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    31st MEU completes first week of AIT with the USS Ashland

    31st MEU completes first week of AIT with the USS Ashland

    Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class David Cox | NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN (June 12, 2015) - Marines from the 31st Expeditionary Unit (31st...... read more read more

    USS ASHLAND, PACIFIC OCEAN

    06.19.2015

    Courtesy Story

    Amphibious Squadron 11

    By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class David A. Cox
    Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs

    USS ASHLAND, North Pacific Ocean – The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), embarked aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship the USS Ashland (LSD-48), has successfully completed their first week of exercises.

    Sailors and Marines have been conducting amphibious exercises that reinforce combat readiness and interoperability amongst the two military branches.

    “Ashland is underway for amphibious integration training prior to participating in bi-lateral exercises later this summer,” said Cmdr. Daniel P. Duhan, commanding officer of the Ashland. “It is important to conduct this training for both the Sailors and Marines because of the amount of new personnel we have and also because of the complexity of the missions that we support.”

    Amphibious operations are a dynamic team sport, requiring a lot of practice and close coordination. Both Marines and Sailors have completed training in launch and recovery of several types of amphibious vehicles: Amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs), landing craft air cushions (LCACs) and combat rubber raiding crafts (CRRCs).

    “I expect the Navy and Marine Corps team to build on their already world-renown relationship,” said Duhan. “We will be ready to operate as a cohesive unit in the upcoming exercises with our partners in the Pacific.”

    Cpl. Karson Kauffroath, from the 31st MEU, says he is excited to be working with the Australian military in upcoming exercises.

    “I’m really excited, because one, they speak English so there is no language barrier, they’re also very modernized and their ranges are top-notch, and getting to see Australia in general, I think will be good for the team.”

    Ashland is homeported in Sasebo, Japan, and is a part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, comprised of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), USS Preble (DDG 88) and the embarked 31st MEU.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.19.2015
    Date Posted: 06.19.2015 12:24
    Story ID: 167311
    Location: USS ASHLAND, PACIFIC OCEAN

    Web Views: 161
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN