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Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group Begins PMINT

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111029-04
10/29/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lauren G. Randall, USS Iwo Jima Public Affairs

IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8 and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Naval Station Norfolk to begin PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) Oct. 24.

PMINT is the first integrated training between the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) comprised of approximately 1,700 Sailors from amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), and approximately 2,200 Marines from the 24th MEU.

"This integration underway period is important because it is the first time the ARG gets underway with our deploying MEU," said Cmdr. Scott Noe, Iwo Jima operations officer. "It allows us to get to know each other's capabilities and how we operate on a daily basis which allows the entire ARG to mesh and be able to respond to any tasking thrown our way on a moment's notice as one team."

PMINT is comprised of three phases and is typically about two weeks of training exercises.

The first phase is embarkation. Sailors and Marines work together to safely embark the 24th MEU including all of the aircraft, vehicles, gear and personnel throughout the three ships within the ARG.

"This is a great time to get to know the Marines that are aboard," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Colleen Lozano, a Gunston Hall Sailor. "It's really interesting to see how we differ and the things that we do the same."

Conducting integrated training is the second and longest phase. PMINT includes a series of air defense exercises, surface gunnery, communication scenarios, boarding exercises, planning, co-mingling standard operating procedures and testing gear.

"This is an excellent opportunity to flex all the academic training we've had about amphibious ops," said Lt. Cmdr. Rosie Goscinski, PHIBRON 8 Operations Officer. "PMINT allows you the opportunity for rehearsal and will allow you to become three steps ahead of the process when you already know each other and have already worked together."

During the last phase of PMINT, debarkation, there will be a simulated hostile fire exercise when the Marines arrive ashore. During the exercise the ships aid the debarked Marines with simulated naval surface fire exercises.

"This is the opportunity for all the units working together for the first time to work together in a complex operational environment in preparation to being forward deployed in a potentially hostile environment," said Goscinski. "You practice working together and know each other's strengths. It's always better to train how we fight."

Upon the completion of PMINT, the Iwo Jima ARG will continue with its remaining exercises in preparations to deploy more effectively in spring 2012.