Navy strike group departs Persian Gulf

WASHINGTON , Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy's Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group announced it has departed the U.S. 5th Fleet operations in the Persian Gulf.

After four months of Maritime Security Operations, the USS Bonhomme Richard, USS Denver and USS Rushmore participated in counter-terrorism and security efforts in the Gulf region, according to the U.S. Navy.

"Our role here was to help lend security to the region,” said Capt. Bradley Martin, the commander of BHRESG, in a statement. “Whether it was deterring piracy or smuggling by our presence, or training with our coalition partners, I believe our sailors and Marines contributed significantly to the free and unhindered use of the seas here in the Gulf.”

BHRESG units conducted various operations in the Gulf and practiced crisis response contingencies exercises. The Marines of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked with BHRESG, spent nearly four months in Iraq's Al Anbar province conducting ground combat counterinsurgency operations.

“It’s a tribute to the versatility of our sailors and Marines that we were able to perform such a variety of missions while we were here,” said Martin. “We are first and foremost a fighting force, but we also have a responsibility to ensure peace and do all we can to provide assistance in times of need.”