USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducts UNREP with USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) in 6th Fleet AOR

131014-N-NB538-059 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 14, 2013) The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195). Kearsarge is deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sabrina Fine/Released)

PHOTEX: MV-22 Osprey landing on HMS Illustrious

A US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey Aircraft from the USS Kearsarge, lands onboard HMS Illustrious during Cougar 13. Photographer: L(Phot) Nicky Wilson.

Osprey lands on HMS Illustrious, Lynx lands on USS Kearsarge

US aircraft lands on British carrier… and British helo lands on US carrier.

130916-M-BS001-017 U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 16, 2013) An MV-22B Osprey from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 226 (Reinforced) lands on the flight deck of the HMS Illustrious (R06). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels/Released)

130916-M-SO289-021 U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 16, 2013) A United Kingdom Army Air Corps Westland Lynx battlefield helicopter lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone/Released)

130916-M-BS001-009 U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 16, 2013) An MV-22B Osprey from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 226 (Reinforced) lands on the flight deck of the HMS Illustrious (R06). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels/Released)

130916-M-SO289-008 U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 16, 2013) A United Kingdom Army Air Corps Westland Lynx battlefield helicopter lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone/Released)

PHOTEX: USS Kearsarge live fire exercise

130909-N-RL456-473 GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 9, 2013) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Shaleke Brown fires an M-240B machine gun during a crew serve weapons live fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Hunter S. Harwell/Released)

No plans for US Marines to intervene in Egypt

“There hasn’t been an official tasking.”

Read into that what you will.

Unofficially? Obviously. It’s called a contingency. But a single MEU still wouldn’t “intervene” in a civil war. It may have some utility in support of evacuation of US citizens, however.

No Plans for U.S. Marines Near Egypt to Intervene in Conflict

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), left, leads the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD-17) on June 16, 2013. US Navy Photo

Two amphibious warships in the Red Sea have not been given orders to respond to the growing unrest in Egypt, Navy and Marine Corps officials told USNI News on Friday.

“There hasn’t been an official tasking,” Marine Capt. Eric Flanagan at the Pentagon told USNI News.

“They’re not getting ready to go into Egypt.”

On Thursday, Reuters quoted Marine Corps commandant Gen. James Amos saying the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) were on station in case the situation devolved.

“Egypt is (in) a crisis right now,” Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos told the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. “When that happens, what we owe the senior leadership of our nation are some options.”

Currently the amphibious helicopter carrier USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and the USS San Antonio (LPD-17) are in the Red Sea following the June Eager Lion exercise between the U.S. and Jordan. The third ship in the ARG — USS Carter Hall (LSD-50 — is near the 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

“The point that he was making [is that] three navy ships that have the ability to move off the coast and be ready for action,” Flanagan said.A Navy official confirmed to USNI News that the ARG has not received new tasking to respond to the Egyptian crisis.

The ARG is embarked with about 2,200 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) from Camp Lejeune, N.C. The ships departed in March for operations in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

http://news.usni.org/2013/07/12/no-plans-for-u-s-marines-near-egypt-to-intervene-in-conflict