The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group's (ARG) return to Norfolk has been delayed by three weeks.
On Saturday the USS Bataan's Facebook page posted a letter from commanding officer Capt. George Vassilakis saying the Secretary of Defense has ordered the Bataan ARG and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to remain on station until the beginning of October.
That extension will delay the group's return until the end of October.
Photos: The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group on deployment
The Bataan ARG is comprised of the Bataan, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Gunston Hall. The group left Norfolk February 8th.
The letter states the group's deployment is being extended to provide a continuous presence of an ARG/MEU in the Arabian Gulf until the group's replacement, the USS Mankin Island ARG and embarked 11th MEU, arrive to relieve them.
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