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MEU Exercise II intensifies training for upcoming deployment

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 3/24/2004

Story by Sgt. S. K. D'Alessio

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (March 19, 2004) -- The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) recently completed MEU Exercise II (MEUEX), moving a step closer to reaching its Special Operations Capable (SOC) certification.

With the Combat Operations Center located ashore vice aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2), the MEU Command Element was able to obtain a common operational picture of the entire MEUEX II scenario up-close to the action.

The MEU conducted mission planning and execution while using the Rapid Response Planning Process (R2P2) to further facilitate full integration as a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and to improve overall proficiency in the planning and execution of MEU (SOC) missions.

Understanding the team concept was imperative, as the MEU's overall success was dependent upon the MEU Subordinate Elements' (MSE) ability to work closely together. As different elements of the MEU rotate in and out of the unit as a part of the Unit Deployment Program, a big challenge is fusing each element into one cohesive unit that can perform special operations tasks anywhere.

The bi-annual exercise is the third of four major training evolutions the MEU will undergo in preparation for Special Operations Capable Exercise 04-1 (SOCEX). The scenarios focused on SOCEX mission profiles in day and night environments, ensuring that the basics of MAGTF missions are fully understood by all ranks and practiced in a safe training environment.

MEUEX is designed to expose our Marines to every potential mission they may see during a SOC qualification exercise. As separate units, each MEU element works hard to ensure it is ready to fulfill its role. Interoperability between the MEU's major subordinate elements (MSE) is the key to simultaneously executing multiple missions, according to Capt. Nathan M. Miller, MEU Command Element assistant air officer and action officer for the exercise.

"With all of the MEU's units operating from different locations ashore, planners were faced with some timing and location issues," said Miller. "These were successfully managed through the ACE planners arriving via helicopters and MSSG providing transportation as required to get planners into one location.

"Perhaps the most notable and significant event during MEUEX R2P2 was the augmentation of Command Element representatives from the MEU's Command Element. As direct representatives of the commanding officer, these subject matter experts, for their respective MOSs, helped the planners of the airfield seizure."

MEUEX II combined a multitude of training evolutions, ranging from boat landings, helicopter-borne operations and operational ground maneuvers. The MEU carried out a full range of MAGTF mission profiles to include a non-combatant evacuation operation; a visit, board, search and seizure; flight operations; tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, a mechanized raid and an amphibious boat raid on simulated enemy training sites.

Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force's Special Operations Training Group administered the training package for each event during the MEU Exercises. In addition to serving as site controllers and evaluators of the training, these Marines focused on the MEU's ability to carry out mission profiles as a MAGTF during day and night operations.

The MEU's training follows the crawl-walk-run method. Upon successfully completing the crawl and walk stages during this exercise, the unit is now ready to set to sea with all that it has learned and practiced during its land-based exercises. It will do this during Amphibious Ready Group Exercise (ARGEX), its next major training exercise.

"This cycle's ACE and MSSG will be building upon the working relationship that developed from last cycle's workups and deployment," said Miller. "Procedures have been fine-tuned and these two Main Support Elements are working well together. Although never attached to the 31st MEU, BLT 2/3 (Battalion Landing Team 2nd Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment) quickly grasped lessons learned from both TRUEX and MEUEX. Their fighting force has truly enhanced the capabilities of the 31st MEU."