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    22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Completes Composite Training Unit Exercise

    22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Completes Composite Training Unit Exercise

    Photo By Sgt. Theodore Ritchie | An MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine...... read more read more

    CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

    02.15.2009

    Story by Staff Sgt. Matt Epright 

    22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

    MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Aircraft, hovercraft and amphibious assault vehicles pour ashore at three objectives. Their cargo is deadly, combat-ready American Marines. It's the enemy's darkest nightmare.

    The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted an amphibious assault on the shores of Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 15, as the culminating event of Composite Training Unit Exercise.

    COMPTUEX is part of the 22nd MEU's pre-deployment training program and tests the MEU's ability to perform missions as a cohesive fighting force, fully integrating its Ground Combat, Aviation Combat and Logistics Combat Elements.

    In addition to the internal coordination, the MEU also works with the Bataan Strike Group, a creating a Navy/Marine Corps team that brings extreme flexibility, multiple-mission capability and a force to be reckoned with whether a threat comes from air, land or sea.

    "The coordination and collaboration was a clear demonstration of how we will succeed with teamwork," said Commander Strike Force Training Group Atlantic, Rear Adm. Garry White. "The team was able to successfully complete the mission by employing all of their training and resources."

    Strike Force Training Group Atlantic certifies Navy Strike Groups like the Bataan Strike Group for deployments.

    Special Operations Training Group, the organization responsible for certifying MEUs for deployment, designed numerous scenarios to test the MEU's capability to perform some of its core missions from the ships.

    "The MEU successfully completed all short notice missions, including embassy reinforcement, non-combatant evacuation operations, a long-range raid to Fort Jackson, S.C., and mass-casualty and humanitarian-assistance missions," said Lt. Col. Michael Starling, the SOTG operations officer. "Concurrent with these missions, the MEU also deliberately planned an amphibious assault, a first in several years."

    Marines from other units in 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force helped train the elements of 22nd MEU that operated ashore during COMPTUEX.

    "There were over 80 role players from various elements of the MEF involved in supporting the COMPTUEX," said Starling, a native of Cape Carteret, N.C. "They played roles of U.S. non-combatant evacuees, angry protestors, armed aggressors, high value
    individuals and detainees. The role players did a great job adding realism and tactical challenges to the smallest levels of the exercise force."

    The French Command and Projection Ship FS Tonnerre joined the Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU and Bataan Strike Group for the exercise, hosting Marines and their equipment.

    "The ability to operate as a coalition is increasingly important," said White. "We will be most effective when we operate with the forces of other Nations, building on the trust and experience that comes from training and routinely operating together as allies."

    The 22nd MEU is a scalable, multipurpose force of more than 2,200 Marines and sailors. Commanded by Col. Gareth F. Brandl, it consists of its Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its Command Element.

    The 22nd MEU is currently conducting pre-deployment training and is scheduled to deploy this spring. For more information about the 22nd MEU, visit the unit's website at www.22meu.usmc.mil.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.15.2009
    Date Posted: 03.02.2009 16:42
    Story ID: 30644
    Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US

    Web Views: 202
    Downloads: 169

    PUBLIC DOMAIN