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26th MEU vies for title

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 200521655029
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Mark E. Bradley

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE (Feb. 16, 2005) -- After nearly six months of training, it all comes down to this - a 10-day exercise where the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will have the opportunity to prove its metal and assume the role of America’s "force in readiness."

The last Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), Ashland (LSD-48) and Ponce (LPD-15) today as the unit began its Certification Exercise (CERTEX).

Over the coming days, evaluators from II Marine Expeditionary Force will grade the MEU’s ability to plan and execute concurrent specialized operations ranging from humanitarian to combat missions. If the MEU is successful, the unit will receive its “Special Operations Capable” certification before deploying in support of Global War on Terror next month.

The scenario and events to be used for the training exercise will be similar to the MEU’s recent Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise where the Kearsarge ESG provided assistance in a foreign region wrought with internal fighting and active terrorist cells. The MEU and the Kearsarge Strike Group will be called to demonstrate again the flexibility and war-fighting capabilities this Navy and Marine Corps team has developed throughout the pre-deployment training cycle.

There are two primary purposes for the exercise explained the 26th MEU executive officer Lt. Col. James R. Brown III. “First, it allows critical eyes to look at the MEU in our entirety and the Strike Group in its entirety to provide us our certification prior to deployment,” he said. “It also gives us one more opportunity to exercise our [combat] capabilities across the board without knowing where our targets will be.”

Marines and Sailors stayed busy here throughout the day today loading the ships by air and sea. As one Marine waited on the beach for his Landing Craft, Air-Cushioned (LCAC) ride, he appeared eager to do well in this exercise and enjoy some well-earned leave prior to deployment.

“I think we’re be ready. This exercise is the final installment of six months of workups, which is always something to look forward to,” said Sgt. Ben S. Smith, from Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Bn. 8th Marine Regiment. “If we ace this, we’ll be able to come back, go on leave and then be ready to do it for real if we are called to.”

Just what the 26th MEU will be called to do once deployed to the European and Central Command areas of responsibility remains to be seen. However, unit leaders here are confident this exercise will prove the MEU is fully prepared to accomplish any mission assigned.