New York offload Marines to Djibouti

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Trejo | 150506-N-XG464-185 DJIBOUTI (May 6, 2015) - Boatswain's Mate Seaman Arnold Green, from Bridgeton, N.J., assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4, directs Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 27 during the on offloading of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21). New York is a part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan B. Trejo/Released)  

DJIBOUTI

05.05.2015

Courtesy Story

USS NEW YORK (LPD 21)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda E. Cabasos
USS New York (LPD 21) Public Affairs

DJIBOUTI – As dusk approached, the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) offloaded Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in support of a French bilateral exercise, May 5, 2015.

The Marines will remain ashore for approximately three weeks and conduct various exercises with the French Armed Forces.

“The objective of the exercise is to do a cooperative mission between the United States and French forces,” said Senior Chief Quartermaster Jerrod Morgan, from San Antonio, Texas, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4. “Personnel from the 24th MEU and their French counterparts will meet inland, performing live fire exercises, practice convoy training and sustainment operations ashore.”

The landing craft air cushions (LCAC) assigned to ACU 4, transported more than 250 personnel ashore as well as nearly 600 tons of equipment, provisions and vehicles.

“We need to do these exercises to maintain proficiency,” said Lt. Raven Atkins, officer in charge, Naval Beach Group 2, Detachment A. “These exercises are essential training so when it comes time to execute real-world tasking, we are ready to answer the call. The more we train, the more prepared the blue/green team is to get the job done in the most efficient and timely way possible.”

The two-day evolution consisted of 14 vehicle offloads followed by 11 cargo offloads.

Upon the initial LCAC arrival, there is a process that must be followed.

“The Craft Landing Zone Team, assigned to Beach Master Unit (BMU) 2, conducts a beach survey looking for obstructions, grade, beach length and usability,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class RJ Bennett, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida native assigned to BMU 2. “Once the shore is cleared, we set up secured communications to and from the ship and LCACs, as well as setting security zones on the beach.”

During the MEU’s training, ACU 4 performs as the backbone component, supplying the Marines with provisions and equipment as needed.

“We support them by transporting their vehicles, personnel and supplies from the ship to the shore,” said Morgan. “We get them to where they need to be. We ensure that their supplies are stocked, including fuel and ammunition.”

This evolution will mark the MEU’s third offload since Dec. 13, 2014 when the Marines first joined New York for deployment.

New York, part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 24th (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

• Date Taken: 05.05.2015
• Date Posted: 05.13.2015 06:30
• Story ID: 163104
• Location: DJ
• Hometown: FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, US
• Hometown: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US