From typhoon relief to joint drills: USS Boxer wraps up global mission.
The crew of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), along with Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), returned home after a busy deployment across the Pacific. After months of joint exercises and humanitarian missions, the Navy-Marine Corps amphibious “extended team” returned last week to San Diego and Camp Pendleton, their home bases.
According to the Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs:
The 15th MEU is based at Camp Pendleton and is part of I Marine Expeditionary Force. As a premiere global crisis response force, 15th MEU is trained and ready to operate within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility with the Navy’s U.S. 3rd Fleet.
Boxer is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship homeported in San Diego. Commissioned Feb. 11, 1995, Boxer is the sixth ship to bear the name. Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines.
As an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations—from combat missions to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.
Operating as part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 15th MEU, the team of over 2,500 Sailors and Marines spent the past several months in the U.S. 7th and 3rd Fleet areas, tackling a diverse set of missions. Their time abroad wasn’t just about maintaining readiness, it was about proving the adaptability and reach of the ARG-MEU construct in real-world scenarios.
Capt. Tate Robinson, commanding Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5, said in a public statement:
“The tactical expertise and professionalism of this team is unmatched.
We trained with our allies, responded to crises, and showed just how flexible and capable the ARG-MEU is. This deployment really showcased the strength of the Navy-Marine Corps partnership.”
Training and Joint Exercises
One of the highlights of the latest deployment was the participation in Exercise Ssang Yong, a joint exercise with South Korean forces that demonstrated the U.S.-ROK alliance’s amphibious strength. This was a key opportunity for the Navy and Marine Corps to work alongside South Korean troops in a kind of training designed to improve their combined amphibious capability.
USS Boxer also worked with allies from Japan and New Zealand during the deployment. In September, they sailed alongside the JS Kongo, a guided-missile destroyer from Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, and participated in a personnel exchange to foster cooperation and understanding between the two navies. Around the same time, they completed three resupply missions with New Zealand’s HMNZS Aotearoa, which helped ensure Boxer’s operations could continue seamlessly in the region.
The crew’s versatility was further showcased during the stop in South Korea for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces Day celebration: USS Boxer hosted over 245 visitors, giving local officials and residents a closer look at the ship’s capabilities and the equipment the Marines and Sailors use in their missions.
Disaster Relief in the Philippines
One of the deployment’s most critical missions came when Typhoon Krathon (locally known as “Super Typhoon Julian”) struck the Philippines. At the request of the Philippine government, Boxer and the 15th MEU were redirected to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Working alongside USAID, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other local organizations, the ARG-MEU team delivered essential supplies to hard-to-reach areas, demonstrating the flexibility and value of an amphibious response team.
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The relief efforts were a perfect example of why the ARG-MEU construct is so effective: with air and sea-based assets at their disposal, they were able to quickly deploy resources to areas in need.
A Busy Schedule
Following the disaster response mission, Boxer remained in the Philippines to take part in Exercise KAMANDAG 8, an annual training event led by the Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps. The exercise focused on improving shared defense and humanitarian capabilities and included participants from Australia, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the UK.
The training provided an invaluable opportunity for the Marines and Sailors to refine their skills, share knowledge, and strengthen international partnerships, all while ensuring they’re prepared to respond to a variety of challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
The deployment also featured a lot of activity from Boxer’s air wing.
The ship launched and recovered more than 3,500 flights, logging over 2,100 flight hours. Aircraft embarked aboard Boxer included the F-35B Lightning II jets, MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, AH-1Z Viper, UH-1Y Venom and MH-60S Nighthawk helicopters. The air department also conducted numerous close-air support training missions, day and night, to keep the team sharp and ready for any mission.
In September, the H-1 Helicopter detachment from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165, Reinforced temporarily transferred to the expeditionary sea base USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), marking the first time a full H-1 detachment operated from this class of ship. The detachment’s UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helos carried out day and night close-air support training missions with live ordnance, enhancing the capability and capacity of the MEU’s Marine Air Ground Task Force.
Logistically, Boxer handled eight underway replenishments, moving over 5 million gallons of fuel and 350 pallets of food and equipment. These resupply efforts were crucial in keeping the ARG-MEU fully operational during their long journey.
All in all, Boxer and the 15th MEU traveled more than 3,200 nautical miles, stopping in places like Guam, Japan, and South Korea to strengthen partnerships and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. This deployment wasn’t just about maintaining a presence, it was about showing the world the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ ability to adapt, respond, and lead.
“From disaster response to joint training, this team has shown incredible versatility and dedication,” said Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th MEU. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together. These efforts will have a lasting impact on the region and on our ability to operate with allies and partners in the future.”
Boxer’s return marks the end of an eventful deployment but also a celebration of the hard work and resilience of its crew. The ship and its team are a reminder of the Navy and Marine Corps’ readiness to respond to any challenge, anywhere in the world.
