By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

COMING close on the heels of a port visit by three Navy destroyers, more Navy ships may call on Guam this weekend.
According to Variety sources, an even bigger group of Navy ships will be arriving on Guam this Saturday, April 28.
At least six ships may call on Guam including a cruiser, a destroyer, a guided missile destroyer, an amphibious assault ship, and a dock landing ship.
According to Variety sources, the Navy group may also carry a complement of Marines and helicopters.
If the visit materializes, thousands of sailors may be granted liberty on Guam, including Marines and helicopter crews.
The ships all belong to the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, or BHRESG, which entered the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility on April 23, while enroute to the Persian Gulf in support of the global war on terrorism.
BHRESG is a rapid response strike group available for humanitarian or non-combatant evacuation operations.
While operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, the BHRESG will conduct drills and exercises to prepare for operations in the Persian Gulf.
BHRESG is comprised of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), the USS Denver (LPD 9), the USS Rushmore (LSD 47), the USS Milius (DDG 69), the USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), and the USS Chosin (CG 65).
The strike group also includes PHIBRON 7 and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The BHRESG serves under the Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.
All in all, more than 6,000 sailors and Marines are in the USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, which departed Naval Base San Diego on April 10.