America ARG, 15th MEU Conduct Large Scale Raid

PACIFIC OCEAN, UNITED STATES

05.04.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Jacob Pruitt 

15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

PACIFIC OCEAN – Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, the Ground Combat Element for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted a large-scale vertical and amphibious raid during Composite Training Unit Exercise, May 4, 2017.

The MEU, now on its second at-sea training period is at a critical state in its development and every training mission is handled with a real-world mindset.

Early in the morning, aboard USS America (LHA 6), USS San Diego (LPD 22) and USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) the Marines and Sailors prepared for the assault and liberation of a small town that was being held by an enemy force simulated by fellow Marines.

The Marines of Company C. sprinted from their CH-53E Super Stallions and MV-22B Osprey’s, quickly getting into position and taking up a defensive perimeter while waiting for the remainder of the Marines to arrive at their appointed locations. Concurrently, Marines from Company A. were getting into position on the other side of the island rendering the enemy completely surrounded. Immersed on all sides by rolling hills and steep inclines, the Marines began to move.

“The terrain for this exercise was brutal,” said Sgt. Steven Dowson, a platoon sergeant for Company C. “Between the rocky footing and the cacti at every step the Marines were miserable, but they reached in for that warrior mindset and did what we do best, we pushed through to the objective.”

Company C. was dropped off west of the town separated from enemy forces by rugged terrain, the progress was swift as the Marines tore onto their objective, after a steep incline fighting every step through thick patches of cacti the Marines forged on taking an abandoned trail leading to the top of the island. Once reaching the checkpoint the Marines spread out and moved across the dense, tall plains of a dried wheat field. All anyone could see was the top of the Marines Kevlar’s as they swiftly made their way to the enemy compound.

From a vantage point above the compound, Marines pushed forward while others laid down suppressive fire, kicking in doors and taking down any hostile threat while detaining known enemy forces.

“The key to this mission was timing, we have to be very precise with our order of operations to sync these raids and work together,” said 1st Lt. Clayton Septant, a rifle platoon commander with Company C.

After the planning process, each Marine knew their job perfectly, moving and clearing the enemy compound. As if by instinct the Marines quickly had the compound cleared of hostile threats while taking a high-ranking enemy commander and several enemy combatants in for questioning and processing.

After every building was cleared and quickly searched for all intelligence and information that could be used against the enemy, Company C. took their detainees and rendezvoused at the extraction point awaiting their ride home, the full force of aviation power provided my Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), the MEU’s aviation Combat Element.

“This type of training is important for the MEU because it allows the ACE, GCE and [Combat Logistics Element] to work together and ensure clean, effective mission accomplishment,” said Septant. “Working like a machine, every piece played their part and effectively picked apart the enemy forces’ ability to defend themselves or hold any of their positions.”

The 15th MEU demands proficiency in large-scale operations, such as this one, in order to swiftly penetrate hostile territory to secure detrimental information and cause chaos and confusion for enemy forces, as well as destroy adversary strongholds, access to safe havens, and funding for illicit operations.

• Date Taken: 05.04.2017
• Date Posted: 05.07.2017 20:53
• Story ID: 232863
• Location: PACIFIC OCEAN, US