Photo By Cpl. Oliver Nisbet | U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Maritime Raid Force, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit,...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, ARIZONA -- The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted Realistic Urban Training across Arizona and Southern California, Nov. 3-13, 2025. The exercise, involving the entire Marine-Air Ground Task Force and elements from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, assessed the 11th MEU’s ability to respond to a range of contingency operations.
As the 11th MEU's first large-scale exercise as a composited MAGTF, RUT tested the capabilities of 1,200 Marines across a spectrum of scenario-driven missions built to mirror the pressure of real operations. The exercise included various rapid-response missions, such as expeditionary strikes, tactical recoveries of aircraft and personnel, limited-scale raids, and the establishment of an expeditionary advanced base.
The 11th MEU is comprised of a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 3/5; a Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 11; and an Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced).
“The MEU’s objective for this training is to deploy as a Marine Air Ground Task Force and then work together in pursuit of a common goal,” said Maj. Jordan Vargas, assistant operations officer of the 11th MEU.” This is the first time that the elements of our MAGTF came together and synergized through planning, execution, briefing and debriefing.”
RUT gives the 11th MEU the opportunity to prove its readiness, lethality, and innovation in a controlled but demanding environment overseen by Expeditionary Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
“RUT makes us a more lethal force because it brings together all of the assets that the Marine Corps has,” said Sgt. Jackson Intlekofer, a squad leader with India Company, BLT 3/5, 11th MEU. “For us at the squad level, we get to integrate with the supporting elements of the MAGTF who enable us to go into an objective, kick the door in, and do our thing. This makes us much more lethal as a battalion landing team.”
RUT was an opportunity for the 11th MEU to refine its cohesion as a fully integrated MAGTF. By successfully navigating the demanding exercise, the MEU demonstrated its commitment to warfighting readiness, excellence in mission accomplishment, and teamwork. The lessons learned during RUT will enhance the MEU's performance in future operations, ensuring its continued effectiveness as a versatile expeditionary force.
The 11th MEU is a forward-deployable, sea-based rapid response force, capable of providing geographic combatant commanders with the ability to conduct amphibious operations, crisis response, and humanitarian aid/disaster response by sea or air.
For more information, contact 11th MEU’s Communication Strategy and Operations office at (760) 763-3519.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2025 20:38 |
| Story ID: | 551435 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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