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Navy-Marine Corps Forces Operate in Vicinity of Camp Pendleton

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111019-09
10/19/2011

From Expeditionary Strike Group 3 Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The waters off the coast of Camp Pendleton were home to the majority of the U.S. Navy's west coast amphibious fleet Sept. 29.

Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (BOXARG) was returning from a scheduled deployment to the Middle East, Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group was conducting certification exercises and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) was participating in Exercise Dawn Blitz. This collection of ships has not occupied the same water since 2010 and was a great opportunity for the eight ships and more than 8,000 Sailors and Marines involved.

Staff from Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade embarked amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore(LSD 47) to conduct a joint exercise directed by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force called Dawn Blitz.

This exercise was conducted to exercise staff integration between the Navy and Marine Corps team. Both ships participated and interacted with Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group in JTFX while they were off the coast of Camp Pendleton. ESG-3 and 1st MEB commanders saw this as a perfect opportunity to exercise the blue/green team.

Rear Adm. Gerard P. Hueber, ESG-3 commander said this is the, "first at-sea opportunity for Expeditionary Strike Group Three and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade to exercise our Commander Amphibious Task Force and Commander Landing Force command and control responsibilities of the amphibious force. This Blue/Green team assembled off the coast is a testimony to our coordinated efforts and commitment to reestablish our amphibious warfare core competencies at sea."

"Dawn Blitz was a great chance to strengthen the Navy-Marine Corps relationship, and allowed 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade the ability to practice the skills it takes to remain ready to perform amphibious operations anywhere around the globe," said 1st MEB commander, Maj. Gen. Melvin Spiese.

BOXARG consists of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) and amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20). BOXARG, commanded by Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1, Capt. Curtis Shaub, was returning from a Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. BOXARG provided continuous detailed planning and support to combatant commanders, fleet commanders and numerous country teams. They were operating near Camp Pendleton conducting their offload from their deployment.

"I couldn't imagine a more rewarding deployment than the one we're returning from," said Shaub. "Our Sailors and Marines are the finest in the world and I couldn't be more proud of their exploits. They executed a multitude of complex tactical operations across an extremely demanding theater of operations during one of the most challenging times in our world's history."

Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group consisting of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and commanded by Capt. Humberto Quintanilla, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 5 (PHIBRON 5), conducted amphibious assault training during certification exercise (CERTEX) off the coast of Camp Pendleton.

"Our Navy and Marine Corps team plays a critical role in facilitating international maritime security cooperation, said Quintanilla. "Global maritime security can only be achieved through the unity of international and regional maritime integration, awareness, and response initiatives. The safety and economic interests of the United States and our allies and partner nations depend on unimpeded trade across the world's oceans."

The Navy and Marine Corps team is the heart of amphibious operations. Exercising this blue/green team is vital to the nation's security on the high seas.