance Disposal, road improvement, water production and distribution, and bulk fuel storage and distribution. Medical and dental support is resident in the MSSG for both health mai ntenance and battlefield casualty treat- ment and evacuation. Services supported through the MSSG include military police, disbursing and infor- i mation systems management. During an amphibious landing, while the Ma- rines of MSSG-13 are performing these myriad tasks both ashore and afloat, they are always prepared to depart from their specialized mission and assume the role of Marine riflemen should the need arise. While afloat, the Marines and sailors of MSSG- 1 3 are spread- loaded across the ships of the Amphibious Ready Group, proudly serving as an integral part of the Navy Marine Corps team. 1

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MSSG- 13 Supporting Operations on The Kuwait Iraqi Border