DVIDS – News – thirty first MEU conducts built-in coaching alongside Naval Particular Warfare

OKINAWA, Japan (Jan. 31, 2022) – Sparks flew from the whetstone because the battle-ax that’s the thirty first Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) sharpened its deadly edge, conducting built-in coaching on the beachheads and jungle terrain of Okinawa in January.

Because the MEU’s ahead reconnaissance platoon superior on their goal throughout the train, the alternative blade of the identical formidable weapon – a platoon of Navy SEALs assigned to Naval Particular Warfare Group (NSWG) 1 – glinted in shafts of daylight piercing by way of the cover.

They haven’t any names. They haven’t any faces. They transfer exactly and stealthily, leaving no leaf or department misplaced as they conduct vital reconnaissance the Marines can use for expeditionary superior base staging and operations.

“A key side of our rising naval ideas is profitable the reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance battle at each level of the competitors continuum,” mentioned Col. Michael Nakonieczny, commanding officer of the thirty first MEU. “Because the thirty first MEU competes with potential adversaries, we are going to associate with different elite items, akin to these Navy SEALs, to constantly acquire contact under the edge of violence as a way to perceive their baseline actions. If competitors transitions to armed battle, components of the MEU will then persist contained in the weapons engagement zone and exploit our information of the adversary’s baseline as we sense, make sense, and impose price on the enemy through natural and joint fires.”

NSW property folded into the preparations for a motorized raid train, one among a number of capabilities the MEU flexed from the decks of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 ships comprising the America Amphibious Prepared Group (ARG).

“Our capability to quickly assemble our formidable group of Sailors, Marines, ships, plane and touchdown craft on brief discover is what makes us the Indo-Pacific area’s premier disaster response pressure,” mentioned Capt. Greg Baker, PHIBRON 11 Commodore. “We prepare year-round and recertify often to make sure we’re able to battle tonight – to reply the decision not just for U.S. pursuits however for these of our regional allies and companions.”

Mixed with a simulated expeditionary strike from the wings of F-35B Lightning II plane embarked aboard USS America (LHA 6), the motorized raid paved the best way for a follow-on helicopter raid, amphibious assault, and boarding train.

“Even after years of land-based missions, NSW has not forgotten its maritime roots and we’re taking the teachings realized – the best way we mission plan, rehearse and combine with the joint pressure – on the ocean, into the littorals and on the shore to help the fleet and joint pressure for strategic competitors,” mentioned U.S. Navy Capt. David Abernathy, commodore of NSWG-1. “This built-in coaching alternative with the thirty first MEU prepares us to realize, keep, and lengthen entry in contested environments.”

From the air, SEALs fast-roped out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter onto the immense flight deck of PHIBRON 11’s latest participant: USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), a Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base. Through the go to, board, search and seizure (VBSS) train, NSW property and the thirty first MEU’s maritime raid pressure searched Miguel Keith for simulated enemies and illicit cargo, which ensures the ship is protected and seaworthy to show over to partner-nation authorities.

“Miguel Keith began off as a USNS – it was constructed to industrial requirements – so the truth that it has a excessive freeboard, the truth that it appears to be like like a industrial vessel, are completely germane,” mentioned Baker. “As a result of the vessel is so massive, it lends credence to the usage of Miguel Keith as a coaching and goal platform.”

“By means of this coaching we demonstrated the interoperability of naval and particular operations forces which can be postured and ready to realize their aims within the maritime area throughout the competitors continuum,” mentioned Nakonieczny. “Collectively, Navy Particular Warfare and the thirty first MEU will proceed to mix the complementary capabilities of our distinctive forces to make sure stability and, if want be, persist, battle, and win all through the INDOPACOM area.”

The thirty first MEU and PHIBRON 11 are the one constantly forward-deployed MEU-ARG group.

Based mostly in Okinawa, the thirty first MEU consists of a command factor, in addition to floor, air and logistics fight components. Its air fight factor, Marine Medium Titlrotor Squadron (VMM) 265, is bolstered by a detachment of F-35B Lightning II plane from the Iwakuni, Japan-based Marine Fighter Assault Squadron (VMFA) 121.

Amphibious Squadron 11 is completely embarked aboard USS America in Sasebo, Japan. The America Amphibious Prepared group contains USS Inexperienced Bay (LPD 20), USS Ashland (LSD 48), and Miguel Keith. Inexperienced Bay and Ashland embark touchdown craft, utility (LCU) and touchdown craft, air cushion (LCAC) from Naval Seaside Unit (NBU) 7.

Collectively, the thirty first MEU and the ships of PHIBRON 11 are working within the U.S. seventh Fleet space of accountability to boost interoperability with allies and companions, and function a prepared response pressure to defend peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific area.