By Capt. Angelica White.

U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU), embarked aboard the three ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BAT ARG), successfully completed ARG/MEU exercise (AMX). During AMX, the 26th MEU successfully achieved C5ISR capabilities, capacities, and battlestaff competencies across MEU Mission Essential Tasks (METs), to include the ability to integrate with elements of Naval Special Warfare and NATO partners, from distributed locations within the littorals of eastern North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, April 13 to May 3, 2023.

Assessors and evaluators from Carrier Strike Group Four (CSG 4) and II Marine Expeditionary Force Expeditionary Operations Training Group (II MEF, EOTG), responsible for exercise design and control, established a realistic threat-based scenario reflective of the Sixth Fleet and Fifth Fleet areas of operations enabling the BAT ARG / 26 MEU the ability to hone warfighting readiness and increase lethality. AMX is the sixth of seven large scale pre-deployment events within the 26 MEU pre-deployment training continuum that ensures the 26th MEU properly task-organized and capable of executing all MEU Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) METs prior to the final Composite Unit pre-deployment training exercise (COMPTUEX).

Photo: A U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) lands during an amphibious assault as part ARG/Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Exercise (ARGMEUEX) on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 30, 2023. Lance Cpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo.

Within a realistic threat-based scenario, AMX provided an opportunity for the 26th MEU to replicate MAGTF operations on-land and from-the-sea including Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Defense of the Amphibious Task Force (DATF), Expeditionary Advanced Based Operations (EABO), Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), multiple live-fire raids, information operations (IO), strikes, long-range reconnaissance, focused collection operations and operational preparation of the environment, an Embassy/Consulate reinforcement with a security force (SECFOR), to the rapid deployment of the 26th MEU Forward Command Element (FCE) led by the 26 MEU Executive Officer, Lt. Col. Josef Wiese in order to liaise with several Department of State representatives, a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO), and culminating with a dynamic amphibious assault to seize key terrain in preparation for follow-on operations associated with the scenario. In addition to these core MAGTF mission sets, the 26th MEU demonstrated the ability to conduct rapid planning and contingency operations by serving as the “Treasure Coast” theater TRAP (Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel) force and standing missions requiring a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) supporting other forces within the scenario. More so, this exercise provided another opportunity for the 26th MEU to codify common tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and standard operating procedures (SOP) with the BAT ARG and SOF elements supporting the exercise.

Photo: U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embark a simulated enemy ship while conducting a visit, board, search and seizure during Amphibious Ready Group/MEU Exercise (ARGMEUEX), Atlantic Ocean, April 17, 2023. LCpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo.

AMX provided another opportunity for the 26th MEU to exercise enhanced interoperability with East-coast-based Naval Special Warfare units strengthening the habitual relationship between the 26th MEU and Naval and Marine Corps Special Operations Forces and building upon the MEU/SOF integrated lessons learned throughout the entire MEU pre-deployment training program. Elements of the 26th MEU’s Maritime Special Purpose Force completed an advanced MEU/SOF integrated raid course during the first week of AMX, enhancing MEU/SOF-I3 and serving as a culminating event to finalize MEU/SOF tactics, techniques, and procedures and standard operating procedures. The MEU/SOF integrated training continued throughout AMX and provided a more realistic training environment. More so, the integration and partnership between the 26th MEU and SOF throughout the pre-deployment training “work-ups” has enhanced the overall training for small unit training across each element of the MAGTF.

“We have a habitual relationship with East-coast-based Naval Special Warfare units. They truly have integrated into the 26th MEU and are a part of the Team. The MEU is a natural partner for NSW and MARSOC units. During AMX, we were fully integrated and operating as one force on the objective. We have ability to integrate with, complement, and set conditions for SOF and our partners and allies in the region. We used AMX as another opportunity to strengthen our robust SOF-I3 design through the execution of multiple direct actions during advanced MEU/SOF advanced raid training in Fort Story, followed by two full-mission profile MEU/SOF direct action raids against a live aggressor force during AMX.”

Maj. Michael Lowery, Commanding Officer of 26th MEU MSPF

“A forward-deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit is [truly] the natural partner for Naval Special Warfare, Marine Special Operations Teams, and other [U.S. or Allied] Special Operations Forces. AMX provided the 26th MEU with a great opportunity to showcase the relevance, flexibility, and all-domain operational capability the ARG/MEU Team provides a Geographic Combatant Commander, Fleet Commander, or Joint Special Operations Task Force Commander. AMX also highlighted the importance of having a forward-deployed MEU, embarked aboard Navy amphibious ships. The MEU MAGTF, when combined with the Amphibious Ready Group, is the nation’s premier crisis response force capable of responding across the full spectrum of military operations and capable of exploiting the asymmetric advantages the sea provides as maneuver space over our potential adversaries.”

Col. Dennis Sampson, Commanding Officer of the 26th MEU

During AMX, the Navy-Marine Corps Team successfully completed their first integrated live-fire exercise (ILFE), demonstrating the firepower and flexible response options the ARG/MEU team has for offensive and defensive operations within the littorals.

“The live-fire event demonstrates the Navy and Marine Corps team’s ability to defend the amphibious task force and engage the adversary using combined arms fires. During ILFE, the BAT ARG / 26 MEU integrated all three ships, UH-1Ys, AH-1s, MH-60s from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, and other ground elements of the 26th MEU. Moreover, the ship’s force enhanced the capabilities of the BAT ARG to defend themselves against an asymmetrical threat.”

Lt. Cdr. Jesse Packard, Operations Officer, Amphibious Squadron 8

Lastly, AMX culminated with an amphibious assault under the direction of STRIKFORNATO to strengthen relationships prior to the BAT ARG / 26 MEU’s deployment to the Tri-COCOM area of operations – EUCOM, AFRICOM, and CENTCOM. “We’re certainly looking for opportunities to integrate and work with our allies and partners, here at home but more importantly when we are forward-deployed,” said Sampson, “AMX provided our Team with an opportunity to work with STRIKFORNATO, ultimately setting conditions for our success during our upcoming deployment.”

The 26th MEU serves as one of the Nation’s premier rapid response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations, in support of theater requirements of the Geographic Combatant Commander. Coupled with the BAT ARG, the 26th MEU serves as a premier stand-in force with a breadth of all domain capabilities to operate persistently within the littorals or within the weapons engagement zone of an adversary.

For more than 50 years, the 26th MEU has provided Geographic Combatant Commanders with a highly adaptive, potent, rapid response force capable of conducting missions across the full spectrum of military operations – its performance over the years has marked the 26th MEU as “A Certain Force in an Uncertain World.”

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This story by Capt. Angelica White entitled “26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Completes AMX” was first published on May 4, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Courtesy story by DVIDS.

Sparks flew from the whetstone as the battle-ax that is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) sharpened its lethal edge, conducting integrated training on the beachheads and jungle terrain of Okinawa in January.

As the MEU’s forward reconnaissance platoon advanced on their objective during the exercise, the opposite blade of the same formidable weapon – a platoon of Navy SEALs assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) 1 – glinted in shafts of sunlight piercing through the canopy.

They have no names. They have no faces. They move precisely and stealthily, leaving no leaf or branch out of place as they conduct critical reconnaissance the Marines can use for expeditionary advanced base staging and operations.

“A key aspect of our emerging naval concepts is winning the reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance battle at every point of the competition continuum,” said Col. Michael Nakonieczny, commanding officer of the 31st MEU. “As the 31st MEU competes with potential adversaries, we will partner with other elite units, such as these Navy SEALs, to continuously gain contact below the threshold of violence in order to understand their baseline activities. If competition transitions to armed conflict, elements of the MEU will then persist inside the weapons engagement zone and exploit our knowledge of the adversary’s baseline as we sense, make sense, and impose cost on the enemy via organic and joint fires.”

NSW assets folded into the preparations for a motorized raid exercise, one of several capabilities the MEU flexed from the decks of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 ships comprising the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

“Our ability to rapidly assemble our formidable team of Sailors, Marines, ships, aircraft and landing craft on short notice is what makes us the Indo-Pacific region’s premier crisis response force,” said Capt. Greg Baker, PHIBRON 11 Commodore. “We train year-round and recertify regularly to ensure we’re ready to fight tonight – to answer the call not only for U.S. interests but for those of our regional allies and partners.”

Combined with a simulated expeditionary strike from the wings of F-35B Lightning II aircraft embarked aboard USS America (LHA 6), the motorized raid paved the way for a follow-on helicopter raid, amphibious assault, and boarding exercise.

“Even after years of land-based missions, NSW has not forgotten its maritime roots and we are taking the lessons learned – the way we mission plan, rehearse and integrate with the joint force – on the sea, into the littorals and at the shore to support the fleet and joint force for strategic competition,” said U.S. Navy Capt. David Abernathy, commodore of NSWG-1. “This integrated training opportunity with the 31st MEU prepares us to gain, maintain, and extend access in contested environments.”

From the air, SEALs fast-roped out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter onto the immense flight deck of PHIBRON 11’s newest player: USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), a Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base. During the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise, NSW assets and the 31st MEU’s maritime raid force searched Miguel Keith for simulated enemies and illicit cargo, which ensures the ship is safe and seaworthy to turn over to partner-nation authorities.

“Miguel Keith started off as a USNS – it was built to commercial standards – so the fact that it has a high freeboard, the fact that it looks like a commercial vessel, are absolutely germane,” said Baker. “Because the vessel is so large, it lends credence to the use of Miguel Keith as a training and target platform.”

“Through this training we demonstrated the interoperability of naval and special operations forces that are postured and prepared to achieve their objectives in the maritime domain across the competition continuum,” said Nakonieczny. “Together, Navy Special Warfare and the 31st MEU will continue to combine the complementary capabilities of our unique forces to ensure stability and, if need be, persist, fight, and win throughout the INDOPACOM region.”

The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 are the only continuously forward-deployed MEU-ARG team.

Based in Okinawa, the 31st MEU consists of a command element, as well as ground, air and logistics combat elements. Its air combat element, Marine Medium Titlrotor Squadron (VMM) 265, is reinforced by a detachment of F-35B Lightning II aircraft from the Iwakuni, Japan-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121.

Amphibious Squadron 11 is permanently embarked aboard USS America in Sasebo, Japan. The America Amphibious Ready group includes USS Green Bay (LPD 20), USS Ashland (LSD 48), and Miguel Keith. Green Bay and Ashland embark landing craft, utility (LCU) and landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) from Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7.

Together, the 31st MEU and the ships of PHIBRON 11 are operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Story: The article was originally published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service on January 31, 2022. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alex Story with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), patrols through the jungle on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 29, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

Military policemen from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted urban skills training in November with MARSOC instructors. The Marines from the MEU’s law enforcement detachment attended classes, conducted drills, and ran through rehearsals in urban patrolling and close quarters battle (CQB) under the watchful eye of operators from Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command. Read more in “24th MEU, MARSOC Develop Urban Skills”, Marines.mil, November 7, 2016.