15th MEU and Peleliu ARG set sail for CERTEX

Photo By Sgt. John Robbart III | A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands on the flight deck of the USS Peleliu, August 15. The 15th MEU is underway for Certification Exercise, its final training before deployment. The MEU already conducted two other at-sea periods that focused on skill sets pertaining to the missions a MEU may face while forward deployed. However, CERTEX is different than previous exercises. Marines and Sailors will not know what to expect and will have to react to scenarios quickly using the Marine Corps’ Rapid Response Planning Process to prepare for the missions the unit will execute.  

USS PELELIU, USAFRICOM, AT SEA

08.16.2012

Story by Cpl. John Robbart III 

15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

USS PELELIU - After more than eight months of rigorous training in preparation for a deployment across the Western Pacific, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, is conducting their final exercise, Certification Exercise, beginning August 15.

The MEU already conducted two other at-sea periods that focused on skill sets pertaining to the missions a MEU may face while forward deployed. However, CERTEX is different than previous exercises. Marines and Sailors will not know what to expect and will have to react to scenarios quickly using the Marine Corps’ Rapid Response Planning Process to prepare for the missions the unit will execute.

“As we enter the final stage of our training cycle, the [15th MEU] and [Peleliu ARG] are fully prepared to respond as America’s 911-force in readiness,” said Col. Scott D. Campbell, commanding officer, 15th MEU. “The training up to this point has been realistic, purposeful and very demanding on our Marines and Sailors. They have proven themselves time and again, and they are ready to complete the certification process and move forward to answer our nation’s call.”

The two-week evolution will also be the final iteration the blue-green team will conduct together before their deployment this fall. Over the past few months, Peleliu ARG and the 15th MEU have formed a cohesive unit capable of mission planning within a constrained six hour requirement.

“The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group has rigorously trained for the many missions that we could face on deployment,” said Capt. Mark Sakaguchi, commander, Amphibious Squadron Three. “The partnership and skills our blue-green team have developed ensure the Peleliu ARG and 15th MEU are ready to operate forward over a wide range of military operations.”

In addition to an unknown training schedule, the MEU staff will also be accompanied by counterparts from other MEUs. They will evaluate the 15th MEU’s capabilities and prepare for future deployments by observing their counterparts in action.

The CERTEX qualifies the MEU to deploy, and it’s also another chance for the Marines and Sailors to get more repetitions of training before conducting actual missions.

“Repetitions equal proficiency,” said Campbell. “The more opportunities we have to practice what we do, the more it will make us a stronger, more formidable force.”

By the end of CERTEX, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, is expected to give the approval for the 15th MEU to conduct its deployment to the Western Pacific.

The 15th MEU is embarked on the Peleliu ARG, which consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47).

• Date Taken: 08.16.2012
• Date Posted: 08.16.2012 16:49
• Story ID: 93356
• Location: USS PELELIU, USAFRICOM, AT SEA