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Phibron/MEU Integration (PMINT)

Phibron/MEU Integration (PMINT) brings the ARG-MEU team together for the first time during their predeployment work-up cycle. The training gives the Marines a chance to get accustomed to the routine of shipboard life and an opportunity to learn their way around in a new environment. For many Marines, this is the first time they've worked with their sister service at sea. Most sailors, however, have deployed with the Marines several times before. Aside from the standard drills and classes, many Marines aboard the ARG are experiencing life on the sea for the first time is also becoming familiar with the seemingly endless passageways and quarters. The hardest thing is getting used to the small living spaces and the lack of personal space.

The PHIBRON MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) training is designed for the BLT, MSSG, MEU Command Element, ACE, and Navy personnel. PMINT takes place aboard the ARG ships. The overall focus is to facilitate integration of the Blue/Green team through staff planning exercises and an amphibious landing exercise. Throughout these exercises the Navy and Marine Corps developed an appreciation for what each service has to do in order to accomplish their respective tasks/missions. An additional benefit is to prepare the Marines for shipboard life and to get them familiar with embarkation/debarkation procedures.

In late 1996 USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit for an amphibious squadron/Marine expeditionary unit integration training (PMINT) exercise. This was just the second time a PhibRon and MEU had undertaken this exercise that prepares the two commands to work as a single, unified team during their upcoming deployment. The first PMINT was conducted by USS Nassau (LHA-4) and the 26th MEU. The Norfolk-based, multipurpose amphibious assault ship spent the first full day bringing Marines and their equipment on board and conducted flight and wet-well operations with air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC) and utility landing craft (LCUs) for about half of the underway portion of the exercise.

Drills like this are the name of the game during Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) -Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training or PMINT for short. Taking place off the North Carolina coast from September 25 to the October 2, 2000, this was the opportunity for the Marines of the 22D MEU to become familiar with the workings and the confines of the USS WASP Amphibious Ready Group and life aboard its mighty warships, including USS OAK HILL and USS TRENTON.

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in a week-long exercise 4-10 May 2001, called PMINT (Phibron/MEU Integration), in which they got familiar with the ship and members of Amphibious Squadron 8 with whom they will deploy later in the year. The training took place off the coast of North Carolina, near Onslow Beach.