U.S. Marines show off amphibious expertise in Djibouti
<
http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/24MEU> 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Story by <
http://www.dvidshub.net/portfolio/1139270> 2nd Lt. Joshua Larson
08.21.2012 02:57
Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine
Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security after assaulting
a beachhead during an amphibious training raid in Djibouti, Aug. 15, 2012.
Elements of the 24th MEU are operating in and around Djibouti, taking part
in and coordinating various unilateral exercises and bilateral events with
foreign militaries. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious
Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in support of
U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
DJIBOUTI - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted an
amphibious training raid at Arta Beach in Djibouti Aug. 15.
The raid, executed by Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion,
2nd Marine Regiment, was similar to several such raids the MEU has
undertaken since the beginning of their deployment at the end of March - but
it was the first in Djibouti, a small country located within the Horn of
Africa region.
"The Marines are always happy to train in new environments. These training
opportunities show our ability to adapt to any given situation regardless of
changes in the mission or location," said
Capt. Alexander George, the executive officer of Alpha Company.
Assault Amphibious Vehicles carried the mechanized force from the USS New
York and maneuvered through the seas onto the simulated beachhead near Alpha
Company's objective.
As soon as the AAVs came to a stop on dry land, the Marines stormed their
objective, a concrete building a few hundred meters from the shoreline.
But a surprise awaited them.
The building contained a group of other 24th MEU Marines playing the role of
enemy forces. Alpha Company quickly engaged the simulated enemy and pushed
them out of the objective and into the hills behind.
"The raid went really fast, the Marines were quick," said Staff Sgt.
Christopher Woodard, one of Alpha Company's platoon sergeants. "We hit the
beach and I quickly posted my Marines. No sooner did we get set to move when
I heard the Marines from the "restaurant" (the objective's code name)
yelling that they already cleared the building."
In fact, Alpha Company reported "objective secure" to higher headquarters
just 25 minutes after landing on the beach.
"They were great; the Marines were quick, thorough and professional," George
concluded. "This proved our ability to conduct a mechanized raid. The
Marines demonstrated our flexibility on the ground by how they handled this
raid."
Alpha Company is currently embarked aboard the USS New York, one of three
ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which carries approximately
2,300 total Marines of the 24th MEU.
"It was a great opportunity to exercise all aspects of an amphibious raid -
planning, preparation, and execution - with a full mission profile and
outside observers grading our efforts," said Capt. Robert May, Alpha Company
commanding officer.
Complementing the Marines at sea, a contingent of 24th MEU Marines is
presently ashore in Djibouti taking part in and coordinating various
unilateral exercises and several bilateral events with foreign militaries.
The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a
theater reserve and crisis response force in support of U.S. Central Command
and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
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Received on Tue Aug 21 2012 - 17:23:28 EDT
