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CTF 20 Marks Milestone with Visit to Iwo Jima ARG

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111217-01
12/17/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Heather W. Hines, USS Iwo Jima Public Affairs

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- The commander of Task Force (CTF) 20 visited USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Dec. 6, as the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in composite training unit exercise.

This visit marks a first for Vice Adm. David H. Buss, who assumed command as CTF 20 during the official disestablishment and asset realignment of U.S. 2nd Fleet, Sept. 30.

"This has been a remarkable 24 hours for me on Iwo Jima and I'm overall pleased with the performance of the entire team," Buss said while speaking with key members of the Iwo Jima ARG during the Blue and Green team confirmation brief.

The brief laid out tactical plans for a simulated expanded, visit, board, search and seizure (EVBSS) mission Dec. 7.

Historically, VBSS missions were designed to provide maritime security and counteract illicit low-level, sea-based threat activity. These VBSS teams consisted of Sailors assigned to smaller, surface combatant ships: amphibious, destroyer, frigate and cruisers who were trained to capture enemy vessels; combat terrorism; piracy and smuggling; and conduct customs and safety inspections.

Mirroring that of VBSS, the EVBSS expanded to incorporate Marines embedded within the MEUs on board the larger sized amphibious assault ships, similar to that of Iwo Jima.

The ability to board a vessel - being uncooperative - via air, sea from a top down or bottom up approach is an important part of overall mission readiness, said Rear Adm. Dennis FitzPatrick, commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic.

"It was a very complicated mission setting on board USNS Arctic," said FitzPatrick, as he recalled witnessing the Navy and Marine Corps team board the ship used during the simulated EVBSS. "It was great to watch the team in action and see how they would respond to high-level threats."

"This [was] a great opportunity for me to come out and get back down to the tactical level and see what's going on, as we reintegrate Blue and Green back together," Buss said. "I don't think there is anything more testing or trying than mission EVBSS."

In closing, Buss commended the crew on their achievements thus far. "My hat's off to you and keep up the great work that you're doing out here."

The Iwo Jima ARG, comprised of multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), Amphibious Squadron 8 and 24th MEU, is currently preparing for a scheduled deployment in Spring 2012.