MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with partner nations, executed elevator operations training during Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, exercise at Camp Pendleton, California, June 28, 2018.
The dynamic training focused on security protocol during air-to-ground movement and passenger loading drills.
The elevator operations training incorporated aviation assets from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, infantry Marines from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, as well as Canadian and Mexican service members.
“For today’s training we did some instructional classes on proper procedure and safety while working with and operating around the [MV-22B] Ospreys,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jordan Tousignant, platoon sergeant with 3rd Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. “We trained together on how to effectively go from flight to ground and conduct the operation. This training just makes sure we're all on the same page and no one is doing anything that could lead to an injury to themselves or anyone else. This training is something we’ve been doing for years – so passing on and teaching others those skills and techniques is pretty amazing.”
The training was accompanied by flight operations briefs given by the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft pilots and crew members.
“Today we learned the skills and techniques used to efficiently operate with and around the MV-22B Osprey,” said Mexican Marine 1st Lt. Fausto Lopez, a platoon commander with the amphibious brigade of Mexican Marines. “This is the type of training necessary to operate safely and effectively. It was a great opportunity to see how our partner nations conduct their procedures, so we can operate seamlessly together.”
This training evolution provided an opportunity to showcase the speed and efficiency of Marines working with their partner nations as an air-ground team; which is a crucial component to the ever-evolving operational ability of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, or MAGTF.
“Today’s training was a complete success; working with our partner nations and learning with and from them is definitely an experience I’ll always remember,” Tousignant said.
Marines training with partner nations from around the world enhances prowess. RIMPAC provides high-value training for task-organized, highly-capable MAGTF and enhances the critical crisis response capability of U.S. Marines in the Pacific.