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CAPEX - Capability Exercise

Marines and Sailors show off their skills to the public during Capabilities Exercise (CAPEX). These CAPEX demonstrations are held quarterly (February, April, July, and October. The CAPEX is variously known as a Capabilities Exercise, Capability Exercise or a Capstone Exercise. The purpose of the CAPEX is to showcase Marine Corps capabilities in a variety of different tactical exercises for the Capstone Officers, a group made up of brigadier generals and general selects from a variety of different services. Also in attendance are congressional representatives and civilian agency representatives who had an interest in the abilities of the Marine Corps. The spectators have ringside seats to demonstrations by jets, helicopters, the recovery of downed pilots, water and beach landings, as well as hostage removal and urban assault demonstrations. Overall, the event is designed to allow personnel of different backgrounds and military occupational specialties to gain a better understanding of the capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Four New River squadrons provided the air combat element for a capabilities exercise (CAPEX) aboard Camp Lejeune 30 April 1999. Among several other units participating in the event, Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron-269 (HML/A-269), Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-263 (HMM-263), Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-461 (HMH-461) and HMM-162, provided the essential air element in approximately seven of the eight CAPEX scenarios.

Maj. Gen. Wayne E. Rollings, Commanding General II Marine Expeditionary Force, kicked off the first exercise on Riseley Fishing Pier aboard Camp Lejeune, where he described the hostile scenario at hand. The island, represented by Onslow Beach, was suffering from wide-spread corruption and narcotic activity. A recent demonstration outside U.S. and British embassies demanded all Americans to leave the island. Marine forces were called on to provide an evacuation of all Americans off the island. Immediately after Rollings finished describing the scenario, two AV-8B Harriers flew over head and began bombing enemy positions on the beach with flares. Just behind the Harriers, two HML/A-269 AH-1W Cobras opened fire onto the beach, making the area secure for a rescue mission. The Cobras stood by for tactical support while three HMM-263 CH-46E helicopters came in for the rescue.

Following the first exercise, the audience was invited to see a demonstration of the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), and the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV-25.) Both vehicles have a multitude of capabilities including fire support and troop transport. These vehicles were used in Desert Storm to transport troops across rugged terrain.

Maj. Gen. Rollings set the stage for the next exercise which involved the tactical recovery of aircraft personnel (TRAP.) The scenario was very similar to the 1995 downing of F-16 pilot Capt. Scott O'Grady in which a TRAP team from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit was sent in to rescue him. In this scenario, however, the rescue mission happened a little more expediently. Just to the side of an open field where the pilot 'crashed', hung a parachute in the tree line. Enemies could be seen surrounding the area, but Marine Intelligence information confirmed the pilot to still be alive. The rescue mission began with two AV-8B Harriers bombing enemy positions with flares and mortars. HML/A-269 AH-1W Cobras then followed the attack with fire support, while HMM-263 CH-46E pilots inserted a rescue team into the area to save the pilot. Once the area was fully secured and the pilot rescued, the CH-46E helicopters returned for the rescue team.

The next rescue mission involved four NASA scientists who were being held hostage by native guerrillas on an island. The demonstration consisted mostly of watercraft capabilities, but also included air support. Two HML/A-269 UH-1N Hueys were sent in prior to the water-borne invasion to secure the area with fire support. "We all understand our own services, but it?s always nice to see other services in action," said Navy Cmdr. Al Bougard, officer of the Joint Warfighting Center Fort Monroe.

Demonstration number five highlighted the capabilities of the CH-53E helicopter. Once again, the scenario took place in enemy lands, where guerrillas destroyed a vital bridge the Marine Corps needed to complete a humanitarian mission. A HMH-461 CH-53 helicopter was then called on to airlift a 6,500 lbs. bridge into the tactical area.

The next demonstration focused on the Harrier and its ability to take off and land in almost any tactical situation. Using one of Lejeune's roads as a runway, the aircraft took to the sky and circled the area. It then used the same strip of road to perform a landing.

The CAPEX came to a close at Camp Lejeune's Military Operation Urban Terrain (MOUT) facility. MOUT is a replica of a small city where Marines train for urban warfare situations. A chemical warfare evacuation drill and a terrorist hostage situation were also demonstrated. The event climaxed when Marines came from the air, sea and ground to secure the terrorist threat. Once the area was secure, an American flag was raised on top of one of the MOUT facility buildings, symbolizing the patriotic values of the Marine Corps.

May and June of 2000 were busy months for all the Marines and Sailors of the Third Battalion, Sixth Marine Regiment. While experiencing the expected post-deployment turnover of personnel, the Battalion participated in and completed a myriad of significant events. First of the these tasks was the Capstone Exercise (CAPEX) which took place during the first week of May. Lima Company provided a platoon of Marines plus an Opposition Force for Module Two, which demonstrated a "Scott O'Grady" style TRAP mission. Lima Company also demonstrated their Riverine capabilities during Module Three. India Company Reinforced executed a full scale MOUT Attack which included simulated Close Air Support (CAS), a Heliborne "Fast Rope" Platoon Minus insert, and Tank and LAV integration. Extensive rehearsals were held on May 1st through the 3rd followed by two days of demonstrations on the 4th and 5th.