USS Comstock Docks in San Diego After Thrilling Indo-Pacific Adventure

SAN DIEGO — The USS Comstock (LSD 45), a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, marked its return to San Diego after a significant nearly four-month stint in the operational zones of the U.S. 7th Fleet as of October 8.

Housing over 400 sailors, the Comstock actively engaged in numerous exercises and operations. These initiatives underscored U.S. commitments to maintaining an open and free Indo-Pacific region through impressive interoperability and coordination efforts.

“The dedication of Comstock’s crew in fulfilling their duties within the U.S. 7th Fleet has been outstanding,” emphasized Cmdr. Byron Stocks, the commanding officer aboard USS Comstock. He highlighted the mission’s success in showcasing joint force capabilities.

Aimed at enhancing joint initiatives, the Comstock worked alongside the America Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during intensified integrated training and MEU certification processes. Additionally, integration efforts extended to collaborating with a motorized weapons company from the 31st MEU and Combat Logistics Battalion 31.

Throughout this deployment, two landing craft utilities from Naval Beach Group 7 were aboard to demonstrate the amphibious Navy’s shore connectors’ proficiency.

The Comstock also played a pivotal role in Exercise Ssang Yong 24. This decisive action phase showcased a display of large-scale maneuvers from both sea and air, conducted by the combined forces of the Republic of Korea and U.S. Forces. These exercises illustrated the alliance’s robust capacity for unified amphibious operations.

Ssang Yong exercises have been a regular occurrence since 2012, emphasizing the continued defensive posture enhancement on the Korean Peninsula while bolstering naval and amphibious prowess.

Post-Exercise Ssang Yong saw the Comstock navigating back home to San Diego, concluding its extensive deployment period.

On intervals away from the sea, the sailors of Comstock engaged in cultural exploration with port visits to Guam, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

The USS Comstock is based out of Naval Base San Diego and operates under Amphibious Squadron 1.

An essential component of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the 3rd Fleet leads naval operations within the Indo-Pacific region, ensuring that naval personnel receive realistic and pertinent training essential for effective execution of diverse military operations, spanning combat scenarios to humanitarian missions. Through partnerships with allies, they aim to bolster principles like freedom of navigation and the rule of law, fundamental to regional security.