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USS Nashville Participate in 24th MEU TRUEx

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060311-09
Release Date: 3/12/2006 12:01:00 PM

By Lt. Karen E. Eifert, USS Iwo Jima Strike Group Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Twenty Sailors from the USS Nashville (LPD 13) made Marine pre-deployment training more true-to-life by participating in the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (MEU) Training in an Urban Environment exercise (TRUEx) held aboard Norfolk Naval Station from Feb. 27 to March 12.

Answering a 24th MEU call for volunteers, Nashville Sailors role played as insurgents, villagers-turned rioters and casualties as 2,200 Marines from the MEU performed a mock-raid.

“Everything in the scenario was made to appear as real as the Marines would experience it in actual combat,” said USS Nashville Commanding officer Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, who said he was thrilled the Nashville Sailors took time to participate in the MEU training. “This is not just an opportunity for these Sailors to lend their support to the exercise; it’s an opportunity for them to see some of the things these Marines will likely encounter once they deploy.”

The MEU was happy to the have the Sailors assist them in what they consider to be the largest Marine exercise of its kind. TRUEx, performed prior to each MEU deployment, teaches Marines to fight and sustain forces in an urban environment, rehearses command and control tactics, and increases the unit’s ability to access functional support over a dispersed area. The authenticity of TRUEx was further enhanced by the use of live explosives, smoke, small arms weapons, sand-colored homes, Iraqi-speaking actors, actual amputees and hostage taking measures.

“This exercise is very real,” said Marine and TRUEx participant Staff Sgt. Robert Frederick amidst a field of mock-wounded Marines bandaged, bloodied and triaged for care. Some Marines were even moaning in pain, adding an additional layer of authenticity that drew contemplative looks from many who stopped to observe the exercise.

Unlike nearly 50 percent of the MEU, Frederick has deployed to Iraq once before.

“Though you see uninjured Marines tending the wounded here, it’s not at all uncommon to see wounded Marines tending those more severely wounded,” Frederick said.

“I came out here to help because I was asked to,” said 24-year-old USS Nashville Sailor Seaman Rodney A. Powell, who was suffering from a simulated head injury after playing the role of an Iraqi villager turned-casualty. Powell, who hopes to become a hospital corpsman in the future, said he was not turned off any by the blood or any of the other elements that made the exercise so true-to-life due to his prior experience as a civilian emergency medical technician.

“Playing this part gave me a chance to see that the Marines do a lot of what I used to do before I entered the military,” Powell said.

MEU Commander Marine Col. Ron Johnson, who watched each phase of training in the background with a critical eye, said it was no surprise to him the Nashville Sailors came out to support this training evolution.

“Sailor participation at this level once again showed the seamless integration and interoperability between the Navy and Marine Corps,” Johnson said.

The 24th MEU and Nashville are both part of the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Strike Group commanded by Capt. Sinclair Harris and scheduled to deploy this summer in support of the global war on terrorism. Iwo Jima, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), USS Bulkelely (DDG 84), USS Albuquerque (SSN 706), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and USS Cole (DDG 67) also comprise the strike group.