The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), all part of the Bataan Amphibious Readiness Group (BATARG), completed a two-week PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) exercise off the east coast of the United States July 19.
During PMINT, more than 1,800 Sailors from Bataan, amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21), amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Assault Craft Unit Four, Fleet Surgical Team Four and 1,500 Marines from the 26th MEU, integrated for the first time to complete a series of exercises designed to enhance interoperability between Sailors and Marines.
“Successfully embarking and getting accustomed to life aboard naval vessels can be challenging for Marines and Sailors who have never deployed on a ship before,” said Col. Trevor Hall, commanding officer of the 26th MEU. “PMINT allows us to integrate into one team so we can efficiently, and safely, execute missions across the full range of military operations from the sea.”
PMINT is comprised of a three-phase evolution and is typically about two weeks of training exercises. The first phase is embarkation, where Sailors and Marines work together to practice mission essential tasks; such as flight deck qualifications, amphibious assaults, transportation of vehicles and gear from ship-to-shore and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel.
While underway, the embarked MEU personnel conducted integrated war fighting operations through a series of planning exercises, surface gunnery and communication scenarios and air defense exercises.
The second and longest phase was the integrated training. This phase included exercises and drills in air defense, land air assaults, communications, boarding, planning and execution, standard operating procedures and testing of equipment.
The final phase of PMINT was debarkation, and involved off-loading embarked personnel, aircraft, watercraft and vehicles from the Bataan ARG.
Capt. Greg Leland, Bataan’s commanding officer, expressed how PMINT is an invaluable training and integration period for everyone onboard.
“PMINT allowed us to build upon our proficiencies in ship-to-shore movements and flight operations and appreciate habitual risk mitigation all while having fun doing our job - building group cohesion,” said Leland. “The diverse set of combat enablers, Big 5 Sailors, the MEU and PHIBRON teammates all gained increased trust in one another through multiple reps and sets. A variety of events allowed us to learn more and appreciate the power of our secret weapon: Sailors and Marines working together to provide unstoppable combat power for the nation. PMINT is the first of a few exercises that will make us a stronger and more capable force so we can support not only the Marine Corps, but also support joint missions, special operations and coalition teams.”
After the successful completion of PMINT, the ships of the Bataan ARG and the 26th MEU will continue the work-up cycle with trainings, ARG and MEU Exercise (ARG-MEUEX) and Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), both designed to certify the Blue-Green team for its upcoming scheduled deployment.