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OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) returned safely to Okinawa, Japan, after successfully completing Blue Chromite 2017 (BC17), Nov. 4.
Blue Chromite is a joint field training exercise involving the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, Army and Air Force team from Oct. 29 – Nov. 4 in and around Okinawa, Japan, and the central, northern and Ie Shima training areas. In its third iteration, BC17 is a regimental-led exercise oriented on amphibious and aerial assaults designed to evaluate forward deployed battalions and squadrons while maximizing the number of Marine Corps units conducting operations alongside and fully integrated with naval forces.
The units that participated in BC17 included two Marine Corps infantry battalions with 3rd Marine Division, two Marine Corps air groups with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Green Bay and USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4).
This was the first year Green Bay participated in the annual U.S. Marine-led exercise designed to evaluate various air and ground unit deployment programs and to integrate adjacent air and logistics combat elements. The operations were a combined effort between Green Bay and more than 500 Marines assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment attached to the 3rd Marine Division.
“The Marines came to us after planning for one year for this particular exercise with enthusiasm and passion,” said Capt. Nathan Moyer, Green Bay’s commanding officer. “To be at sea, exercising in an arduous at-sea environment, with a full range of combat capability behind them, was completely awe-inspiring. To perform at such a high level throughout the week despite heavy weather, further instilled that sense of excitement in the Marines.”
After completing the Marine onload, Green Bay invited Maj. Gen. Richard L. Simcock II, commanding officer of 3rd Marine Division, to speak with the Sailors and Marines before officially kicking off BC17. During his remarks, Simcock addressed the importance of blue-green integration and the strategic role it plays in the dynamic region.
“Everyone, look around you,” said Simcock. “This right here, Marines and Sailors working together; this feels right. This is what the blue-green team is all about.”
After departing Okinawa Oct. 30, with all personnel and gear onboard, the evolutions began with a series of aviation operations. MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted underway launch and recoveries on the ship's flight deck in order to maintain proficiency and training. Various flight operations were conducted such as carrying Humvees off the flight deck, aerial assault landings, and passenger transfers.
After flight operations were conducted, BC17’s primary training objective of amphibious assault was executed, in and out of Green Bay’s well deck. Green Bay served as the launch ship for the assault, disembarking the Marines and their equipment via amphibious assault vehicles (AAV), combat rubber raid crafts (CRRC), and landing craft air cushion (LCAC) 9 and landing craft utility (LCU) 1634, assigned to Naval Beach Unit 7.
With all the air and sea operations that took place, BC17 tested the Marine Corps’ fundamental expeditionary competencies to embark on amphibious ships in order to launch ashore. The exercise allowed forward-deployed Marines to integrate and practice amphibious operations as part of a robust set of response capabilities from a sea base. Green Bay, being that sea base, gave the Marines the flexibility to go where and when needed.
“Green Bay hit this exercise out of the park,” said Moyer. “Our ability to come together quickly and rapidly with the Marines and accomplish what we did in such a short period of time was simply amazing. I was truly impressed with the attitude of all who participated in this exercise. Everyone onboard had a high level of excitement and that truly helped us conduct our full range of combat capabilities in a strategic location such as Okinawa.”
Moyer went on to say that overall, the exercise was a success, illustrating the strength of Navy-Marine Corps expeditionary, amphibious rapid-response capabilities required to swiftly and effectively respond to a regional crisis or contingency situation.
Green Bay is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and is operating in Okinawa in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2016 18:46 |
| Story ID: | 214083 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Green Bay Completes Blue Chromite Exercise, by PO1 Chris Williamson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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