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Multimission-Capable Navy-Marine Corps Team Trains for Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090715-28
Release Date: 7/15/2009 9:56:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Joseph Seavey, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 7 Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed its initial integration training off the coast of Southern California July 10.

The amphibious Squadron/MEU integration (PMINT) training exercise brought Sailors and Marines together at sea in preparation for a scheduled deployment later this year. The integration exercise involved Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious ships USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and USS Cleveland (LPD 7).

"The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team bring an unmatched combination of speed, flexibility and agility to any equation," said Capt. Kevin Couch, commanding officer of Cleveland. "Our efforts during the integration training have strengthened our ties and will allow us to operate more effectively in a variety of theatres and scenarios. Ultimately, our training will produce a reliable and relevant force, ready to meet combatant commanders' requirements around the globe, including sea control, power projection ashore and humanitarian assistance efforts."

Sailors and Marines spent their Fourth of July holiday conducting ship-to-shore movements and running engineering and damage control drills. ARG/MEU personnel also rehearsed tactical combat operations ashore as the ships practiced various maritime security scenarios.

"We're building effective communication skills at the junior and senior levels," said Lt. Col. J.R. Hensien, commanding officer of troops embarked aboard Cleveland.
"These skills culminate in stronger, mission-ready forces."

The drills are used to prepare the ship's crew and Marines for real-life scenarios and missions that they may face while on deployment.

"Looking back, the integration portion and teamwork helped the Marines and Sailors find deficiencies and work toward solving them," said Staff Sgt. Tyrone Gibson, from MEU's aviation intermediate maintenance department embarked aboard Bonhomme Richard. "It has provided us all with a new perspective of how the upcoming deployment will come together."

The ARG/MEU team is scheduled to conduct two additional at-sea training evolutions prior to deployment.

"Multi-ship coordination during PMINT has provided many unique challenges; however the Rushmore team continually comes together to accomplish the mission," said Lt. John Kelly, Rushmore's operations officer. "The evolutions during PMINT have proved to be a rewarding experience."