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Forward Deployed ARG to Conduct Blue-Green Workups

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060125-05
Release Date: 1/25/2006 12:02:00 PM

From Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- The Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) departed Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 21 for Blue-Green Workups and ARG Exercise (ARGEX) after embarking Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

The exercises are designed to prepare ARG Sailors and MEU Marines to carry out missions in support of theater contingencies, from humanitarian and disaster relief to full combat operations. During the training, Sailors and Marines will maximize their ability to work together during a series of exercises that will test their teamwork and abilty to respond to a varitey of contencies.

Participating ships include USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Juneau (LPD 10) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), as well as the 31st MEU, whose 1,900 Marines are spread over the three ships.

“There is no more cohesive Blue-Green team than the PHIBRON (Amphibious Squadron) 11/31st MEU team.” said Capt. Mark E. Donahue, commodore, PHIBRON 11, the Task Group Commander of the Forward Deployed ARG, based out of Sasebo, Japan. “Through our longstanding partnership, strengthened during countless exercises and operations, we have come to understand and appreciate the unique capabilities that each Marine and Sailor brings to the fight. This exercise is a vital part of the continuum of training that is necessary to maintain the combat readiness of the FDNF Blue-Green team.”

The forward deployed blue-green team last united in October 2005, during the ARG’s 7-week fall deployment, operating together in Amphibious Landing Exercise 06.

During the current exercise, the Navy/Marine Corps team will conduct ship-to-shore movement using a variety of amphibious assets. These assets include Amphibious Assault Vehicles, Combat Rubber Raiding Craft, Utility Landing Craft and Air Cushion Landing Craft. Marine aircraft will also be utilized as integral parts of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Embarked aircraft are from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), the Air Combat Element of the 31st MEU. Aircraft flown by the squadron include the CH-46E Sea Knight, CH-53E Super Stallion, AH-1W Cobra, UH-1N Huey, and AV-8B Harrier II.

“It is always great to embark the ships of [the Forward Deployed Naval Forces] ARG, which have become our second home,” said Col. Lee Miller, commanding officer of the 31st MEU. “During the exercise that lies ahead we will hone our skills to ensure that together we can respond to whatever contingency may arise.”

The Forward Deployed ARG is part of Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force, which is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.