Exercise Sea Soldier
On 11 September 1990 the first echelon of the 4th MEB arrived in the Gulf of Oman in Transit Group 1. By 17 September, all three transit groups were in the Gulf of Oman, just outside the Persian Gulf, and the amphibious task force [ATF] began to plan for landing rehearsals. The first of these landing exercises, which would have the code name "Sea Soldier," began with a night amphibious raid by the 13th MEU(SOC) followed by the 4th MEB landing across the beaches of Oman by both helicopter and surface craft.
Operation Imminent Thunder and was conducted from 15-21 November 1990. Exercise Imminent Thunder was the final rehearsal of CINCCENT's defensive plans. This exercise was the first in a continuous series of operations carefully designed to deceive the Iraqi command as to the direction of the Coalition's ground attack. The landing site was Ras Al Ghar in Saudi Arabia. During the Imminent Thunder an amphibious landing using hovercraft had to be cancelled because of high winds and 10-foot waves. A few weeks later, the ATF returned to Ras Al-Madrakah to conduct Exercise Sea Soldier III. By this time, the ATF had received preliminary guidance that its assault objective during the ground offensive would be along the Kuwaiti coast, precipitating staff rehearsals and planning to counter the extensive Iraqi coast defenses.
As of 24 January 1991 elements of IV and V Marine Expeditionary Brigades, and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked on ships from Amphibious Task Groups Two and Three, were conducting amphibious exercise Operation Sea Soldier IV, the largest amphibious force assembed since the 1950 landing at Inchon, Republic of South Korea. The exercise was again highly publicized to ensure the Iraqi command understood the Coalition's amphibious capabilities.
As of Dec. 2, 1996, USS Essex, with the 11th MEU embarked, was engaged in Exercise Sea Soldier in the Arabian Gulf.
During the millennium Westpac, the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) was involved in many vital operations and exercises. The Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) consisted of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), USS DENVER (LPD-9), USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD-52) and the Fifteenth Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)). Embarked onboard were Commander, Amphibious Squadron THREE and Staff, Helicopter Support Squadron ELEVEN and Assault Craft Unit FIVE. The first mission was to support peacekeeping and humanitarian operations of the international forces in East Timor. While in the Arabian Gulf, the ARG joined other forces of the Fifth Fleet supporting Operation Southern Watch. The ARG and the 15th MEU(SOC) also participated in multinational exercises Eager Mace in Kuwait, Eastern Maverick in Qatar, and Sea Soldier in Oman.
On 24 January 2000 LPD-9 Denver departed its home port on deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. Denver Was involved in many vital operations and exercises. Denver's first mission was to support peacekeeping and humanitarian operations of the international forces in East Timor. While in the Arabian Gulf Denver joined other forces of the fifth fleet supporting operation Southern Watch. Denver and the 15th MEU also participated in multinational exercises Eager Mace in Kuwait, Eastern Maverick in Quatar, and Sea Soldier in Oman. Denver had the honor of being one of the first amphibious ships to support Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the Arabian Gulf. A mission previously only conducted by destroyers and cruisers. Denver's visit Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) teams boarded five ships in support of United Nations Sanctions against Iraq. Port visits included Darwin, Australia; Phuket, Thailand; Manama, Bahrain; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Doha, Qatar; Jebel Ali, UAE; Muscat, Oman; Penang, Malaysia; and Hong Kong. Denver also qualified 103 personnel as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist during its deployment.
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