15th MEU tests amphibious skills during first at-sea period (+ Pics)

15th MEU tests amphibious skills during first at-sea period
Submitted by: 15th MEU
Story Identification #: 2004930141915
Story by Lance Cpl. Scott L. Eberle

ABOARD THE USS BONHOMME RICHARD (Sept. 25, 2004) -- The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, USS Rushmore, and the USS Duluth, recently put their amphibious skills to the test during their first at-sea period, Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise.

Deep into their workup cycle, this exercise is the first time this year the entire 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked ships and headed out to sea in preparation for their upcoming six-month deployment.

“This is the first time that the 15th MEU came together as a whole with the Navy, and operated the same way they will be doing in a real-world deployment,” said Staff Sgt. Sidney R. Young, operations chief for the 15th MEU. “During this exercise everyone is learning exactly how to operate as an Expeditionary Strike Group.”

During this operation, the Navy and Marines combined forces to complete a number of training exercises they will possibly face during deployment. Some missions conducted were; Humanitarian Assistance Operations, Non-combatant Evacuation Operations, Visit Board Search and Seizure, mechanized raids, boat raids, helicopter raids, and direct-action raids.

“Our planning is much more [intense] since we don’t have as many of our assets available to us on ship,” according to Capt. John South, 31, the assistant operations officer for the 15th MEU’s Battalion Landing Team 1/1. “Although being on the ship restricts us due to lack of space, it is also our biggest benefit in that we have the Navy and all the other MEU elements working so close to us.”

Materials that are commonly found in a field environment were often lacking on ship, forcing Marines to improvise. “When Marines make terrain models, they usually use sand, but since there is no sand on ship, the Marines build the models out of cardboard or any materials they can find,” said South.

The Aviation Combat Element also had to make adjustments to move their operations from an air station to a ship. “It’s a lot more difficult working on ship because we are no longer operating by ourselves; we have to coordinate with the Navy now to complete all of our missions,” according to Sgt. Anthony M. Bacon, maintenance controller for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165, the 15th MEU’s ACE.

Instead of working as an independent unit, the squadron had to work with the Navy to coordinate their flight operations with ships work like underway refueling and securing aircraft to the flight deck. “We need the Navy for a lot of stuff and we’ve jumped through a lot of hoops to make sure that we aren’t stepping on anyone’s toes,” said Bacon.

The ACE wasn’t the only element that had to make adjustments when moving their operations aboard ship. “Things are more difficult for the MEU Service Support Group because we don’t have everything at our fingertips like we do when working on Camp Pendleton,” said 1st Lt. Justin Jordan, 26, an operations officer for MSSG-15. “Overall, our most difficult challenge is having all of our assets split between three different ships.”

There was a constant array of events aboard the ship during the 10-day training period. MEU Marines and Sailors aboard the Bonhomme Richard conducted a variety of live-fire exercises with weapons ranging from 9mm pistols to 25mm machine guns mounted on ship. Then each afternoon, the flight deck roared to life with the sound of helicopters and Harrier engines while pilots geared up for qualification flights and missions.

For many Marines, it was their first time aboard a ship and living and working conditions were very different from what they were used to on Camp Pendleton. Marines now had to sleep in ship-style racks which are narrow beds stacked four high. Marines and Sailors also had to find the chow line at the right time when there were more than 2,000 service members aboard the ship all heading for the mess deck at the same time.

Other adjustments to the ship included restrictions on personal communication, which was limited to email because no personal cell phones were allowed. “The hardest part for most of the Marines is adjusting and getting used to exactly what they will be doing on ship during the actual deployment,” said Young.

“I’m very pleased with our ability to work together with our Navy companions,” said South. “When we are working for the Navy, and the Navy is working for us, that’s where we make our money.”

Preparation for this exercise began weeks before the Marines actually set foot on the ship with the marking and loading of storage containers that would not just be used for this exercise, but remain on the ship for the entire deployment.

“There have been a couple of snags here and there but we adapted and overcame the problems and I think we’ve done really well so far,” said Jordan.

The 15th MEU will complete two more at-sea periods are scheduled for the 15th MEU before their deployment. “The follow-up exercises will give us a chance to validate the work we did during the 1st at-sea period,” according to Young. The 15th MEU is scheduled for a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region later this year.

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Photos included with story:

	The sun provides a spotlight through the clouds over downtown San Diego as the USS Bonhomme Richard pulls out of the harbor. The ship was headed to waters off the coast of Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton for an 11-day training exercise during the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's first at-sea period, in preparation for a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region later this year. Photo by: Lance Cpl Scott L. Eberle

	The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Force Recon platoon performs a live-fire exercise on the flight deck during an 11-day at-sea training exercise. The exercise was in preparation for a six-month deployment by the 15th MEU to the Western Pacific region later this year. Photo by: Lance Cpl Scott L. Eberle

	Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit enjoy some time off by watching some college football during their first at-sea period. The 11-day exercise was performed in preparation for a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region later this year. Photo by: Lance Cpl Scott L. Eberle

	A Landing Signal Enlisted Sailor directs a helicopter into the air during the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's first at-sea period. The helicopter, part of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (REIN), was conducting flight qualifications in preparation for the MEU's six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region later this year. Photo by: Lance Cpl Scott L. Eberle

	Scout snipers with Battalion Landing Team 1/1 practice their shooting positions to prepare for an upcoming exercise. Battalion Landing Team 1/1 is participating in the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's first at-sea period, which brings all the elements of the MEU together on ship for the first time. Photo by: Lance Cpl Thomas J. Grove

	A Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) backs out of the USS Bonhomme Richard during the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's first at-sea period. The training exercise was performed to prepare for their six-month deployment by the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Western Pacific region later this year. Photo by: Lance Cpl Scott L. Eberle

	Lance Cpl. Jesse Grenillo, 22, a field wireman and native of Los Banos, stands security while providing a watchful eye to the entry control point during the MEU Service Support Group's Humanitarian Assistance Mission. More than 200 Marines and Sailors provided medical, dental, food, water and shelter for approximately 60 displaced persons in need of assistance. Photo by: Gunnery Sgt. Robert G. Knoll

	Lance Cpl. Zachary Argabrite, 20, a military policeman and native of Denver, searches a role player in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 200 members of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in the HAO in the Duluz training area here. Photo by: Gunnery Sgt. Robert G. Knoll

	During a mass casualty drill, Field Service Corpsmen attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's MEU Service Support Group provide medical attention a Marine with simulated bomb wounds. The 15th MEU, USS Bonhomme Richard, and other units of Expeditionary Strike Group Five are conducting training operations off the coast of California in preparations for their upcoming deployment later this year. Photo by: Photographers Mate Third Class Jenniffer Rivera

	Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Special Purpose Force, debark a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter after completing a Visit Board Search and Seizure exercise. The 15th MEU conducted a VBSS exercise as part of their 1st at sea period, which brings all the elements of the MEU together for the first time. Photo by: Lance Cpl Thomas J. Grove

	Cpl. Vladimir H. Sanchez, a basic hygiene equipment operator with MEU Service Support Group 15, and native of Miami, sets up concertina wire during a non-combatant evacuation operation. MSSG-15 conducted the NEO as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's first at sea period, which brought all the elements of the MEU together on ship for the first time. Photo by: Lance Cpl Thomas J. Grove

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