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Tarawa Participates in Bright Star 2005

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS051004-04
Release Date: 10/4/2005 4:00:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class David Perea, USS Tarawa Public Affairs

MUBARAK MILITARY CITY, Egypt (NNS) -- USS Tarawa (LHA 1), along with 16,000 boots on the ground, several ships at sea and the flags of 12 nations flying over Egypt, operated off the coast of Egypt for exercise Bright Star 2005 Sept. 10-Oct. 3.

The largest coalition exercise conducted by U.S. Central Command, Bright Star 2005 is designed to strengthen regional stability and improve inter-military cooperation, as well as cooperation among participating nations.

"It's important to demonstrate cooperation in this part of the world and the ability to fight when we have to," said Gen. John Abizaid, commander, U.S. Central Command.

Tarawa, the Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 1 flagship, participated by projecting its assets on land, at sea and in the air during the operation Sept. 10-28.

Embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship, the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC), worked closely with U.S. and other participating nations’ ground forces in and around Mubarak Military City conducting training exercises, as well as an amphibious landing demonstration.

Tarawa’s deck department played a major role in executing precision well deck operations for the embarked Utility Landing Craft (LCU), assaulting a soft sandy beach during the opening phase of the exercise Sept. 15.

“If it wasn't for us (Deck Dept.) launching and bringing in the LCUs, the mission wouldn’t get done, so I think every one of us plays an important role,” said Seaman Jennifer Barksdale, who assisted in launching the LCUs.

Warriors from the 13th MEU (SOC), alongside Egyptian, Greek and Jordanian amphibious landing forces, demonstrated their skills while being observed by coalition commanders and honored guests, including the Egyptian Minister of Defense.

“Today was a clear demonstration of the power ESG 1 can bring to the table,” Rear Adm. Michael LeFever, commander, ESG 1 said in reference to the amphibious landing demonstration.

While the multinational ground forces train and acquaint each other with tactics and equipment to improve international military cooperation for the region, ships from ESG 1 trained with coalition maritime forces to protect the sea lanes and secure the safety of international waters. In addition, ESG 1 is also training to engage international terrorists as it conducted Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) events, which were intended to detect, deter and deny international terrorist organizations use of the maritime environment.

Along with the United States, other participating countries included, France Germany, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

“For the participant, Bright Star provides a good opportunity to get acquainted with each other’s equipment, tactics and training,” said Egyptian Maj. Gen. Ahmed Mokhtar, chief of Egypt’s armed forces exercise authority.

The six-ship strike group, based on the west coast includes the amphibious assault ship Tarawa, the amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7), the dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65), the fast-attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) and the frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61).