Kearsarge ARG deploys after wind delay | WAVY.com

USS San Antonio deployed on March 11, 2013. Photo by WAVY/Art Kohn.

Kearsarge ARG deploys after wind delay

Updated: Tuesday, 12 Mar 2013, 10:23 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 11 Mar 2013, 11:09 AM EDT

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Sailors and Marines on the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed Monday.

According to a news release from the Navy, the KSGARG's deployment is part of a regular rotation in the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. The group was scheduled to deploy last week, but winds caused a delay.

Photos: Comings and goings at NSN

Capt. John B. Skillman commands the KSGARG, which is comprised of USS Kearsage, USS San Antonio and USS Carter Hall.

Monday's deployment was the San Antonio's second combat deployment.

"San Antonio is in the best shape of her life right now," commanding officer Capt. Neil Koprowski said. "None of our funding was ever affected by the sequestration. This was our scheduled time to deploy."

According to a report from the United States Naval Institute, the Navy had considered deferring this deployment. Instead, the Navy opted instead to keep just one aircraft carrier stationed in the gulf instead of two.

Beyond 2013, the Navy's strategy regarding the deployment of amphibious groups like the Kearsarge is uncertain in the absence of a budget.

"As we move forward, whatever we do at the end of this year is going to dictate what kind of presence we're going to have in the future," Capt. Brad SKillman said. "There's going to be a lot of discussions about that over the course of this year."