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PELARG Blue/Green Team Combines for VBSS

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100331-18
Release Date: 3/31/2010 10:37:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David P. McKee

USS DUBUQUE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG) and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed an integrated demonstration of a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) proof-of-concept exercise March 29 that could change the course of Maritime Interdiction Operations.

During the event, the 15th MEU Force Reconnaissance Platoon and VBSS members from Dubuque executed a level-three opposed boarding of a mock cargo vessel taken by pirates off the coast of Southern California.

The intent of the exercise was to rehearse detailed planning and execution of a primary maritime capability, as well as demonstrate to flag-level leaders the effectiveness of combined Navy and Marine Corps VBSS forces against a non-compliant vessel.

"This exercise has been very successful," said Commander U.S. 3rd Fleet Vice Adm. Richard W. Hunt. "This will provide additional VBSS capability for our maritime forces in the future."

The Navy and Marine Corps bring two different skill sets to VBSS operations. Marines are trained to neutralize a hostile enemy with extreme force and the Navy is trained to board the vessel, take control of the bridge and engineering spaces, install a new commander and pilot the vessel to a U.S. friendly port.

In previous exercises, Marines boarded the target vessel by fast-roping to the deck. In this exercise Marines used an 11-meter Navy Special Warfare rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to get to the ship, an example of integration.

"We want to maximize the unique capability that each service provides," Hunt said.

Hunt, along with Commanding General, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford and Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3 Rear Adm. Earl L. Gay, observed the opposed boarding and provided feedback to the leadership of the PEL ARG.

"Level three was a huge success," said Dubuque commanding officer, Capt. Christopher E. Bolt. "We basically all agreed this seems like a very complex mission to an outsider, but it's just combining all our standard skill sets and executing well."

VBSS was one of many training evolutions conducted underway during the PEL ARG Combined Unit Training Exercise. The PEL ARG is led by the command element, Amphibious Squadron 3, and consists of amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock USS Dubuque (LPD 8), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52).