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Integration Training Exercise Prepares ESG 1 for Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050422-06
Release Date: 4/22/2005 12:57:00 PM

By Chief Journalist (SW) W. R. Polson, USS Tarawa Public Affairs

ABOARD USS TARAWA, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Tarawa (LHA 1) kicked off a pre-deployment training exercise for Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 1, April 14 off the coast of Southern California.

Embarked aboard Tarawa, ESG 1 led the Navy and Marine Corps units under its command through the first of three training exercises at sea that will prepare them for their upcoming deployment.

The primary focus of this first exercise is to integrate the strike group’s battle staff and its many Navy and Marine Corps units into a cohesive fighting unit, according to ESG 1 Commander Rear Adm. Michael A. LeFever.

“This is a big step towards improving our skills,” said LeFever. “As everyone spends more time working and training together, they’ll quickly improve their ability to become a smoothly functioning team that, in turn, will become a national asset capable of influencing events ashore and in the littoral regions.”

Over the course of the next three months, approximately 5,200 Sailors and Marines attached to 23 units under ESG 1’s command will spend time working together during the three exercises.

“We're making sure that our people are trained and ready for deployment,” said Tarawa crew member Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Herbert Kresge. “Many of them are 18 and 19-year-olds straight out of high school, so this is all new for them. But they’re doing an excellent job, and we’re staying ahead of schedule.”

During the deployment, LeFever will lead a force that includes a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), six surface ships and a submarine. ESG 1 will include more than 3,200 Sailors aboard the Navy vessels and other associated units, and more than 2,000 Marines from the 13th MEU. Meanwhile, with the coast of Southern California in sight, some of these “Devil Dogs” are getting their first experience with life aboard ship.

“This gives us a feeling for what it’s like to be at sea. For a lot of us, it’s our first time,” said Lance Cpl. Christopher Windsor, a Marine attached to the 13th MEU’s Command Element aboard Tarawa. "I’m looking forward to getting a deployment under my belt.”

Col. James K. Lavine commands the 13th MEU, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. The MEU’s major elements include the Command Element, the Ground Combat Element, the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) and the Combat Service Support Element.

Capt. Dennis D. Dubard is Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1, which includes the San Diego-based ships Tarawa, the amphibious transport dock USS Cleveland (LPD 7) and the dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52).

The other surface ships include the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and the guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61), based in Everett, Wash. The guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), which is scheduled to “sea swap” crews with fellow Norfolk, Va.-based guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55), will join up with ESG 1 on deployment. USS Decatur (DDG 73) played the part of Gonzalez during the integration exercise.

By using the latest in military technology, ESG 1 was able to train with its Air Defense Commander and Chosin from Hawaii, which provided a cost-effective way to integrate Chosin’s air defense capabilities into the training scenarios.

“It was totally transparent,” said Lt. Jeff Owens, Chosin’s air warfare officer. “With the data links and voice and chat capabilities, we were able to provide the group with real-time support. We got great training with the ESG without having to go to San Diego.”

During the exercise, ESG 1 sent the Marines of the 13th MEU ashore, performing amphibious assaults supported by naval gunfire and combat air support from the AV-8B Harrier jets and AH-1W Cobra helicopters of the ACE. The group also performed maritime intercept operations and underway replenishments, as well as wrapping up its basic training phase. The group is now into its intermediate training phase, which culminates in its next underway period with the Composite Training Unit Exercise.

“These exercises are a fantastic opportunity for our Sailors and Marines to work together as a team and prepare for what lies ahead,” said LeFever. “With world events constantly changing, we’ll need to be ready and to be focused on whatever may arise.”