Bataan ARG Completes Amphibious Training Exercise

ATLANTIC OCEAN

12.18.2016

Story by Chief Petty Officer Anastasia McCarroll 

USS Bataan (LHD 5)

The Bataan Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) completed its ARG/Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (ARG/MEUEX), December 19.

ARG/MEUEX is the first event that is officially evaluated by Commander Carrier Strike Group 4.

The exercise provided an opportunity for the Bataan ARG, made up of Commander Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 8, amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), to improve cohesiveness and strategies developed during previous underway periods and training evolutions.

“For ARG/MEUEX, our purpose as the Navy and Marine Corps team is to learn and grow as a single cohesive unit as we combine the Navy and Marine Corps’ capabilities into a powerful fighting force,” said Capt. Eric Pfister, commanding officer of the Bataan.

During the exercise, Sailors and Marines worked together to conduct flight and well deck operations, general quarters drills, simulated raids and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) drills. ARG/MEUEX supports Sailors and Marines in integrating, communicating and operating together effectively.

According to Maj. Will Recalde, technical information operations officer for the 24th MEU, ARG/MEUEX is all about “finding and exercising the unique capabilities that each of us bring to the table to produce a combined naval force uniquely postured to respond across a range of military operations.

The last milestone scheduled for Bataan ARG's deployment workup cycle is Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). The three-week evaluated exercise will demonstrate the Bataan ARG's ability to operate in unison through all its mission areas in preparation for deployment.

• Date Taken: 12.18.2016
• Date Posted: 12.18.2016 10:29
• Story ID: 218076
• Location: ATLANTIC OCEAN