NNS1702. USS Nassau ARG required for humanitarian relief;
return to homeport my be delayed

by Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs
     NORFOLK (NNS) -- The USS Nassau Amphibious Ready Group
(ARG) will remain on station in the Adriatic conducting
urgent humanitarian relief operations in support of ongoing
operations in Kosovo.
     Capitalizing on the airlift and mobility capabilities
of the ARG/MEU team, this international relief effort may
delay the Nassau ARG's return to homeport by approximately
two weeks. USS Nassau (LHA 4), USS Pensacola (LSD 38), USS
Nashville (LPD 13) and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine
Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) had been
scheduled to return to homeport May 13.
     The Navy and Marine Corps recognizes the impact and
continued sacrifice which meeting this requirement will have
on the families involved, and will do everything possible to
minimize uncertainty and inconvenience. An exact revised
return date will be released when known.-USN-