Marine Expeditionary Brigade Exercise (MEBEX)
Assured Alligator
Re-established Nov. 10, 1999, the 2d MEB is a scaleable, task-oriented force that provides a full spectrum of expeditionary combat service and support with anywhere from 4,000 and 16,000 Marines and Sailors. One goal of MEBEX was to test the expeditionary capabilities of 2d MEB's key components. The movement from ship to shore was the most crucial phase. Operational Maneuver from the Sea, a Marine Corps doctrinal publication, states, "Our combat aircraft must be capable of operating from a variety of ships and austere bases ashore, perform a variety of missions, and land on a wide variety of surfaces. Our aviation units must be organized, trained, and employed as integral parts of a naval expeditionary force." MEBEX fulfilled every aspect of this maxim.
With more force and firepower than is usually seen assaulting the beaches of Camp Lejeune, the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, led by Maj. Gen. John F. Goodman, thundered ashore in August 2001, hitting Onslow Beach, practicing their ability to assault a hostile shore as part of Exercise Assured Alligator. The 2d MEB was aboard the four U.S. Navy ships of Amphibious Group-2 (PHIBGRU 2) off the coast of Eastern North Carolina and Virginia as part of their training.
Marine infantry battalions from 8th Marine Regiment, along with 3d Battalion, 10th Marines, were brought to the beach in Marine CH-46 and CH-53 helicopters and on air-cushioned landing craft (LCACs) and utility landing craft (LCUs). To support the more than two thousand troops ashore, the 2d MEB's tanks, armored vehicles, bridges, boats and artillery pieces augmented the substantial Marine presence ashore. With landing zones first pounded by over a hundred rounds of simulated naval gunfire and simulated bombs from 40 real-life Marine jet sorties, the regimental landing force stormed the beach in traditional Marine Corps style. I'm extremely proud of what our Marines and Sailors have demonstrated here today, said Goodman. The MEB clearly demonstrated to our allies, and to our enemies as well, that the MEB is indeed America's premier crisis response force. Teaming with the Navy, we've shown how we decisively employ lethal combined arms from the sea.
The movement from ship to shore was the most crucial phase. The ACE moved with the help of Marine Wing Support Squadron-271, which established an FOB on the two-lane rural road here. The only modification to Lyman Road was the addition of two parking areas off of the road for the aircraft, constructed of expeditionary airfield matting carried by the MEB.
The MEB's amphibious assault included support from the engineers as bridges were built across the Intracoastal Waterway for mechanized troops to cross over. Squadrons from Marine Aircraft Groups 14, 26 and 31 provided the F/A-18 Hornets, AV-8B Harriers, AH-1 Cobras and UH-1 Hueys that supported the assault by dominating the air. The four ships of PHIBGRU-2 include USS Nashville, USS Oak Hill, USS Trenton and USS Wasp as the headquarters ship. The exercise began Aug. 14 when hostilities were declared against the fictitious country of Korona and the rebel forces working against the 'U.S. friendly' government of Kartuna. The 2d MEB, as the Marine forces of a joint task force, were called in to assist the Kartunan government restore order and democracy. The exercise took place in the training areas of Camp Lejeune. Friday's amphibious assault was the first such evolution since the MEB was disbanded in the early 1990s.
In addition to a mechanized infantry assault in a mock-urban training area, the exercise included live artillery fire and aircraft support from both Marine jets and helicopters.
The AV-8B Harrier squadron supported the Ground Combat Element of the MEB from the ship and shore by moving their base of operations from USS Wasp to Lyman Road for the first time during a training exercise. VMA-223's role in the exercise, which was larger than the typically supported Marine Expeditionary Unit exercises, was the attack component of the MEB's Air Combat Element (ACE). Its primary focus was support of the Ground Combat Element (GCE) by flying close air support and reconnaissance missions.
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