24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Amphibious Squadron 8 conduct training off Florida coast

Photo By Master Sgt. Chad Kiehl | Staff Sgt. Kevin Groff, a CH-53 helicopter crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron HMH-464, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, watches the horizon after off loading Marines to conduct a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission on the USNS Arctic, Dec. 5. The Marines conducted three simulated EVBSS mission as part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise. The EVBSS training is meant to prepare the Marines and Sailors to board vessels from sea and air. COMPTUEX, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, is the second of three at-sea exercises meant to build cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.  

FL, UNITED STATES

12.06.2011

Story by Capt. Robert Shuford 

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit

OFF THE COAST OF FLORIDA — The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 8 have sailed down the Eastern seaboard from their homestations of Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Norfolk, Va., to conduct a training exercise off the coast of Florida in preparation for their deployment scheduled for early next year.

The Marines are planned to be operating around the Mayport, Fla., area in the coming days as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise – a test of the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to rapidly plan and execute a number of missions based off scenarios they could possibly face once deployed.

The current scenario has the 24th MEU and PHIBRON 8 preparing for a wide variety of missions in a fictional country in the vicinity of Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, Fla. This training mission is similar to the type of real-world operations the 24th MEU and PHIBRON 8 participated in during their last deployment in 2010.

Approximately 2,100 Marines are participating in COMPTUEX and are currently embarked aboard the amphibious assault ships that comprise PHIBRON 8 – USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. The training is scheduled through Dec. 21 and will include a number of exercises including a non-combatant evacuation of personnel; visit, board, search and seizure of maritime vessels at sea; andaviation training for the various aircraft of the 24th MEU. The Marines will conclude the exercise with an amphibious assault and offload back at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

“This training provides the 24th MEU the opportunity to exercise their abilities as a Marine Air Ground Task Force synchronizing the ground, air and logistics elements of its Battalion Landing Team, Aviation Squadron, and Combat Logistics Battalion,” said Col. Frank Donovan, commanding officer, 24th MEU.

“The missions we’re conducting with our Navy counterparts off the Florida coast are complex and the unique opportunity we have to train in Florida, in unfamiliar territory, will better prepare us for what we mayface once deployed,” said Donovan.

While the 24th MEU and PHIBRON 8 are operating in the Jacksonville and Mayport areas, locals may notice increased aviation operations with MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft and CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters. Marines will be on the ground conducting their humanitarian assistance scenario in the vicinity of Naval Station Mayport later this week.

The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and PHIBRON 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, andlimited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

“We appreciate this opportunity to train somewhere new and appreciate the support from the Jacksonville area,” added Donovan.

The training off of Florida is planned to conclude early next week when the 24th MEU and PHIBRON 8 sail north back to the coast of North Carolina.

• Date Taken: 12.06.2011
• Date Posted: 12.06.2011 20:11
• Story ID: 80977
• Location: FL, US