Amphibious Exercise Dawn Blitz 2010 Commenced

Photo By Sgt. John Robbart III | A landing craft unit from the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif.-based Landing Craft Unit-1 practices loading onto the USS Bonhomme Richard while the ship was at sea off the California coast during training exercise Dawn Blitz 2010, May 24. The exercise is an opportunity for Marines and sailors attached to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander, 3rd Fleet to better prepare for large-scale amphibious assaults. (Photo by Pfc. John Robbart III)  

SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES

05.24.2010

Courtesy Story

I Marine Expeditionary Force

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines kicked off the first day of Dawn Blitz 2010, May 24. Dawn Blitz 2010 is a large-scale Navy and Marine Corps amphibious landing exercise off the coast of Camp Pendleton, Calif., scheduled through, June 4.

DB 10 is designed to train Sailors and Marines in the complexities of Marine Expeditionary Brigade-size amphibious operations, and increase the proficiency of the First Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander, Third Fleet and Expeditionary Strike Group Three, to plan and execute amphibious landings.

A Marine Expeditionary Brigade is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force that is normally comprised of about 14,500 Marines and Sailors built around a reinforced infantry regiment, a composite aircraft group, a logistics group and a command element. An MEB provides unique and agile force projection capabilities that are greatly enhanced when partnered with naval forces, from assaulting an enemy beachhead to bringing ashore food and supplies to a disaster-stricken nation.

The first half of the exercise, which ends, May 28, includes a Supporting Arms Coordination Exercise. The SACEX is designed to enhance the skills, capabilities and core competencies of Marines and Sailors in combined arms operations, which is comprised of complex fire support missions that include artillery, aviation and naval fire support assets.

The second half, scheduled, June 1-4, involves a coordinated amphibious landing on the shores of Camp Pendleton. A variety of Navy and Marine Corps aviation assets, more than 60 Amphibious Assault Vehicles, up to 16 Landing Craft Air Cushion and 4 Landing Craft Utility will participate in this landing, supported by seven amphibious ships.

• Date Taken: 05.24.2010
• Date Posted: 05.27.2010 02:26
• Story ID: 50333
• Location: SAN DIEGO, US