Deployment included missions all over the globe, from maritime exercises in the Arabian Sea to Expeditionary Strike Force operations in the South China Sea, and ended with exercises in the Gulf of Alaska. “I am so excited to be able to welcome home the Makin Island Amphibious Readiness Group and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to San Diego,” said Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3. “These ships were deployed during an unprecedented pandemic and demonstrated the ability of the Navy and Marine Corps team to fight through to do the mission.” Due to the pandemic, Marines and Sailors were deployed longer than normally planned.