Forward Deployed ARG Completes Spring Patrol 2006
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060619-10
Release Date: 6/19/2006 12:03:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs
SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- The flagship of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (FD-ARG) returned to its home port of Sasebo, Japan, June 13, joining the other two FD-ARG ships and officially concluding its five-month training cycle known as Spring Patrol.
The Forward Deployed ARG, consisting of flagship USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Juneau (LPD 10) made the journey to Sasebo after completing the U.S./Thai-led exercise Cobra Gold 2006.
As part of Spring Patrol 2006, which began when the FD-ARG ships departed Sasebo Jan. 10, Amphibious Ready Group Sailors conducted four exercises in three different nations and one U.S. territory.
"Every Sailor and Marine should feel an incredible sense of accomplishment in the absolute breadth of achievement that was done throughout East and Southeast Asia," said Capt. Mark E. Donahue, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, and the task group commander for the Forward Deployed ARG. "The Spring Patrol's emphasis is on training and fostering bilateral relationships. We not only met those goals but exceeded them, by also contributing to the wellbeing of this region.
"Overall, I think these Sailors and Marines should feel very proud," he added. "They have done their part in ensuring peace and stability in the region."
Spring Patrol exercises included Training in an Urban Environment (TRUEX); Balikatan; Reception, Staging, Onward-movement and Integration (RSOI)/Foal Eagle and Cobra Gold, held in Guam, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea (ROK) and Kingdom of Thailand, respectively. While in the Philippines in February for Balikatan, ships of the ARG, Essex and Harpers Ferry completed humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR) operations for victims of a mudslide in Southern Leyte island.
Throughout the bilaterally-focused exercises, the FD-ARG served as the sea-based platform for a number of amphibious operations. The FD-ARG effectively teamed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable (SOC)) to launch Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) and Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) for a series of simulated amphibious raids. Helicopter Medium Support Squadron (HMM) 262 (Reinforced) was embarked on Essex and conducted similar aerial assaults at times, while also being a vital asset in HA/DR when needed in the Philippines.
The focus of each bilateral exercise was on building stronger military relations with nations in East and Southeast Asia in order to work towards ensuring a greater peace and stability in the region. Forces from the Philippines, ROK and Thailand worked side by side with U.S. service members to conduct operations.
Senior leaders of the FD-ARG felt the training cycle embodied "balikatan," which means "shouldering the load together."
This message of shouldering the load together was best exemplified in the Philippine-led exercise of the same name, where combined training suddenly turned to real-world operations when a mudslide virtually covered a small fishing village in Southern Leyte. Using its ship-to-shore capabilities - the staple of the FD-ARG - relief supplies and essential personnel were moved ashore. On the ground, Marines of the 31st MEU worked with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel to transport those supplies and help in the rescue efforts for mudslide survivors.
Likewise, in the actual exercise Balikatan, U.S. Navy and Army medical personnel worked alongside AFP medical personnel to treat more than 11,000 Filipino patients on the island of Jolo, Philippines.
"My sincerest thanks to my medical counterparts from the United States," said Lt. Col. Yashinda R. Apolinar, part of the medical corps of the Philippine air force in Pasay City, after one of the MEDCAPs, as relayed to one of the senior U.S. medical officers. "It was an honor to serve next to them in serving my countrymen."
In between training, there was also time for bonding, as embarked personnel from involved nations shared cultural lessons with U.S. Sailors and Marines. On the mess decks and wardroom during RSOI/Foal Eagle, ROK Marines shared Korean delicacies including noodles and kimchi with their American counterparts. Both sides said they truly felt that the pursuit of peace was in the spirit of one team, one fight.
"When I first came on board Essex and saw the medical operating rooms, one of the American medical officers said that if there was a casualty, that person would receive treatment regardless of whether he was Korean or American," said ROK navy medical officer Lt. j.g. Jin-Hyuk Jeon at the time of the exercise, through a translator. "That really made me realize that we are one team. There was no distinction between us and them."
Each exercise was also accompanied by numerous community service projects put on by each ship and the 31st MEU. Projects were done at elementary schools and homes for underprivileged youth, the elderly and the disabled in Guam and in all three countries that hosted exercises.
During the projects, Sailors gave their time and their hearts, not only completing important work at the various places, but also interacting with the people. The children of these countries especially seemed to take a liking to FD-ARG Sailors.
"I enjoy being here. I love the feeling you get when you look into the children's eyes when they see we are here for them," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Dennis Boyle, of Essex, after a community service project at the Sun Rin Ae Yuk Won Orphanage in Pohang, ROK, as part of RSOI/Foal Eagle.
This year's Cobra Gold was a prime example of the helping hand Sailors and Marines could lend to the community. The exercise featured overwhelming support from the U.S. Navy, said Peter Thorand, charter president of the Rotary Club of Taksin Pattaya, who set up several community service projects for Sailors to participate in during their port visit to Pattaya Beach after the exercise.
At one of the Cobra Gold projects that took place at a local elementary school in Rayong, Sailors from all three ships and Marines from the 31st MEU - nearly 100 service members in all - helped paint four classrooms. The participants also donated clothes, school supplies and even computers that had been gathered from shipboard personnel and the Sasebo community. At the end of that project, Sailors and Marines enjoyed a traditional Thai lunch and watched a special performance by the children.
Such contributions and interactions are what have made this year's Spring Patrol so meaningful, said Donahue.
"These Sailors and Marines and their international counterparts have quite a bit of memories from this expansive patrol," said Donahue. "The memories gained were inspired by moments of personal and authentic interactions. Those memories and the bonds that were the result of the experiences will last for a long time to come."
Task Force 76 is the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.
For more information on CTF 76, visit www.ctf76.navy.mil.
For related news, visit the Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
