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OUR MISSION IS TO COMMAND, COORDINATE, PLAN, INTEGRATE, AND EXECUTE THE DEPLOYED AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS OF AN EXPEDITIONARY STRIKE GROUP IN CONJUNCTION WITH A MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (MEU)(SPECIAL OPERATIONS CAPABLE). CPR-7 IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL COMBAT INTEGRATION OF AN LHD, LSD, AND AN LPD IN SUPPORT OF AN EXPEDITIONARY STRIKE GROUP AND NATIONAL OBJECTIVES.

 
HISTORY

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN (CPR 7) was originally established on October 1, 1954 under the direction of CINCPACFLT during a reorganization of the Navy’s amphibious forces. This was done in order to best meet the current and future amphibious operations of the time.

In 1954, CPR-7 had operational control over the following amphibious ships and commands: TRANSDIV 71, USS Cavalier (APA 37), USS Sandoval (APA 194), USS Merrick (AKA 97), USS Cabildo (LSD 16), USS Point Defiance (LSD 31), USS Cavallaro (APD 128), TRANSDIV 72, USS Logan (APA 196), USS Menifee (APA 202), USS Mathews (AKA 96), USS Belle Grove (LSD 2), and USS Knudson (APD 101).

On August 1, 1986, under direction of COMNAVSURFPAC, the Pacific Fleet amphibious forces were reorganized and CPR-7 was redesignated as a low-numbered readiness and assault squadron.

On April 1, 1994 CPR-7 became a tactical squadron and its mission changed to conducting expeditionary warfare while maintaining an optimal state of readiness to effectively support national objectives as directed by Fleet Commanders. The oversight functions of the ships shifted to Commander, Amphibious Group THREE, and the size of the staff was significantly reduced.

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN deployed from June to December 1995 with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (11th MEU SOC) and the NEW ORLEANS Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). During this deployment, the ARG/MEU conducted Exercises INFINITE MOONLIGHT, EAGER MACE, RELIANT RESCUE, NEON FALCON and RELIANT GORILLA, visiting Hong Kong; Singapore; Aqaba, Jordan; Bahrain; Jebel Ali, UAE; Fremantle, Australia, and Pearl Harbor.

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN deployed again from March to September 1997 with the 15th MEU(SOC) and the BOXER ARG. The ARG/MEU participated in Exercises INFINITE MOONLIGHT, INFINITE SHADOW, RED REEF, and IRON MAGIC, while visiting Hong Kong; Singapore; Phuket, Thailand; Aqaba, Jordan; Misawa, Eritrea; Jebel Ali, UAE; Bali Indonesia; Darwin, Australia, and Pearl Harbor. Of note, Amphibious Squadron SEVEN is the "plankowner" squadron staff for USS BOXER (LHD 4).

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN’s next deployment was from December 1998 to June 1999 with the BOXER ARG and the 13th MEU(SOC). During the deployment, the ARG/MEU participated in exercises EDGED MALLET, NEON FALCON and EAGER MACE. The Squadron made port calls in Hong Kong; Singapore; Phuket, Thailand; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Jebel Ali, UAE; Bali, Indonesia; Townsville, Australia, and Pearl Harbor.

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN deployed from March to September 2001 with the BOXER ARG and the 11th MEU(SOC). During the deployment, the ARG/MEU provided Humanitarian Assistance Operations in East Timor and participated in Exercises EAGER MACE and RED REEF. The Squadron made port calls in Singapore; Phuket, Thailand; Jebel Ali, Guam, and Pearl Harbor. On the transit from Guam to Pearl Harbor, the Squadron rescued 8 Chinese fishermen.

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN participated in the Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2002 during June and July 2002. This multinational exercise involved ships, submarines, and aircraft from seven different countries and included Maritime Interdiction Operations, Sea Control, Strike Warfare, Humanitarian Assistance Operations and culminated in an amphibious landing in direct support of Coalition forces ashore.

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN’s following deployment was from January to July 2003, with the TARAWA ARG and 15th MEU (SOC) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While deployed, the command operated as the flagstaff for Commander, Task Force FIVE ONE during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN’s deployed again from December 2004 to June 2005 with the 15th MEU (SOC), flagship USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6) and the inaugural deployment for Expeditionary Strike Group FIVE. Responding to the devastating tsunami off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, the strike group participated in Operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE, conducting a massive humanitarian mission which delivered 2.1 million pounds of relief aid to the victims of the disaster. The squadron also participated in Operations ENDURING and IRAQI FREEDOM, conducting Maritime Security Operations Commander duties in the volatile waters of Iraq.

On August 12, 2010 after 24 years of naval service, Amphibious Squadron 7 was disestablished aboard USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6). Operational control of CPR-7’s subordinate units was assumed by Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3.

On July 1, 2020, the Chief of Naval Operations reestablished Amphibious Squadron 7 (CPR 7) in order to support five west coast rotational amphibious ready groups based out of San Diego, CA. CPR-7 was directed to provide centralized planning, embarkation, movement, control, coordination, and integration of all assigned assets in support of amphibious warfare operations.

From January 2021 to November 2022, CPR-7 served as the Commander, Amphibious Task Force (CATF) for both TRIPOLI and MAKIN ISLAND ARGs and completed various exercises and operations in the third and seventh fleet areas of responsibility.

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN’s most recent deployment was from November 2022 to June 2023, deploying to Seventh fleet with the Makin Island ARG and the 13th MEU aboard flagship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). CPR-7 planned and executed a multitude of operations including Fleet Battle Problem 22-2, CARAT Indonesia, CARAT Singapore, CARAT Sri Lanka, CARAT Timor-Leste, Cobra Gold 23, Ssang Yong 23, Balikatan 23, and Expeditionary Strike Force operations with the NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group.

Amphibious Squadron SEVEN currently employs five amphibious ships and embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit forces to execute all assigned operational tasks in support of the nation’s littoral warfare strategy.